After buying and finally owning your dream home, the next step into making
it a good investment is by taking and applying for home insurance.
What is Home Insurance?
Home insurance, also known as HOI [homeowner's insurance] is a type of
property insurance that covers all types of private properties and homes. Under
several qualifications, a home insurance depends on the factors to consider
determining whether what the current owner can qualify for when applying for
the said insurance.
HOI includes insurance on losses occurring to one's home, the contents of
the home, loss of its purpose, or other loss including personal possessions
within the property of the homeowner. It can include a liability insurance
wherein accidents that may happen within the territory stated in the insurance
policy can be covered.
Why is it important?
Home insurance, as stated by insurance policies, covers all the possible
losses and damages incurred within your home property and territory.
Additionally, when disasters or accidents like fire, tornado, storm, burglary,
earthquake, flood or anything relative to it happens, HOI can cover all
possible and necessary fixes and payments to the damages. In most cases,
mortgage companies requires a homeowner to have an HOI before giving a loan
whenever the current owner plans to buy a new house or plans to refinance.
Mortgage companies look for this type of insurance to ensure that the
individual can pay the amount that he or she owed them even after such losses
or damages.
How Do I Apply for HOI?
Applying for home insurance is like buying your new home. In some ways, if
not guided well, an individual may find it a daunting task. But when an
individual is guided well in qualifying and getting home insurance, it becomes
an easy task.
According to a survey in the U.S. 4 years ago, 2008 shows that about 64% of
US Homes were undervalued by their insurance providers. It means that these
U.S. homes were not having enough insurance to fully pay or repair the damages
and loss to their properties whenever a disaster or accident may occur.
So how do you apply for the right home insurance?
1. Shop for the right policy.
Finding the right insurance provider for your home is a good start. It is
like shopping for your best dress for an occasion. Shop around and talk to
different insurance companies. Know their policies, and how they can help you
in protecting and ensuring your home. Identify their insurance schemes in a way
that you think would help you in insuring your home.
Things to do when looking for the right insurance provider:
o Seek help from an independent agent that would guide you in the process.
o Know the types of insurance companies.
o Request quotes from several insurance providers and compare their
insurance policies and rates.
2. Determine the scope of your insurance.
Obviously, knowing the scope of the insurance policy helps you become aware
of what you should only expect from your insurance provider in times that you
may face losses or damage on your property. Always review the contract in the insurance
to ensure that all the necessary agreements were stated in the contract.
Things to do when determining what your HOI does and doesn't cover:
o Familiarize yourself with the basics of home insurance, as well as other
types of insurance.
o Ask questions to an independent agent.
o Always be skeptic of guarantees, promos or any offers that insurance
companies gives to you. Some can be good to be true.
3. Research about government assistance program for homeowners.
The best thing about homeownership is that local governments associated
with HUD offers assistance housing programs for homeowners facing problems
regarding their home properties or ownership like foreclosures. Aside from
having your home insured, local government assistance programs for homeowners
add an extra advantage to homeowners - especially in several calamities like
flood, earthquake and storms.
Mark currently writes for AgentCampus.com - an online provider of real
estate education and training programs in the US to help realtor agents pass
the national exam for realtor licensing.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7406144
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Home Insurance
