My Home was Burglarized and Valuables were Stolen, Am I Covered By My Home Insurance?

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Home Theft Protection in Seattle, WashingtonLike car theft, many cities and communities throughout the United States have seen an increase in home burglaries. If your home is ever burglarized, it is important to understand your home or renter’s insurance coverage.

Home insurance can provide you with coverage for replacement if you have valuables stolen from your home. In insurance terms, this is known as personal property coverage. Coverage varies depending on your policy limits and your deductible.

A Claim is Processed on Actual Cash Value or Replacement Value for Stolen Valuables

It is important to note that covered claims are processed based off your policy verbiage. Often policy holders believe valuables that were stolen from their home will be reimbursed at the same price as what they paid for it. This is not always the case.

Actual Cash Value – Actual cash value is the amount you paid for the item, minus depreciation at the time of your insurance claim. The insurance carrier reimburses you simply off what this specific item costs today. In most situations, insurance adjusters will determine the price of reimbursement is less than what you originally paid. Depreciation is broken down by wear and tear or the age of the item. 

Replacement Value – Replacement value is the amount you paid for the item. It does not factor in depreciation. In a covered claim, an insurance adjuster will reimburse or replace an item similar to what was stolen at today’s price.

Choosing what coverage, you prefer for your policy is up to you. Actual cash value coverage tends to offer a more affordable insurance premium but does offer a little less coverage. Replacement value offers more coverage but increases your insurance premium.

Are all items in your home covered under personal property coverage?

Certain high price items should be covered under a policy rider.

This is separate from personal property coverage. Items such as wedding or engagement rings, other valuable jewelry, fine art, as well as equipment such as high price cameras, bicycles, musical instruments, firearms, or any other valuables you consider high price.

Contact an agent in our office to discuss if you need specific items in your home on a policy rider. It’s important to have separate coverage for these items because home insurance policies do have policy limits. If a high price valuable was stolen from your home, you may be underinsured. Therefore, your home or renters insurance policy could not provide you with proper replacement for your valuable.

Have Questions about Your Home or Renters Insurance Policy?

Our agents are here to answer your questions and ensure you understand your insurance coverage. Contact us for a home or renters insurance policy review.

Tornado Tips: How to Be Prepared

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It’s important to be prepared and know what to do in the event of a tornado. Know the warning signs and how to protect yourself.

Tornado Shelter directional street sign with backdrop of dark and cloudy skies

This time of year, the trees are budding, flowers are starting to grow, and the skies begin to fill with ominous storms. Late spring and early summer are the most active time for tornadoes.

While most tornadoes occur in “Tornado Alley,” in the central part of the United States, tornadoes can occur (and have occurred) in all 50 states. In fact, there are about 1,200 tornadoes each year in the U.S.

While tornadoes can be deadly, there are many things that you can do to protect yourself and your family. Having an emergency plan, knowing when a tornado has been sighted, and seeking shelter are all ways you can be prepared.

Create an Emergency Plan

Have an emergency plan to protect yourself and members of your household during a tornado. An emergency plan is essential if you live where tornadoes are common, but remember, a tornado can happen anywhere.

Know Where to Take Shelter

The safest place to take shelter during a tornado is in a basement or a windowless space in the middle of the structure on the lowest floor. If you live in a mobile home, know a building near your home where you can seek shelter during a tornado. If there are no buildings nearby where you can go, consider building a tornado shelter for your home.

Create An Emergency Supply Kit

Keep an emergency supply kit in your house in case of a tornado. Below are some items that you should keep on hand:

  • 1 Gallon of water per person per day for 3 days
  • Non-perishable food
  • First aid kit
  • Flashlight with batteries
  • Radio with batteries
  • Toilet paper
  • Whistle to signal for help
  • Sleeping bag and warm blanket

See the National Weather Service website for a complete list.

Teach Your Children How to Stay Safe in a Tornado

Teach your children about tornado safety to reduce feelings of panic and help ensure an orderly response in the event of a tornado. Teach your children what a tornado is, how to know when a tornado watch or warning is in effect in your area, and how to shelter at home and school.

Know the Signs and Warnings

One way to protect yourself is to be familiar with the signs and warnings that can signal a tornado.

What’s a Tornado Watch?

A tornado watch is a signal broadcast through local warning systems and the media to indicate the conditions are suitable for a tornado. During a tornado watch, it’s important to pay attention to the radio and television (to stay attuned to the weather conditions) and take shelter if necessary.

What’s a Tornado Warning?

A tornado warning is a signal that a tornado has been spotted in an area. During a tornado warning, taking shelter in a designated area is critical.

Know Your Local Alerts

Local alerts about tornadoes vary. Many places have an outdoor warning system to notify residents that it’s time to take shelter. Know the warning systems in your area and pay attention to alerts during storms or when an alarm is sounded.

Signs of a Tornado

While paying attention to your local alerts, it’s also essential to know the signs of a tornado.

  • Funnel-shaped cloud
  • Large, dark, low-lying cloud or cloud of debris
  • Dark sky or green-colored sky
  • Roaring noise
  • Large hail

Protect Yourself With Homeowners Insurance

An up-to-date homeowners insurance policy is one of the best ways to protect your property in the event of a tornado or other natural disaster. Call your agent today.

Spring Is Here! Time to Assess the Condition of Your Roof

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It’s time to assess the condition of your roof! In this article, you’ll learn about how to maintain your roof this spring.

View of roof with shingles coming off

Now that you’ve made it through the long, hard winter, addressing home repair issues that may have surfaced in the last several months is essential. At this time of year, it’s especially important to assess the condition of your roof and, if needed, to seek roof repair.

Importance of Maintaining Your Roof

A damaged roof can leak, leading to structural damage, mold and mildew damage, wood rot, and more. Once a roof starts leaking, it can be challenging to find the source of the leak. Water penetrating the roofing membrane may roll down until it finds a point of entry into your attic. Sometimes the source of the leak is far from the location where the leak manifests, which makes repairing a roof tricky. You can avoid a difficult-to-fix roof leak and potential damage to your home’s structure by maintaining your roof.

How Long Do Roofs Last?

Some roofing materials last longer than others. Asphalt shingles, one of the most common roofing materials in the U.S., typically last about 15 to 30 years. Metal roofs can last 70 years, while clay roofs can last 50.
The secret to ensuring a long service life for your roof is to perform regular maintenance. By keeping your gutters clean, removing debris from your roof at least once annually, and inspecting your roof regularly, you can keep your roof in good condition.

Steps to Assess Your Roof

You don’t have to hire roofers to inspect your roof. You can perform the inspection yourself if you can adequately see your roof from the ground around your house. Hire a roofer if you must get on your roof to perform the inspection.

  1. Walk around your home and look at your roof for problems such as missing, curling, or cracked shingles, cracked caulking, and deteriorating flashing.
  2. Check your gutters for asphalt granules (if your roof is asphalt shingles). It is expected to find a few granules here and there, but if your gutters are full of granules, it is likely time to replace some shingles. Check for granules at the base of your downspouts as well.
  3. Step back from your home and look at your roof line. If the roof line is sagging in the middle or uneven on one side, this is a sign of a serious problem.
  4. Go into your attic to look for signs of a roof leak. Wet, stained wood is a clear indication of a problem. If the wood appears stained but not wet, this could be from an old roof leak.

Found a Problem? Meet with Roofers

If the inspection of your roof generates cause for concern, meet with roofers as soon as possible. The summer is a busy time for roofers, and the best contractors tend to book early. To address your problem as quickly as possible, make appointments with roofers as soon as you realize your roof needs attention.

Need a New Roof? Follow These Tips

Choosing a contractor to repair or replace your roof is a big deal. The contractor you choose will impact the quality of the work.

  • Meet with multiple roofers before selecting the one to do the work.
  • Check their credentials, including insurance, bond, licensure, and experience.
  • Check references to ensure homeowners who hired the roofer you’re considering had good experiences.

Brush Up Your Homeowners Insurance

Some roof damage – like damage from wind or a lightning strike – may be covered by homeowners insurance. Keep up your policy to protect your home. Call your agent today.