Locating the correct property insurance cover might not rank high on your list of priorities and, compared with such things as investment decisions and estate planning issues, questions concerning the language in your homeowners policy may seem hardly worthy of consideration. However, the more successful you are, the more detailed your asset-protection requirements are likely to be—and the more you have to lose. Suppose, for example, that in addition to your primary residence—a historic home—you also own a house at the beach and a condo in the city.
For example, let’s assume that your properties are in 3 different states, the value of your collection of Abstract Expressionist paintings has risen quickly and you just volunteered to serve as a director of of a charity. Nearly every aspect of this situation could cost you dearly.
The laws governing insurance vary widely from one state to the next, different types of property require specialized coverage and art collections and other unique items might be difficult to protect fully. As if this were not enough, serving on the board of a charity could subject you to additional personal liability.
Safeguarding yourself and your family might mean purchasing additional coverage, but more insurance isn’t necessarily the solution. Instead, it’s important to review all of your needs, think about specialized policies or policy options and coordinate your insurance coverage with other facets of your financial situation.
Here are 6 different shortcomings that could prove very costly.
1. Leaving gaps in your homeowner’s insurance coverage.
Any homeowner needs to look at their coverage regularly to keep up with growing replacement costs. But, insuring different kinds of property in different locations presents extra challenges. If you take insurance from more than one carrier then you might be faced with several different limitations, rules, and policy renewal dates. For instance, the limit of liability on the plan covering a second home may fall short of the minimum on an excess liability policy intended to complement the insurance on your primary home and you may well end up up being responsible for meeting the difference.
2. Dismissing the unique characteristics of your property.
One of the perks of wealth is having the means to own wonderful homes but one of the problems is that they may be hard to insure adequately. Standard homeowner’s coverage is not going to pay for the hard-to-find materials and craftsmanship that is needed to rebuild that 19th century showplace you’ve painstakingly restored. Coastal homes may be subjected to hurricane damage, while a home in the mountains of California might be subject to wildfires or earthquakes.
3. Inadequate insurance for collectibles and art.
Ordinary homeowner’s policies limit cover for the loss of antiques, furs, and other valuables. And although you could arrange additional coverage, insuring the true value of a collection of contemporary art will generally mean buying a specialized policy addressing several critical issues.
4. Forgetting to organize insurance for household employees.
When an individual works for you as, for example, a nanny, landscaper or personal assistant you could have a liability for medical expenses and lost wages if that worker is hurt while at work. Various states require household employers to contribute to a workers compensation fund while in other states this is optional. All The Same, providing such insurance cover might be obligatory for ensuring your financial well being.
5. Disregarding your liability as a member of a board of directors.
Excess liability coverage might help to protect you if you are sued as a director of a charity or, if you prefer to have more comprehensive protection, you may want to think about taking out special directors liability insurance.
6. Not getting frequent policy reviews and updates.
Your finances are not static and neither are your insurance requirements. The value of a collection may rise, home renovations might mean an increase in the value of your home and the re-titling of assets as part of your estate plan or because of divorce, a death in the family, or the birth of a child might require policy changes. Even without any major events, you will undoubtedly need to undertake a review of all your insurance cover at least every two years.
Whatever the level of homeowner insurance you require arm yourself with the best free and no obligation homeowners insurance quotes today.