Orlando, Fla.—The place where you live and call home, is perhaps one of, if not the one asset, you would like to protect the most. Some mortgage lenders mandate homeowners insurance before they will allow you to close on a property.

In Florida, homes are damaged by storms, fires, and other unpredictable disasters—every year. Homeowners insurance can protect you in the event of a kitchen fire, a burst pipe through no fault of your own, or theft of major property. It will also give you coverage from things like hail damage or damage to your roof from other falling objects. Your personal belongings inside the home are also covered, like furnishings, appliances, electronics, and clothing. Most standard policies include four essential types of coverage: 

• coverage for the structure of your home 
• coverage for your personal belongings 
• liability protection 
• coverage for additional living expenses

Structure

Your homeowners policy pays to repair or rebuild your home if it is damaged or destroyed by fire, hurricane, hail, lightning or other disasters listed in your policy. Most policies also cover detached structures such as a garage, tool shed or gazebo. A standard policy will not pay for damage caused by a flood, earthquake or routine wear and tear.

Personal Belongings

Your furniture, clothes, sports equipment and other personal items are covered if they are stolen or destroyed by fire, hurricane or other insured disasters. Items stored off-premises are included. However, pricey items like jewelry, art, collectibles, silverware and others are also covered, but there may be a dollar limit and you may need to purchase an additional personal property endorsement or floater. That way you insure its officially appraised value.

Liability

This type of coverage protects you against lawsuits for bodily injury or property damage that you or family members cause to other people. It also pays for damage caused by your pets. So, if your son, daughter, or dog accidentally ruins a neighbor’s (not yours) expensive rug, you are covered. The liability portion of your policy covers both the cost of defending you in court, and any court awards according to the limit stated in your policy. Also, an umbrella or excess liability policy, provides broader coverage and higher liability limits.

If a friend or neighbor is injured in your home, your policy also provides no-fault medical coverage.

Additional Living Expenses

Better known as ALE, is a type of coverage that pays the additional costs of living away from home if you cannot live there due to damage from a an insured disaster. It is important to know this coverage in your homeowners policy has limits— and some policies include a time limitation. The good news is that these limits are separate from the amount available to rebuild or repair your home, and won’t affect your recovery process.

Talk to our local agents at Orlando Insurance Center, and let them know what your needs and priorities are.You will be presented with options from multiple insurance companies, and be able to compare rates as well as coverage to then determine your path to provide the best protection for you and your family. We can help you save in the purchase of insurance bundles!  Give us a call today at (407) 680-1214— for an initial consultation and quotes from among 20 different insurance carriers who support us! 

Iraida Pedroza, 2-20 Agent

OFFICE MANAGER

"Email me" <iraida [at] orlandoinsurancecenter [dot] com>

407-680-1214 ext. 500