Shopping for homeowners insurance might not be as fun as shopping for the home itself. Many Buford, GA homeowners often focus on insurance prices and fail to balance between price and value. Insurance can be complicated, with many terms and things to think about. At Town & Country Insurance, we can help you with professional insurance advice so that you can make informed decisions regarding home insurance. Here are a few things to focus on when buying home insurance.

Know the amount of insurance you need

Each home insurance policy is different. Your home insurance policy cannot be the same as your neighbor, simply because you are in the same area or bought the same type of house. A lot has to be put into consideration when putting up your policy. Such considerations include:

• Whether the insurance provider is offering actual cash value or replacement costs
• Your coverage limits
• The perils covered and those that are excluded

Know your insurability before shopping

Buying insurance is not just about filling and signing forms. Your insurance provider will ask several questions to know whether you are eligible for insurance or not. They also ask questions to see whether your insurance needs to meet their insurance regulations. Knowing your insurability gives you a better chance to know what to focus on and what not to.

Save save save with deductibles!

When buying insurance, you can save money if you have a higher deductible in your policy. Your insurance company will give discounts and continue increasing these discounts as these deductibles increases. You can compare these discounts from different providers and choose the company with the best deal.

As a first time home insurance buyer, you need to be aware of your coverage, to know the amount of insurance you need and use that as a guide when making a claim. If you still need help to determine your coverage, Town & Country Insurance can help you. Visit our website or office at Buford, GA and meet our expert insurance advisors.

 

Being a new homeowner is one of the most exciting steps you will take in your life. However, there’s a lot for new homeowners to learn, including understanding home insurance.  If you need home insurance in Buford, GA, Town & Country Insurance can guide you through the process. 

Types of Coverage

• Dwelling coverage: your home
• Other property: Other structures (shed, barn, etc.)
• Personal property: valuables inside your home
• Liability: Covers expenses if someone is injured on your property
• Additional living expenses: living expenses if your home is uninhabitable 

Know Your Lender’s Requirements

Be sure to check your lender’s home insurance policy and get adequate coverage. Most lenders will require you to purchase home insurance before you close on your home, and not getting the proper coverage can cost a lot of time and headaches. 

Replacement Cost vs Market Value

Replacement cost is what it would cost you to replace your home. Market value is what your home is appraised for in the current market. Most policies offer 125% of the replacement cost.

Know the Exclusions

Most policies will exclude certain types of damage or causes of damage. It’s important to know what these are. You don’t want to file a claim for something that isn’t covered. You may also want to purchase extra coverage to cover exclusions. 

Check the CLUE Report

CLUE stands for Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Report. It’s basically a history of any claims made on your home, even before you owned it. This will likely be taken into account by the insurance company when giving you an insurance quote. If multiple claims have been filed on the home, you may pay higher rates. A CLUE report can give you this information going into purchasing insurance so that you aren’t unpleasantly surprised when you receive a quote. 

If you need home insurance, call us at Town & Country Insurance in Buford, GA. Our agents will explain everything you need to know about home insurance and help you get the coverage you need. 

 

 

If you are purchasing your first home, you will also need to purchase your first home insurance policy. Since you have never purchased a policy before, you may be unsure of what you need to do or consider before making a purchase. Town & Country Insurance, serving Buford, GA, wants to help you with this purchase. Here are a few important things you need to know before purchasing home insurance for your new home. 

The Importance of Obtaining Quotes Before Buying

Prior to purchasing your first home insurance policy, it is important to get quotes from different companies. Many people assume that all homeowners insurance plans are the same and are similar in price. This is not true. Obtaining quotes allows you to see what different companies have to offer and what the price is for the products that they offer. 

What is Covered and Excluded Under Your Insurance Policy

Another important factor to consider when purchasing your first home insurance policy is to find out what is covered and excluded. Not every event is covered under your insurance policy. For example, flooding caused when a river overflows its banks are typically not covered under your policy unless you purchase a flood add-on policy. 

How to Get an Adequate Coverage Level

Lastly, take the time to ensure you have adequate coverage for not only your new house but all the items stored inside, including electronics, furniture, and jewelry. A great insurance agent can help you calculate what coverage level is right for you. 

Purchasing your first home insurance policy does not have to be a scary or stressful experience. Here at Town & Country Insurance, serving the greater Buford, GA. area, we are here to help you. We can explain home insurance policies to you, answer any questions you have and help determine an adequate coverage level for you. Call us now to get started. 

 

All homeowners policies are different in some ways, but there are many similarities. Your home in Buford, GA has multiple kinds of coverage if you obtained a policy from Town & Country Insurance.

How Much Coverage Your Home Needs

Probably the most important part of the policy is dwelling coverage, which will help you if the physical structure is damaged, such as in a fire. This is going to represent the largest value.

The amount of coverage you would get to protect your personal possessions will often depend on how much the home is worth, and what the dwelling is worth. The contents coverage will usually be between 50% and 70% of the total value of the house. So if your home is worth $100,000, you will probably get $50,000 in contents coverage.

What Is Contents Coverage?

Your home has many items which would need to be replaced in a total disaster. This includes furniture, carpeting, appliances, electronics, and other household items.

Contents coverage also includes personal items, like clothing and books. You will have just as great a need for your personal items as other items that need to be replaced.

Exclusions

There may be some exceptions and limitations, and those will be spelled out in your policy. One normal limitation is that jewelry or fine art usually has its own limit, meaning that an additional policy would be needed to protect such unique items. 

The most important thing to remember is that your policy limits, inclusions, and exclusions are spelled out in your policy. If you have any questions about which of your valuables are covered on your Buford, GA home, you can always call your agent or contact Town & Country Insurance so we can help.

Does home insurance intimidate you as a new homeowner?

If so, you’re not alone. Chances are, many of your neighbors in Buford, GA and beyond don’t understand the ins and outs of their homeowner’s policy either. This type of coverage is based on a lot of varying factors, and it has just as many components. Here’s what you need to know as a brand new homeowner.

Not All Policies Are Created Equal

There are at least 8 types of homeowner’s policies available, but not every one of them is designed for your home. For instance, the most common policy, HO3,, offers extensive coverage for your belongings as well as some liability and medical coverage. However, if you want coverage for items that aren’t specifically listed in your inventory of belongings, you may want to opt for HO4. If you own a condo, you’ll want to purchase an HO6 policy, which is specifically meant for homeowners who have a condo or belong to a homeowner’s association. Your agent at Town & Country Insurance can guide you to the option best suited for your type of home. You should be ready to decide how extensive your coverage needs to be in case of a disaster.

Your Payment Isn’t Based On Coverage Alone

Even if you and your next door neighbor have the same kind of homeowner’s policy, you’re likely not making the same kind of premium payments. The amount you pay is based on some factors other than the type of coverage you choose. These factors include:

• Your credit
• Whether you’re a first-time homeowner
• Whether you’ve made a claim on a home insurance policy before
• The terms of your mortgage.

In some cases, your mortgage lender will allow you to pay for your home insurance with your mortgage payment. If your insurance is rolled into your mortgage payments, you only have one predictable payment to keep track of from month to month.

Also, you may be eligible for some discounts based on your personal circumstances or some aspects of your home. For instance, if you install an advanced smart security system, some insurance providers offer you a discount. Likewise, you may be able to pay less if you’re a military veteran. Be sure to ask about discounts before finalizing your policy.

This quick overview should make you feel more confident about your homeowner’s policy in Buford, GA. Contact one of the friendly agents at Town & Country Insurance to discuss the details of your policy further.

Homeowners insurance protects from unexpected dangers and is always a requirement when seeking a mortgage loan. Policies come in many shapes and sizes, but there are several things the average homeowner should make sure they are getting, and are not getting, from their insurance policy. Here are five things to look for when considering a homeowner’s insurance policy.

Appropriate Coverage

When picking a homeowner’s policy, you’ll naturally have your own budget to consider. You can avoid paying for more than you need by understanding the different levels of insurance, and the perils they protect against. These include fire, windstorm, riots, explosion, damage from aircraft or other vehicles, lighting, and hail among others. 

Understanding Categories Of Coverage

Definitions of a homeowners insurance policy are broken up into multiple categories, usually defined as HO-2 through HO-8. Your insurance agent at Town & Country Insurance serving Buford, GA will have more details about the categories and which type of insurance is right for you.

Discounts

Discounts and the percentage of the discount vary between insurers. Many insurance companies offer a discount for combined policy, age, and other factors. Make sure you shop around for the best discount.

Deductibles

Deductibles are often overlooked, but when you need to file a claim, the last thing you need to do is count your dollars to make sure you can meet the deductible. Figure out what the highest deductible is that you can afford and consider that on average homeowners file a claim once every ten years.

Hidden Clauses

There are some things that you don’t want in your policy. So keep an eye out for these and make sure they aren’t a part of your policy. One example is called the anti-concurrent-causation provision, which when present in your policy means you may not be covered if two catastrophic events occur at the same time, like damage from wind and damage from flooding. In this event, the insurance company may deny coverage because flooding was not covered by their policy.

Be sure to reach out to your agent at Town & Country Insurance serving Buford, GA for friendly and knowledgeable service that will lead to the right homeowner’s policy for you.

A homeowners’ insurance policy is meant to protect you against significant financial losses that you may incur when a disaster strikes. It protects you against losses involving your home and loss of personal property. Town & Country Insurance is a leading home insurance provider in Buford, GA and is here to help you understand when you can claim your home insurance.

In an ideal world, you should be able to file a claim every time an event that is covered under the policy occurs. However, some homeowners avoid filing claims since they fear being classified as high-risk clients by the insurance providers. So, when is it advisable to file a claim?

When there is Loss of Use

Loss of use means that your residence is no longer habitable. If you are unable to live comfortably in your home due to a loss caused by covered events such as fire and hurricanes, be sure to file a claim. Your insurance provider will come in and either repair or rebuild your home in Buford, GA to make it habitable again. However, there may be certain limits on how much you can be reimbursed depending on the type of your policy.

Whenever a Liability Claim Is Filed Against You

Your standard home insurance protects you and your family members against liability claims. If a third party is injured in your home, then you may be sued for bodily injuries. Your standard home insurance policy should protect you against such claims and cover legal expenses if such cases end up in a court.

Whenever You’re Supposed to Settle Medical Bills

You should also file a claim if another person injures himself/herself on your property and you are supposed to cater for their treatment. Sometimes, medical bills can be too massive to settle from your own pocket. However, you need to keep in mind that the medical coverage only covers those people who are not living in your home.

Talk to Town & Country Insurance today for a comprehensive homeowners’ insurance policy.

Braselton and Buford, GA residents who are looking for a new home insurance plan should abide by the following tips when it comes to finding the perfect coverage for their home and lifestyle.

Finding an Optimal Home Insurance Plan

1. Shop around to find the best plan.

You’ll want to get quotes from several home insurance companies in your area to find those with optimal prices as well as quality customer service. At Town & Country Insurance, we pride ourselves on both of these things.

2. Set a budget.

If you are on a budget for other areas of your life, you’ll want to set a budget for your home insurance as well. Plan ahead by deciding on a maximum monthly payment before you speak with an agent.

3. Speak with an agent.

Next, you’ll want to sit down with an agent to discuss your home insurance options one-on-one. Home insurance qualifications differ from state to state, and different lifestyles require different coverage options as well. Speaking one-on-one with an insurance agent will ensure that you find the perfect plan for you and your family.

4. Ask about discounts

There are numerous discounts available for homeowners, from smoke detectors and burglar alarms to free water safety systems and shutter installation. Depending on where you live and which insurance company you go with, these discounts may be available to you, and you only have to request information about them.

Contact Us Today

If you are a Dacula, Braselton, or Buford, GA resident, Town & Country Insurance can help you find the perfect home insurance plan. We have numerous options available, and a number of policies that will be sure to meet your needs. Stop by our nearest location today or give us a call to speak with an agent directly about your options. We look forward to hearing from you!

Home insurance is complicated enough that it often scares people away from asking the questions that will ensure they get the most from it. With all the forms, clauses, and jargon, it’s easy to see why so many don’t have enough coverage for their homes. So what makes for quality home insurance in Buford, GA? Here are some of the things to consider before you decide you have a realistic policy that will be of use to you. 

The True Value Within

Your home isn’t just where you live; it’s where you hold most of your assets. From the expensive garden you planted last year to the collectible toys that recently became popular on auction websites, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to evaluating your home. If a policy only offers the bare minimum of coverage, you may end up wondering how you ended up losing so much after a natural disaster or an unexpected act of vandalism. Town & Country Insurance knows these events are traumatic enough, so you don’t need to add any extra stress on top of them by not getting the financial help you need. 

Here for You 

Town & Country Insurance wants the people of Dacula, Braselton, and Buford, GA to stay protected, no matter what may come their way. We can help you decide the best ways to take care of your things, and we can also explain it in a way that is easy for you to understand. It’s our job to find out what’s important to you, whether that’s your guitars, dishes, or jewelry. Once we know what makes your home a home, we can get you set up with a policy that will cover you. Give us a call to find out more about our rates, policies, and more! Try our online rating tool for quotes on home and auto insurance.