Home Insurance

Can Home Renovations Alter Your Insurance Coverage?

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Major home renovations can have an effect on your homeowner’s insurance coverage. Before renovating your property this summer, talk to your Idaho Select Insurance agent to see how a project may affect your policy. Here are a few ways in which renovations can alter your coverage.

Add to Your Home’s Value

Major home renovations such as replacing your roof, adding a new patio or remodeling your kitchen could substantially increase your home’s value. If so, you’ll need to update your policy to reflect your new property value. This could result in an increase in your insurance premium.

Failure to update your policy leaves your renovations unprotected. If your home suffers damage from fire, flood, storm or other catastrophe, you could suffer financial loss by having to cover the repair or replacement costs of these investments on your own. 

Require an Increase in Liability Coverage

If you’re remodeling on your own or with the help of friends, you may need to increase your liability coverage for added protection against accidents. If anyone gets injured while helping to renovate your home, your liability insurance will cover their medical care.    

Lower Insurance Premium

Renovation projects that make your Meridian, ID home a safer place to live such as plumbing or electrical upgrades may qualify you for a discount on your home insurance due to reduced risk of water damage and fire. A new security system will give you better protection against theft, vandalism and intrusion, increasing the safety of your family and goods. Your Idaho Select Insurance agent can help determine if such renovations make you eligible for discounts on your insurance premium.

Making improvements to your Meridian, ID home will make a more comfortable and pleasing place to live. Adding these renovations to your insurance policy gives them the protection they need.

Giving Your Home that Lived-in Look

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If you leave your home in Meridian, ID for a long weekend or vacation, you want to give it that lived-in look. This is an excellent way to deter burglars. They generally target homes that are empty because it minimizes the chances of getting caught. Idaho Select Insurance offers the following tips for achieving that look.

  • Ask a neighbor to park his car in the driveway. A vehicle by the house instantly communicates that someone is at home. It also clears his driveway for parking by his visitors.

  • Hold the mail and any newspaper subscriptions. An overstuffed mailbox or a pile of newspapers by your front entry tells criminals that nobody is home. Ask your neighbor to check for and remove any fliers or brochures that have been placed by your door and to pick up any packages left by UPS, FedEx, or other delivery services.

  • Add timers inside your home. They can give the appearance of someone being at home by turning lights off and on randomly at around the same time each day. Plug-in versions offer the greatest convenience since you only have to push them in an outlet and plug a light into them. However, switch replacements may be more convenient because they work on the main lights of the home, such as in the kitchen and bath, and double as ordinary light controllers.

  • Hire a service to take care of your yard. If you’re going to be gone for a week or more, hire a professional service to mow your lawn or remove snow. They won’t even have to know that you’re leaving as long as you pay them regularly or in advance.

Despite these precautions, burglars may still break into your home. Make sure you have enough insurance to cover any stolen valuables by contacting Idaho Select Insurance.

Are Foundation Damage Repairs Covered By Home Insurance?

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Meridian, ID homes require foundations to protect them from sinking into the ground. Unfortunately, damage to foundations can be expensive to repair, but we at Idaho Select Insurance can help you understand how insurance can protect you from this investment.

Coverage Can Be Tricky

Foundation damage that occurs over time – such as general wear and tear – is not covered by home insurance because that is considered a maintenance problem. This is true even if your home suffers from foundation repair in spite of maintenance procedures.

Home insurance will kick in when your foundation is damaged by floods or earthquakes, but you’ll need separately polices individual to these disasters. Failure to have these policies will make the damage to your foundation a problem you’re liable to pay to repair.

The Use Of Endorsements Can Help

Endorsements can be added to your policy to help protect your foundation against specific perils that may impact its structure. These endorsements cost a little more to add to your policy but are the most effective way to protect your foundation when it needs repairs.

For example, endorsements could cover you if sewer problems impact your foundation and cause damage to it. However, this is only true if your endorsement specifically covers the peril that affects your foundation. As a result, multiple endorsements are likely to be necessary.

Earth Movement And Ground Cover Collapse Coverage Are Possible

Other specific types of coverage you can purchase include earth movement and ground cover collapse coverage. These policies cover foundation damage caused by the earth and soil around the foundation moving suddenly without your influence, such as the occurrence of sinkholes. While these additions will add money to your policy, they are worth it for their protective power.

If your Meridian, ID needs protection against foundation damage, please contact Idaho Select Insurance. We can help you manage your claim and protect you from serious home damage.

What Home Insurance Can do For You

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Home insurance is something that many people never really think about but it is something that can really make a huge difference in the overall quality of your life and the security of your home. For those that do have home insurance, you might think that it only takes care of your home but it actually does so much for. For those in the Meridian, ID area, the agents with Idaho Select Insurance can help you find out more.

Home insurance helps you rebuild or repair in the event of damage to your home. This means that if your home is damaged by fire, wind, snow, ice, or more, your home insurance can help you rebuild your life and get back to your normal day to day. Home insurance can also help keep you legal and keep you in line with federal and state regulations.

Home insurance can protect your assets and can help you replace items that are stolen or destroyed in the event of an accident or disaster, and home insurance can also give you peace of mind. Home insurance is something that is essential, not only in order to be safe and legal, but also to help you sleep better at night knowing that if your home was destroyed, you are not going to be out on the street or held liable for the complete recovery on your own.

Your home insurance can keep you from being sued for the medical costs of someone injured on your property, can help cover the cost of home repairs, and so much more. For those in the Meridian, ID area, the agents with Idaho Select Insurance can walk you through the insurance options that are before you and can help you determine what policy and what type of insurance is right for you.  

Protect Your Home This Winter With These Tips

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Whether you love the winter wonderland the season brings or you’d rather skip it all together, protecting your home investment is important. There are a handful of ways you can not only avoid potential damage from the snow and wind but improve the energy efficiency of your house as well. At Idaho Select Insurance, we want your home in and around Meridian, ID to be protected. This way, you’ll avoid costly energy bills and other problems. 

Trees Trimmed

This is something you should have done before winter hits. Check the power lines by your house. Are there any tree branches that hang over these lines? Heavy snow or ice can cause branches to snap off onto power lines and the last thing you want to deal with in the dead of winter is no power. Contact your energy company and tell them about the issue. They’ll trim the trees so this isn’t an issue. 

Door and Windows

Apply new weather stripping and fill in cracks around windows. This prevents cold air from the outside entering the home. This will also go a long way in reducing your energy bills throughout the year as well. You’d be amazed as to just how much money this can save you. Plus, it is something you can do all on your own. 

Roof Inspection

Another winter means another season of heavy snow fall. When living around Meridian ID, it can also place a hefty weight on the roof as well. This weight will exploit any current damage to the roof. So, whether there is a soft spot or other damage to the roof, added weight may end up pushing water into the roof which is an expensive repair. Avoid this problem by having your home’s roof inspected. 

How Renters are Affected By Home Insurance Policies in Meridian, ID

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If you rent property in Meridian, ID, you probably want to know about what kind of insurance coverage would benefit you in your situation. Many people think that home insurance will cover them when they are renting, but this is not the case. You should make sure to be as well versed as possible in the home insurance policies of the state of Idaho.

Many people think that they are off the hook in terms of home insurance if they are renting a house or apartment. However, this, while technically true, does not mean that they are off the hook completely. They will still need to purchase renters insurance in order to be protected financially against unexpected disasters. Renting does not mean that the landlord takes care of everything, despite popular belief. Your landlord may indeed have insurance that protects the building in which you are living, but your landlord’s policy will not do anything to protect your personal possessions or pay for any living expenses that you may incur while the building is being repaired. The only way that you can make sure that you are covered in these situations is to purchase your own renters insurance policy. This is different from home insurance and provides different types of coverage. You need to be sure to know that home insurance will not help you in this particular situation, and you need to look into renters insurance instead. Though it is not required to have any type of insurance when you are living in a property that you are renting Kama it is certainly advisable.

If you want to know more about home insurance or renters insurance in the state of Idaho, you can contact the professionals at Idaho Select Insurance,. The agents at Idaho Select Insurance, LLC will be able to answer all of your questions about these types of insurance coverage and tell you everything you need to know about home insurance in Meridian, ID.

Fall Home Checklist: Winterproof Your Roof

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Fall is best known for beautifully-colored leaves, pumpkin-flavored beverages, cool, crisp mornings and the start of the holiday shopping season. It’s also a good time to prepare your home for the next change in seasons. The weather in Meridian, Idaho is beautiful this time of year, and perfect for outdoor activities and catching up on some home improvement chores.

Winter can be tough on your home and property. The wind, rain, frost and snow can wreak havoc on both the exterior and interior of your home. During the fall months, you can do some preventative maintenance to ensure that your property stays safe and your investment is protected.

How Do You Prepare Your Roof For Winter?

Keeping your roof in good condition protects you, your home and your possessions. If the roof needs repairs or maintenance, it’s best to find that out before the rains and snow start falling. Here are a few steps you can take right now:

1. Clean your gutters

Make sure water flows easily from your roof. Clogged gutters can create big problems, damaging roofing, siding and the gutters themselves.

2. Clear debris off the roof

Keep your roof clear of built-up leaves, dirt, branches and other debris that can build up and cause mold, rot and other damage.

3. Inspect it for damage

Keep an eye out for missing or damaged shingles or other roofing materials.

4. Trim branches near the roof

5. Inspect insulation, attic, etc.

If you aren’t sure what your insurance covers when it comes to your Meridian, Idaho home, it’s time to give Idaho Select Insurance a call. Sit down with an insurance agent and find out if your home insurance coverage needs to be updated to reflect your needs. The knowledgeable representatives at Idaho Select Insurance will be happy to help you, contact them today.

 

Packing Hacks to Simplify Moving Day

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If you’re dreading moving day, it’s time to work on simplifying the process. Use these packing hacks and enjoy a simpler day as you prepare to make your move.

Do the Packing and Unpacking Yourself

If you have other people helping you, they’ll be wanting to know how they should pack the items and where they should go. You’ll spend all your time answering questions. It’s easier to do all the packing and unpacking yourself. Then, you can recruit help for the loading and unloading stages.

Try Color Coding the Boxes

Choose different colors of duct tape and then decide on a color for each room of the home. Tape the boxes using the corresponding color. This makes it easy to know where each box should go when you’re moving.

Put Books in Small Boxes

Books can be heavy, so don’t try stuffing them into huge boxes that no one can lift. Instead, choose small boxes for books so no one throws out their back trying to lift those books.

Eliminate Expired Items

Whether it’s makeup, medications, or food, lighten up all that you’re moving by eliminating expired items. You won’t have as much to move and you’ll save yourself the hassle of dealing with that clutter after you move.

Donate Items You Don’t Use

As you’re packing, keep track of things you don’t use anymore, such clothing that doesn’t fit or electronics you just never use. Just eliminate the clutter and donate any good items you’re not using. You’ll help someone else and you’ll make your life easier when it’s time to unpack.

In the excitement of moving day, don’t forget to make sure that your home is properly insured. Find out more about your options by contacting Idaho Select Insurance.