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What is home or property insurance?
Chances are high that you probably can't afford to replace most of your belongings — let alone your actual house — at a moment's notice. That's why it's crucial to have the right home insurance in place in case the unexpected happens.
Finding the home insurance that's best for you starts with understanding how much you actually need. Before you begin shopping around or contacting a local independent agent, determine the following values, because these may impact what kind and how much coverage you want to purchase:
- Total cost to rebuild your home
- Total cost of your belongings
- Estimated cost of having to live elsewhere temporarily due to a covered accident
- How much you could be sued for personal liability
Choosing your home insurance can be a complex and stressful experience. If you need help, Cothran Schoonover LLC has the expertise to ensure you're getting coverage for your home that's consistent with your budget.
What does home insurance cover?
So what does homeowners insurance cover in Forest, VA? A standard Nationwide® homeowners policy will cover damage caused by these perils.
- Fire
- Hail
- Lightning
- Windstorm
- Theft
- Vandalism
As far as specific coverages, a standard homeowners insurance typically includes the following:
Dwelling Coverage
This helps protect the structure of your home, built-in appliances and wall-to-wall carpet from damage. When dealing with a covered loss, dwelling coverage will help pay for necessary repairs or rebuilding.
Personal Property Coverage
From your bookshelves to the television, this is coverage for personal belongings in your home.
Personal Liability Coverage
In the event a guest is injured on your property, liability coverage can help pay for their resulting expenses, such as loss of income or medical bills. If necessary, it may also help pay for your legal defense.
Loss of Use Coverage
Should your home be uninhabitable after a covered event, loss of use coverage can help pay for alternative housing and living expenses while your home undergoes repairs.
Optional home insurance coverages can be added to your policy to help suit your needs including:
Roof replacement policy
Homeowners insurance may take care of some damage to your roof, but Nationwide will also help make sure your roof can better withstand potential problems in the future. With Better Roof Replacement® coverage, your roof will be upgraded with stronger, safer materials after a covered loss.
Other structures coverage
This coverage takes care of the other structures on your property that aren't connected to your home, such as a garage or shed.
What home insurance doesn't cover
When reviewing home insurance quotes, always pay attention to what a given policy may not cover. If you don't know what's included or not included in your policy, contact Cothran Schoonover LLC and we can discuss your situation to make sure you have proper coverage. There may be times that your insurance will not provide payment without the purchase of additional coverages. Here are some scenarios that your standard homeowners policy may not cover:
Natural Disasters
Weather events such as earthquakes and floods are seldom covered by your homeowners insurance policy. For protection against these disasters, you'll need a special stand-alone policy, which your home insurance carrier may not be able to provide. Check with your Forest, VA agency for additional details.
Damage resulting from negligence
More often than not, damage that could have been prevented with proper maintenance is not covered. This could include anything from termite and pest infestations to mold that forms in the bathroom due to poor sealing around the toilet
Situational water and mold damage
Water damage and mold are covered under certain circumstances. If water damage and resulting mold occurs due to something that happened within the home — such as a broken pipe or washing machine — it may be covered, but this is something you should discuss with your agent. Be aware that your insurance may not pay for the actual source of the water damage (that is, fixing that washing machine). Also, note that the compensation you receive for mold remediation may be capped. These are issues to discuss with your agent. If your water or mold damage stems from something outside the home, such as a flood or sewer backup, your policy will need to account for that. A local independent agent right here in Forest, VA can discuss the available coverages.
Home and Auto Insurance Bundles
While you're protecting your home, you might as well protect what's parked in your driveway. With Nationwide, you can save when you bundle your car and home insurance with a special multi-policy discount. With your insurance policies combined, you'll also benefit from:
- Fewer insurance hassles from having everything in one place
- More flexibility to make changes to your coverage
- Opportunity to set up a single recurring payment
- Top-tier customer service from Nationwide agents
Now that you know the basics of homeowners insurance, see how Nationwide and Cothran Schoonover LLC can help protect your home and belongings in a way that meets your specific needs.
Home coverage and discounts
What we can cover
Homeowners insurance can protect your home against theft, fire, lawsuits, weather damage and other covered losses.
Frequently asked questions
How to get a home insurance quote?
If you're looking for a quick home insurance quote online, you can get one from Nationwide in just a matter of minutes. For a more detailed, personalized quote, contact Cothran Schoonover LLC and we'll work closely with you to generate a quote that meets your specific needs
How to compare home insurance quotes?
To compare all of the home insurance options available to you, reach out to us at Cothran Schoonover LLC. We'll review home insurance quotes from multiple carriers to make sure you get the best policy at the best possible rate.
When to file a home insurance claim?
If you're dealing with a dangerous loss or incident, get to safety first. When the situation has passed, and you are again safe, start to file your claim immediately. Cothran Schoonover LLC can walk you through the claims process step by step. Be prepared to have your policy number ready if possible and a description of the damage to your home or personal property.
Does getting home insurance quotes affect credit?
Insurers will do a soft inquiry on your credit when generating your home insurance quote. Nationwide takes every precaution in ensuring a consumer's privacy. Soft inquiries are credit inquiries where your credit is not being reviewed by a prospective lender. They cannot be seen by anyone but you, the consumer, and therefore will not affect any credit making decision. In addition, they do not have a negative impact on your credit score and are automatically removed from your credit report within two years. However, keep in mind that your credit history is one of several factors that will ultimately influence your home insurance rate.
What information is needed for a home insurance quote?
You'll have to supply some basic identification information, such as your birthdate, email address and the location of the property to be insured. In addition, you'll need to provide details on the history and condition of the home, including the date of purchase, age of your roof and type of protective or security devices in the home. An agent at Cothran Schoonover LLC can help you determine what information is necessary and guide you through the entire quoting process.