Home Insurance

Home Insurance: What It Really Protects You From

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When you have a home insurance policy, you feel safe and protected. But what does that policy really cover, and how safe is your Pinecrest, FL area home? At Hamilton Fox & Company Inc. we want to help you answer those questions. It’s very important that you have the right insurance coverage, especially in an area where you can be subjected to a weather event such as a hurricane. Most home insurance policies don’t cover hurricanes, and you need to add additional protection in the form of hurricane buydown insurance. If you have a mortgage, your lender will likely require that, in addition to your regular home policy.

So what’s covered on the standard policy? Most things are generally covered. Hurricanes, floods, and some other types of events won’t be on a standard policy. But if you have a fire, a break-in, or other typical homeowner issues, you can expect to have coverage. Just to be safe, and to have peace of mind, you should talk to your agent and make certain what your policy really covers. You don’t want to get caught unaware, especially after you’ve experienced a serious event at your home. It’s much better to know what’s covered and what isn’t before you may need to make a claim.

If you have questions about your Pinecrest, FL area home insurance policy, come talk to us at Hamilton Fox & Company Inc. We’ll answer your questions and give you information, so you can make an informed choice about your policy. If you need to change, add, or adjust coverage, we can help you do that, too. Our agents are knowledgeable and trained, so you can get the peace of mind and the security you’re looking for in your home insurance policy when you work with us.

Tips for Inventorying Your Belongings When Buying Home Insurance

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At Hamilton Fox & Company Inc. serving Pinecrest, FL, we highly recommend that you inventory your belongings when you purchase a home insurance policy. Creating a detailed inventory list of the items you have in your home can be vital if items are destroyed or damaged and you have to file a home insurance claim. Here are a few tips that can help you with this process. 

Make a Detailed List of Items You Have in Each Room

Inventorying items that you have in your home can be overwhelming. Start by taking things room by room. Create a list of items that you have in each room. When possible, be sure to list any serial and/or model numbers of electronic items. This can help to identify exactly what you have, which is important when it comes time for an insurance company to come up with the replacement value of your belongings. 

Take Pictures of the Items You Have

In addition to creating a detailed list, take pictures of items that you have. This can help to prove the condition that your belongings are in, which again, is important should they need to be replaced. 

Be Sure to Update Your List on a Yearly Basis

Finally, be sure to update your list on a yearly basis, or as needed when you make large purchases, such as new furniture or new electonics. 

Taking the time to inventory your belongings can be important if you ever have to file a home insurance claim. Having the right level of coverage to fully protect your home and the items stored inside is also important. Here at Hamilton Fox & Company Inc. serving Pinecrest, FL, we can help you ensure you have the right level of coverage. Give us a call when if you are looking to purchase a new home insurance policy. 

How Often Should I Review My Home Insurance Policy?

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A lot can happen to your home from year to year in Pinecrest, FL. It’s critical that you keep your home insurance policy up to date. Otherwise, you run the risk of not having the coverage that you think you do. At Hamilton Fox & Company Inc., we recommend reviewing your policy every single year.

There are quite a few things to look at when you review your home insurance policy. This includes the cost as well as the coverage. The cost may vary from year to year, which is also why you should get quotes from multiple insurance companies on an annual basis. As for the coverage, if you have added various components to your homes, such as a pool or a free-standing garage, these need to be added to your policy.

You may qualify for new discounts, too. If you fenced in your yard or added a security system, you have made your home safer. It’s worth mentioning to the insurance company as they may supply you with a discount.

Since so much can happen in a year, you might not think to add them as they occur. By taking the time to review the details of your policy, you can make sure that everything you own is covered. If you have made a number of major purchases, you may even want to add a high-value rider so that you are protected if your personal belongings are damaged or stolen.

You will want to protect your home in Pinecrest, FL however you can. While it’s easy to think that your home insurance policy is enough, you have to keep it updated. Contact us at Hamilton Fox & Company Inc. today so that one of our independent insurance agents can help you with any updates that need to be made to your policy.

 

 

Only You Can Prevent House Fires

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According to the National Fire Protection Association, 358,500 house fires occurred on average in the United States during the years 2011 to 2015. On average for each of these years, 2,510 people died, and 12,300 people were injured as a result of these kinds of fires. House fires have resulted in an average damage of $6.7 billion a year.

Are there ways that you can avoid becoming part of these statistics? Hamilton Fox & Company Inc., serving Pinecrest, FL, has a few tips:

  • You should never let an open flame be unattended. Open flames include candles, fires in fireplaces inside the house, and barbecue grills and fire pits outside the house. An errant ember can lead to a conflagration that will put you and your family’s lives at risk while possibly destroying your home
  • Keep cooking surfaces clean of grease. Grease fires are one of the leading causes of house fires. Try not to leave something cooking on the stove unattended
  • Make sure smoke detectors are in every room and a fire extinguisher is readily available. Stopping a small fire before it becomes a big one can prevent your home from being damaged or destroyed
  • Be sure your yard is clear of dead leaves and other brush that can prove to be a fire hazard
  • If you smoke cigarettes, never smoke in bed, and be sure to douse the spent butts with some water before disposing of them
  • Have a plan for evacuating the house in case a fire occurs and gets out of control. Note escape routes and means of exiting the house

If you have any more questions about home insurance, feel free to contact Hamilton Fox & Company Inc. serving Pinecrest, FL. Our agents can explain the many benefits of having a policy.

Home Insurance: What You Must Know

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Apart from being the roof over your head, your home is your most substantial investment. Home Insurance from Hamilton Fox & Company Inc., serving Miami and Pinecrest, FL, is the coverage you need. Here are a few things that you should have in mind when it comes to home insurance:

Structure Protection Policy

For homeowners, structure coverage is crucial. It covers damages caused by storms, fire, and other natural catastrophes. It is advisable that you insure your house comprehensively so that in case of total loss, you are assured that your home can be rebuilt.

Home Contents

In case of theft or fire, you may lose not only your home but also personal belongings. Most insurance policies will help you replace some of the lost belongings. However, it is your responsibility to provide the list of the home’s contents.

Property Damage

This coverage aims at protecting you from damages emanating from your home to someone else’s property. Your son may accidentally kick a ball which damages a neighbor’s glass door or window. 

Personal Liability

If you get sued for causing property damage or injury, this policy covers the legal expenses of your defense in court.  Moreover, if the judge finds you culpable, the policy pays the court award depending on your coverage limits.

Medical Expenses

When you have friends over, and an accident occurs causing injury, home insurance coverage can cover their medical expenses. All you have to do is to submit the medical bills to the insurer.

Update Your Policy

It is imperative that you keep your insurer informed on home renovations to adjust your coverage appropriately.

Hamilton Fox & Company Inc. proudly serves the Pinecrest, FL area. If you need a home insurance policy, please contact our agents to learn how to get started. Also, try our online rating tool for a quote from home on a home insurance policy.

Building a Deck ?- Is Your Home Insurance Going to Change?

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At Hamilton Fox & Company, Inc. in Pinecrest, FL, We Want You to Be Better Safe Than Sorry

Once you begin a renovation project that includes digging large holes into your deck, it is important to consider what you may uncover in that beautiful backyard of yours. Some homeowners find that they have sinkholes in their yards which could pose a significant danger to the members of the family.

How the deck will be approached from the main structure of your home is an item that you will want to communicate to your agent. Your agent may ask you some of the following questions about your new deck:

  • How the deck will be exited and how many exits are to be constructed?
  • Will it include fencing?
  • What are the exact measurements of the deck?

Adding a deck increases the value of the home considerably. Having a discussion with your insurance agent is a smart way to learn how this undertaking can affect your policy. If you are adding a spa or other expensive amenities to your new deck area, you may want to add more loss protection and liability components to your policy.  

Your insurer may require that you hire a general contractor who is adequately insured against being a hindrance to your home improvement. Through all of these considerations, it is inevitable that your insurance policy will change, but that doesn’t mean necessarily that the rate will increase.  

Come in today to discuss how Hamilton Fox & Company, Inc. in Pinecrest, FL can help you develop a homeowners insurance policy that will be a comprehensive tool in protecting your Florida home. Whether or not you are considering a renovation at this time, having a great policy is priceless as you assume the responsibility of home ownership.