Instead know how to claim your rights and how to avoid getting your current insurance cancelled. Some states have laws prohibiting insurers from non-renewing existing homeowner customers who pay their premiums on time. But in most states, insurers are free to non-renew. Nevertheless, it is only in certain situations that insurers have a legal right to cancel a deal and you should check the contract to see how this situation is regulated in it.
Avoiding Insurance Cancellation
It is often noticed that insurers rarely cancel a homeowners policy before it expires. But if the insured does something like a potential safety hazard on the property, which invites a risk on the insurer, the latter is usually allowed to cancel an existing policy. Nevertheless, such cases are rare and you should know then because they are contained in the policy.
Prevent Non-Renewal Notices
Homeowners insurance, just like automobile insurance, is a necessity which many of us think that will never come to use. But accidents, fire, theft create situations where you pat yourself for having an insurance cover. But keep in mind that filing too many homeowners insurance policies can trigger situation of non-renewal claims. If you are buying a house that has a history of several claims, you may find it difficult or even impossible to buy homeowner's insurance.
You may be a new buyer, but the home seller's history of insurance claims will affect your ability to obtain insurance and the rate you will ultimately pay. As a result, smart homeowners have come to realize that one should not file for insurance claims unless the loss is substantial.
By raising the policy deductible from $1,000 to $2,000 or more, the house owner will be able to save on homeowner's insurance premium. More important, it will reduce the non-renewal risk when the claim is filed.
Replacement Cost Is The Key To Insuring Amount
It is also seen that some homeowners indulge in insuring for the amount of their mortgage balance which is not advisable as the mortgage balance has nothing to do with the home's replacement cost. For example, if you recently bought your house for nothing down with a 100 percent mortgage, you don't need a homeowner's insurance policy for the amount of your mortgage balance.
Cut your liability insurance coverage. Homeowner's insurance policies include liability coverage. For example, if I visit your home and trip over a loose area rug, you could be liable for my injury. However, rather than carry expensive homeowner's liability coverage, you can usually save and obtain better coverage by slashing your homeowner's policy liability limit and buying an additional umbrella liability policy.
In the last few years, the homeowner's insurance market has changed drastically. Before filing claims, homeowners should also visualize the adverse fallouts, possibly policy non-renewal. Homeowners should avoid filing claims unless absolutely necessary. Last, but not the least, consult at least three local homeowner insurance agents before closing on any deal.
