How Much Homeowners Insurance Do I Need?

As a homeowner, you are likely aware of the importance of adequate coverage to protect your home and belongings. But how much homeowners insurance do you need? The answer depends on various factors, including your home’s value and the type of coverage you seek. Integra Insurance Services looks at what homeowners in Huntington, TX need to know about selecting the right amount of coverage. 

Factors to Consider When Choosing Coverage 

When selecting homeowners insurance, it is important to consider several key factors. First and foremost, you will want to determine the total value of your home and its contents. This includes any items such as furniture, electronics, appliances, clothing, jewelry, artwork, etc. Once all these items have been accounted for, you can know how much coverage you will need to adequately protect them in an emergency. It’s also important to factor in any potential liabilities arising from owning a home, such as medical bills or legal fees if someone were injured on your property. 

You should also consider your geographic location when deciding on homeowners insurance coverage. Live in a high-risk area prone to natural disasters like flooding or earthquakes. Additionally, some areas may require certain types of coverage, such as windstorm or hail damage, depending on their particular climate conditions, so make sure to check with local authorities before making any decisions regarding your policy. 

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Considering all these components will help ensure homeowners have adequate protection against potential damages or liabilities from owning a residence in Huntington, TX. If you still have questions or would like more information about selecting the right amount of homeowner’s insurance, contact Integra Insurance Services today! We are here to help!

Don’t Leave Your Most Valuable Asset Unprotected – Get Homeowners’ Insurance

Integra Insurance Services of the Huntington, TX area can provide the homeowners’ insurance you need to protect your home.

Homeowners insurance is vital because it protects your home and personal belongings. In the event of a total loss, this policy would be the primary source of the funds needed to rebuild. It also provides liability coverage in the event of a lawsuit against the homeowner if someone is hurt on their property.

For most people, our home is the largest single investment we will ever make. Homeowners insurance protects the equity in the property. Equity is the property’s value over and above the mortgage amount still owing. As renovations to the home are made, the equity goes up.

Even if your home is free and clear of any mortgage, you still want to have this insurance. If you are sued for any reason, the equity in your home could be lost to another. Keeping this policy in good standing is a way to cover the costs of repairing or replacing your home and its contents.

Homeowners insurance is not a requirement in many states. But most mortgage companies and banks insist you carry insurance. Why? This insurance policy will protect the lender’s interest in the property if the house is destroyed or damaged. Lenders want the property owner to have enough insurance to cover the amount of the mortgage.

But there are a few things homeowners insurance usually will not cover. Valuable artwork, jewelry, collectibles, damage caused by flooding or an earthquake, or identity theft are not covered.

If you live in the Huntington, TX area, contact the professionals at Integra Insurance Services for a no-obligation quote or answers to any questions you may have. You will be glad you did.

Things that home insurance won’t cover

Owning a home is part of the American dream. Keeping that home safe is vital to your financial security. Home insurance offers a lot of coverage, but, like most types of insurance, there are exclusions. At Integra Insurance Services in Huntington, TX, we know our customers, and we will ensure that you have the coverage that will give you the protection you need. 

Earth movement

If you live somewhere with the possibility of an earthquake and damage to your home, you won’t be covered with your traditional home insurance. In addition to earthquakes, mudslides, landslides, and sinkholes are not covered. The good news is that you can purchase additional insurance that will provide you with that coverage. 

Owner neglect

Your carrier has expectations that you will maintain your property. That means doing needed repairs before they lead to damage to your home. Things like a leaking roof that isn’t the result of a high wind event won’t be covered, nor will any damage to the interior of your home. If you get termites, you are responsible since you should have your home treated. 

Flood

Floods affect so many areas these days that they are a real danger to many homeowners. Your home insurance will not cover surface water. If your house gets flooded due to a broken pipe in your home, that is a different matter. You can purchase flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program to protect your physical home and content.  

Sewer backup

A sewer backup is one of the most disgusting things that can happen to your home. Even more appalling is that your home insurance doesn’t cover it. 

Contact Integra Insurance Services in Huntington, TX when you are ready to discuss your home insurance policy and coverage.

What does standard homeowners policy mean?

Researching home insurance, you probably came across a few references to a standard homeowners policy. Integra Insurance Services serving Huntington, TX gets a lot of questions about insurance, but one of the most frequent is “What does standard homeowners’ policy mean?”

The insurance industry provides eight levels of coverage for homeowners’ insurance, from dwelling insurance (H0-1) to historical home insurance (HO-8). The insurance industry refers to HO-3 as standard home insurance. It covers the structure of the home under open peril coverage, also called all-peril coverage.

Although many insurance agencies refer to condo insurance as its own type of policy, it actually falls into the category of home insurance, as an HO-6 policy. That policy protects only your condominium interior and personal property, plus provides liability coverage, medical payments, additional living expenses, and loss assessment. Although you read the term renters’ insurance, this, too, is a type of home insurance. An HO-4 insurance policy provides coverage for your rental unit, personal property, liability, and additional living expenses.

Sometimes, you can’t obtain a standard HO-3 policy for your home. If you have made many claims on your prior home insurance policy, you may only qualify for an HO-1 insurance policy. It only covers 10 named perils. Also called dwelling insurance, it only covers the physical structures on your property. Older homes with historic or architectural significance combine dwelling insurance level coverage with liability and personal property coverage plus medical payments and additional living expenses coverage.

Sometimes, you don’t want the coverage of HO-3 and we have options for that. HO-2 insurance lets you skip liability insurance and protect the home and your personal property against major named perils. If you only want to cover the structure and your personal property, you can choose an HO-5 policy.

Call Integra Insurance Services serving Huntington, TX, today to discuss your home insurance. Let us help you choose the home insurance policy to protect your largest financial investment – your home.

4 Overlooked Home Insurance Facts

Integra Insurance Services provides coverage to the Huntington, TX community and the surrounding areas. Life is often full of unpredictability. We strive to help our clients find the necessary coverage to protect them when adversity arises. We have working relationships with various carriers throughout the South. Providing great customer service is important to us.

Overlooked Home Insurance Facts

Home insurance gives you peace of mind if something happened to your Huntington TX property. The policy protects your home against potential structural damage. You are covered if your home is damaged due to a fire or natural disaster, such as a tornado. All of your personal items are covered if you are a victim of theft. If you have multiple luxury possessions inside your home, you’ll need to amend your policy in order to fully cover those items if something happens to them. Liability coverage protects you if you accidentally damage your neighbor’s property or a guest is injured while visiting your home. While you are researching coverage, consider these overlooked home insurance facts.

Home Insurance Covers Your Pets

Home insurance covers you if your pet injures someone on your property. The liability coverage steps in to take care of the injured party’s medical treatment.

Falling Objects

Home insurance covers any damage to your home due to a falling object. As a Huntington, TX resident, you are aware that severe weather could move through the area at any moment. If a storm causes a large tree branch to cause damage, you are covered.

Alternative Living Coverage

Home insurance covers you if your property suffers serious damage, and you have to stay somewhere else until the repairs are finished.

Connected Structures

Home insurance covers any damage to a connected structure such as a garage or fence.

Why Home Insurance is a Good Idea in Texas

Buying a home in the great state of Texas is an achievement like no other. Settling down in the Lone Star State is something many people only dream about – and you’ve done it! 

Now that you own a home, you’ve got to insure it properly with the right coverage for your family and your needs. 

Why Insurance for My Home?

Rules and regulations aside, home insurance provides the peace of mind that even a cushioned bank account can’t. Home insurance takes care of you in the event that something bad happens, be that a natural disaster, fire, theft, vandalism, or anything in between. Money runs out, but your insurance policy won’t if you have the right coverage. 

Residents of Huntington, TX should do their due diligence and look into their current policies and see what is missing or needs to be updated. Integra Insurance Services is happy to evaluate your plan and help you shop for a better policy with more thorough coverage. We are living in difficult times, and you don’t want to put yourself in the line of potential financial hardship by failing to properly insure your home. 

From protecting your personal belongings to your valuables within the home, to the structures on your property like a shed or pool, to liability coverage that saves you if someone gets injured on your property. These are just a few of the coverage options that a quality home insurance policy offers, and you should prioritize investing in one if you haven’t already. 

If you live in Huntington, TX and are in the market for a better home insurance plan, Integra Insurance Services is here for you. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us and we’ll take care of you. 

How to Get the Best out of Your Home Insurance Policy

Whether it’s shopping, healthcare, education, or insurance, when you pay money, you expect value for it. And now that you pay your home insurance every year, how can you get the best out of your home insurance plan? Harnessing the power of your homeowner’s insurance policy ensures that it’s worth every penny. Besides, it helps you steer clear of surprises when filing a claim.

Ready to get the best out of your home insurance in Huntington, TX? Here is what Integra Insurance Services has to say.

Understand your insurance needs

Before buying or renewing your insurance, understand your risk profile. This way, you will avoid purchasing excess coverages that you don’t need. Plus, it becomes easier when explaining to your insurer the coverages you need in your home insurance policy.

Understand your policy

Your policy document is the bible of your insurance plan. As such, you need to understand every clause. Get to know what’s covered and what risks are excluded from your policy. This gives you clarity in case you need to add endorsements to boost your home insurance plan.

Update your policy regularly

If you buy and keep renewing your home insurance policy without updating it, the chances are that your current insurance needs aren’t taken care of. We advise our clients to review their insurance policy every year, but if the following happens before a year lapses, inform your insurance agent:

• You add a pet that can cause injury, for example, certain breeds of dogs.

• You start a home-based business.

• You undertake significant renovations.

• You include amenities like a swimming pool that can cause injury.

Choose a reliable insurance agent

Picking a partner that you can trust is essential. A knowledgeable and trustworthy agent assesses your insurance needs and advises you on coverages to purchase. They also help you take advantage of the best deals in the market.

Looking for a dependable insurance agent in Huntington, TX? Look no further than Integra Insurance Services for all your home insurance needs.

How Much Home Insurance Should I Have?

When you invest in a home, for many people it is the largest investment they ever make. Protecting that investment requires having the right home insurance. How much home insurance you should have is determined by several factors. At Integra Insurance Services in Huntington, TX our passion lies in serving and protecting our clients from many things that can affect their financial stability. We aim to create a long-term relationship by giving you the customer service you deserve. 

If you have a mortgage your lender will require you to have liability and building coverage, these may be very minimum requirements.  The sad fact is that 60% of homeowners are underinsured by as much as 20%. 20% may not sound like much but when you think hundreds of thousands of dollars; it is a lot of money. If you file a claim and your limit is too low, you won’t get enough to replace what needs replacing. You need:

  • Enough money to rebuild your house
  • Replace your stuff
  • Cover damage or injuries that happen on your property
  • Pay your living expenses if you can’t stay at home

The rebuilding cost of your home is just that, not the value of your home. These two figures are not the same, and you don’t want to have to settle for less than you already have. You need to know your square footage and the average building cost per square foot in your area. 

Do any inventory to get a better idea of how much stuff you have and how much it will take to replace it. Keep in mind your policy limit on certain items like jewelry and electronics. 

With liability coverage, get as much as you can afford. 

Additional living expenses should be between 10%-30% of your property coverage. 

In Huntington, TX, contact Integra Insurance Services for all your home insurance needs. 

Protect your Texas home with a comprehensive home insurance policy

Homeowners in the Huntington, TX community turn to Integra Insurance Services for all of their insurance needs. If you are an area resident who is unsure if their home policy provides the comprehensive coverage you desire, we can help! Keeping one’s house insurance policy up-to-date is an important part of homeownership, and as such, policies should be reviewed on a regular basis.

Is it time for a more comprehensive home insurance policy?

Many homeowners review all of the policy options available to them when they first purchase their house. But, as time goes on, it is common for residents to simply renew the same policy year after year. Because of this, some people may find that their home policy has not kept up with their coverage needs. Don’t let this happen to you! 

House insurance policies may not need dramatic changes, but it is a good idea to perform a policy review on a regular basis. There are many features and benefits that may now be appropriate for your current needs that you may not have considered. A comprehensive policy picks up where your basic one lets off and increases the level of protection for your family home. With a comprehensive policy that meets your current coverage levels, you can rest easy that you and your family have the protection you need. 

Regular policy reviews can help to identify any gaps or shortfalls in coverage before they become a problem. Why not upgrade your policy today?

Rely on Integra Insurance Services

Huntington, TX residents turn to our knowledgeable and helpful agents for all of their home insurance needs. If it’s time for you to upgrade your current policy to one that provides more comprehensive coverage, give us a call today!

Tips for getting your home ready for winter

Your home is a major investment and making sure it is always protected from as many things that can go wrong as possible is important. There are many ways you can protect your home. Doing the necessary maintenance is one and having a good home insurance policy is another. How can you tell if you have a good home insurance policy? If you live in Huntington, TX, you can talk to the knowledgeable team at Integra Insurance Services. They will provide the information you need to make an informed decision and welcome you into the Integra family. 

Check the chimney

If you have a fireplace and you want to use it, you must make sure that not only is your chimney in good repair but that it is clean. Having a chimney fire can cause a lot of damage and it is easily avoidable with proper maintenance. 

Clean the gutters

One of the hallmarks of Fall is the beautifully colored leaves. Those same leaves end up falling on to your roof and eventually end up in your gutters and downspouts. This is not a good thing and can lead to water backing up and causing damage to not only your roof but potentially your walls and ceilings.  

Change the batteries

This is the time of year to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon dioxide detectors. They should be changed twice a year to provide safety. 

Tune-up the furnace

Having your furnace working at maximum efficiency saves you money and provides a safe home for your family. This involves cleaning  the main unit and changing the filters

At  Integra Insurance Services in Huntington, TX, we look forward to working with you to make sure you have the right home insurance. As independent agents, we can provide more choices and we will give you a quality home insurance quote at our office, on the phone, or online.