Category: Homeowners Insurance

Unexpected Homeowners Insurance Coverages You May Not Be Aware Of

At ASZ International Inc. in Westchester, NY, we understand that when searching for a homeowners insurance policy, you’re primarily seeking protection against standard risks such as tornadoes, fires, theft, and hail. However, additional optional coverages are needed, such as providing financial protection against events like floods or earthquakes. Here, we reveal some unexpected coverages your homeowner policy might offer to boost your peace of mind.

Dog Bites

Surprisingly, home insurance policies typically cover liability for dog bites up to the limits of your policy’s liability coverage. This is essential, as there are always potential liability risks when you invite guests to your home.

Identity Theft

Identity theft coverage is a standard part of many homeowners’ insurance policies. Some insurance companies offer extended coverage beyond the typical limit. This coverage helps defray expenses associated with identity theft, such as legal fees, lost wages, and notary fees necessary to restore credit.

Hotel Costs After Loss

Suppose damage to your home is so severe that it’s deemed unlivable during repairs. In that case, your homeowner’s policy generally covers hotel costs for a set period under the Additional Living Expense (ALE) section.

Legal Defense

Suppose a visitor injures themselves on your property — perhaps due to a trampoline or swimming pool — and brings a lawsuit against you. In that case, your liability coverage typically covers legal defense costs up to a set limit if you’re found liable.

Damage From Falling Objects

Damage from falling objects — even something as unexpected as a meteorite — is typically covered under standard home insurance policies.

Spoiled Food

Should an extended power outage lead to food spoilage in your refrigerator or freezer, your policy usually covers the cost of replacing the spoiled food once electricity has been restored.

Gravestones

Your home insurance policy often covers Gravestones and urns, even if they’re located off your property. Your policy covers repairing or replacing these items if they’re vandalized, damaged, or stolen.

Reach Out to Us for Clarification

If you have any queries or concerns about what is covered under a homeowners policy, feel free to call ASZ International Inc. in Westchester, NY, at (800) 694-0279.

If you’re currently paying a home mortgage, then you are aware of the importance of homeowners insurance. Even though your mortgage company requires homeowner’s insurance, you may not know what this type of insurance covers. Here is an overview of what homeowners insurance covers.

Damage to Your Home

There are different levels of homeowners insurance, but even the most basic plan covers damage to your home. This damage could be a result of fire, vandalism, or any number of other possibilities. Flooding is typically not covered under basic homeowners insurance plans, but adding it to your base plan is possible. Homeowners’ insurance typically doesn’t cover damage caused by lack of maintenance, and the thorough investigation that will be provided after a claim is filed will reveal whether this is an issue.

Liability Coverage for Injuries on Your Property

Most homeowners insurance plans will also provide liability coverage if someone outside your home is injured on your property. Perhaps a neighbor is bitten by your dog while on your property, or your newspaper delivery person slips on ice and breaks an arm because your snow and ice weren’t properly cleared away. In either of these scenarios, as well as others, your insurance policy will cover their medical costs and more. 

When Additional Insurance is Necessary

Here are some things that may require you to purchase insurance in addition to a standard plan because, like flooding, these aren’t usually covered:

• Expensive jewelry
• Valuable artwork
• Identity theft
• Damage caused by an earthquake

Now that you know what homeowners insurance covers, you might be interested in switching to a new insurance company. If your home is in the Westchester, NY area, ASZ International Inc. can provide a quote, as we offer homeowners insurance and other types of insurance. Hopefully, the price we quote you will be affordable, and you will decide to try us. 

Do you live in an area that’s prone to flooding? Then your home may be at risk of property damages, financial losses, and other related issues. Water damage becomes expensive, costing homeowners thousands of dollars in repair costs. Sometimes, the best solution is to create a plan that prepares against a flood. At ASZ International Inc., our team is discussing the different options that a homeowner has in the event of flooding – including a comprehensive insurance package.

Prepare an Emergency Kit

The emergency kit is an immediate first aid kit that helps the homeowner during a flood. The kit should include emergency contacts, canned food, batteries, warmers, personal identification, or an insurance certificate. For your emergency kit, come up with a list of supplies needed when an area of the house is compromised in this way.

Minimize the Potential Losses

You can renovate your home to prevent significant losses from happening. This process often involves waterproofing your basement, redesigning doors and windows, or clearing the house gutters. Some people even opt to design the foundation to prevent cracks from forming. 

Find an Insurance Plan that Covers Disaster Relief

Insurance will provide financial protection against a flood. While looking for home insurance, you should search for policies that pay for disaster relief, possession loss, or water damage to a residence. 

Buying Flood Insurance in Westchester, NY

ASZ International Inc is an agency that provides flood insurance. Our plans will pay for property damages and financial losses related to the flooding. If you’re interested in hearing more, contact our agency at 800-694-0279. We’d be happy to schedule an appointment with one of our agents.

Home may be where the heart is, but it is also where many injuries happen. Many of them are avoidable if the hazards in your home are reduced. We believe in inspiring one American dream at a time at ASZ International Inc. in Westchester, NY. No matter the size of your dream. We are an independent agency, and service to our customers is what we specialize in. 

Remove clutter

Falling is one of the most dangerous hazards in your home. Clutter makes falling a more significant risk than it needs to be. Try to keep clutter off of stairs and in hallways leading to stairs. Falls are the second leading cause of death in the home, resulting in 28,100 people losing their lives in 2020. 

Improve lighting

To reduce the danger of hazards in your home, you need to be able to see them. It is dangerous to be stumbling around in a dark house. 

Reduce fire risk

Fire is a hazard everyone wants to avoid. You should have your chimney cleaned and make sure that your smoke detector is working and has backup batteries. A working carbon monoxide detector is also vital to your safety and your family if you have a furnace. 

Keep poison out of reach.

Poison is the number one killer in the home. Almost 70,000 people died from poisoning in 2020. There are things you can do in your home to avoid this hazard. Never leave cleaning supplies in an unlocked cabinet. Make sure they are locked away. Medicine should not be left where children and teens can get their hands on them. Any poisons you use to keep pets, weeds, or anything else must be kept in a very safe place. 

Contact ASZ International Inc. in Westchester, NY to get the personalized customer service you deserve.