Posts Tagged ‘Policyholders’
Home Insurance Rate – What To Look For When Shopping
Homeowner insurance premiums are on the rise. There was a time when the home policy was the best and least expensive of all the property and casualty insurances. The homeowner policy is under attack. There are many more exposures than ever before. Toxic mold has caused some real problems in some areas of the country and caused the premiums to rise dramatically. Some states exclude coverage for toxic mold entirely. Natural disasters have had an affect on rates. The recent barrage of hurricanes has caused supply shortages and these shortages increase the demand and the price for repairs. These expenses are passed on to the policyholders eventually.
The rates are calculated by insurance company fiduciaries. They look at the cost of claims and the cost of doing business and compare it to the company revenue to come up with your rate. You have no control over how the companies derive their rates. They have to get approval from their state insurance departments before setting rates or increases. They cannot arbitrarily come up with a figure.
What Can You Do?
1.Understand Your Policy – Make sure that you know what kind of policy that you have right now. If you are making your first purchase then you need to research the kind of policy that you want. Replacement cost or Actual Cash value are your two major choices. Replacement Cost policies replace your structure or contents with material of like kind or quality with no depreciation. The actual cash value policy settles your loss by taking the replacement cost and subtracting depreciation because of age or use.
2.Self Insure – The best way to purchase insurance is to self-insure by using the highest deductible that you can afford. Homeowner policies have a much lower frequency of claims as compared to auto insurance. Low deductibles no longer justify the higher premium.
Use your declarations page when you comparison shop and make sure that you receive all the discounts. Multi-policy, protective device discounts, and retirement discounts are available on almost all homeowner policies. Check our recommended insurers for rates.
Tags: Auto Insurance, Barrage, Declarations Page, Deductibles, Depreciation, Doing Business, Exposures, Home Insurance Rate, Homeowner Insurance, Homeowner Policies, Homeowner Policy, Hurricanes, Insurance Company, Insurance Premiums, Natural Disasters, Policyholders, Property And Casualty, State Insurance Departments, Supply Shortages, Toxic MoldRelated posts
Affordable Homeowners Insurance In Arizona
Finding affordable insurance in the state of Arizona may not be as difficult as you think as long as you are armed with a bit of insurance information. If you know how the insurance companies think, it will be easier to present your home in a way favorable to your insurer. Here are a few tips:
1.Check your credit: Did you know that insurance companies in Arizona have the right to check your credit and use that information in determining your insurance rate? According to insurance company statistics, credit rating is a good indication as to whether or not you will submit many and large claims. They have found that policyholders with poor credit tend to put in more claims than policyholders with good credit.
2.Seek discounts: If you are a member of a professional association, you may be entitled to insurance premium discounts. Some companies offer credits to senior citizens 55 and over. Ask your insurance company which credits you may qualify for.
3.Do not insure the land: In the event of a total loss, the land will still be there. Do not include the value of the land in your policy limit. Remember, the insurance company’s goal is to help you to return to a pre-loss state. If your house burns to the ground, remember, the ground is not affected.
4.When you find a company you like, stick with them. Insurance companies reward their loyal customers in the form of credit discounts.
5.Upgrade your house: If you live in an older home and you have upgraded your plumbing and electrical systems, let your insurance company know. The chances of them having to pay a claim because of a burst pipe or an electrical fire will decrease dramatically. All new systems can translate to premium savings.
6.Shop: Always shop around. The same risk rated by two different insurance companies may produce two different premiums. Search and compare.
Tags: Affordable Insurance, Burst Pipe, Company Statistics, Credit Rating, Electrical Fire, Electrical Systems, Homeowners Insurance, Insurance Companies, Insurance Company, Insurance Premium, Insurance Rate, Insurer, Loyal Customers, Plumbing, Policyholders, Poor Credit, Premiums, Professional Association, Senior Citizens, State Of Arizona