Purchasing Homeowner Insurance
Whether you stay with your current insurer or
switch, you can lower your rate without sacri-
Y
By Steve Papola, Allstate Agent
Yes, it’s pretty quiet on the home insurance front. For
years, insurance companies have played a game of chicken
with policyholders who dare to use their insurance. They’ve
threatened to raise premiums -- or refuse to renew your policy
-- when you make too many claims.
Homeowners insurance rates typically rise a bit each year
-
pect your rate to go up even more for several years. Having
one claim unrelated to a widespread catastrophe within the
past three years on your record can knock you out of the run-
nearly impossible to switch. A slew of factors can affect your
rate, many of which are out of your control. For example,
your claims history, your home’s construction, its safety features
and other considerations.
Want To Save Without Switching? If you’re happy with
your current insurer, there are ways to trim your premium
-
ductible of at least $1,000, or a higher one if you can afford it.
Ask your agent or insurer if you are getting every discount
you are eligible for. Bundling your auto and home policies
with the same insurer is usually a good way to save about
policies separately as well, because sometimes
a company will offer a lower rate
on home than on auto, or vice versa.
Staying loyal to one insurer -- and to
one agent for the long haul has its perks.
“If you have two unexpected claims in
one year after being claims-free for 10
years, the insurer will be a lot more le-
and if you have “guaranteed replacement
you may not be able to replicate it with
another company.
A Good Time to Switch is When:
or more -- is one good reason to start
shopping around. It’s also worth looking
around after you’ve made substantial
upgrades to your home, such as installing
new safety features, or when you’ve
undergone a major life change. Even if
you’ve made claims within the past three
years, you may be able to lower your premium
with some insurers, an Agent can
assess your chances, but be sure you are
shopping for the same coverage.
Building a Solid Policy: In addition
to the coverages listed here, all policies
have a loss of use provision that will typ-
limit for you to live elsewhere while your
home is being repaired (you might want
Dwelling: Your dwelling limit is based on the estimated
cost to rebuild your home, not its market value (or the val-
of the estimated cost to rebuild. Rather than regular replacement
cost, which will pay up to your dwelling limit, choose
guaranteed replacement cost, which will pay the full cost of
rebuilding your home to the same level of construction and
quality as before (it will add about $50 to $100 to your pre-
you’ll be covered for a broader array of issues, such as water
damage caused by rain entering an open window. It will like-
extra amount needed to rebuild your home to comply with
new building codes.
Personal Property: The limit on personal property, or
coverage limit. Replacement cost is preferable to actual cash
value, which pays only the depreciated value. It costs about
add extra coverage for expensive items, such as jewelry, art,
musical instruments or antiques, which are usually covered
for less than their actual value and may have other limitations.
Detached structures, such as a garage, shed, fence or
limit.
Liability:
and found at fault for personal injury to others or for damag-
Protect Your Passions
AUTO HOME BOAT MOTORCYCLE
Your Choice Auto
• Accident Forgiveness
• Sign Up Bonus
• Deducible Rewards
• Safe Driving Bonus
Home Owners, Rental and Flood
• Bundle policies and save money
• Just an inch of water can cause costly damage
and hurricane season is upon us!
• 30 day wait on flood insurance, so call today!
DON’T THINK YOU QUALIFY FOR ALLSTATE? YOU’D BE SURPRISED!
Call us at (813) 995-6013 or Toll Free: (888) 995-6019
Call real people who work hard to get you the best rates.
STEVE PAPOLA, AGENT
Centurion Insurance and
Financial Services, Inc.
SARA VANDERCAR
Senior Protection
Specialist (OFM)
Don’t waste time with online quotes.
1528 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Suite 102
Lutz, FL 33549
www.agents.allstate.com/steve-papola
34 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018 813.682.9364 FLORIDA WOMEN MAGAZINE
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