Home Insurance

How to Protect Your Outdoor Pool Through Home Insurance

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Many homeowners in Chandler, AZ, enjoy having a pool to cool off during the hot summer months. Whether your pool is above ground or an integral part of your hardscape, owning one comes with significant responsibilities. Protecting your pool and ensuring the safety of those who use it is essential. San Marcos Insurance Group can help you determine the right level of insurance coverage for your outdoor pool.

Standard Homeowner’s Insurance Provides Limited Protection

Most standard homeowners’ policies offer some protection in the event of accidents or damage involving your pool. Policy requirements often include fencing the area around the pool to prevent unauthorized access. Installing a pool alarm can also help reduce your insurance costs. Additionally, pool owners should regularly maintain their pools by cleaning them and ensuring the water has proper chemical levels. This practice reduces the risk of illness caused by waterborne bacteria and viruses. Covering your pool when not in use can help keep out debris and minimize contamination.

Covered risks that may result in damage typically include:

  • Fire
  • Lightning strikes
  • Hail
  • Vandalism
  • Explosions

The dwelling or other structures portion of your policy will cover damages to an in-ground pool, while above-ground pools are typically covered under personal property. However, damages such as pool leaks or wear and tear are not covered under standard policies.

Evaluate Your Policy Limits

If you have a large in-ground pool or frequently host guests, it’s important to review your policy limits to ensure adequate coverage. While some insurance policies may offer high liability limits for luxury residences, these limits may not be sufficient if someone sustains serious injuries. Consider adding an umbrella policy to provide additional protection for your home and pool in case of catastrophic injuries.

If you’re wondering what additional coverage you may need for your home recreational needs in Chandler, AZ, San Marcos Insurance Group is here to help. Contact our office today to explore your policy options and ensure your pool is adequately protected.

Tiny Homes & Alternative Housing: How Insurance Works for Unconventional Homes

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Alternative housing options like tiny homes, container homes, houseboats, and yurts are growing in popularity as more people seek affordable, sustainable, and minimalist lifestyles. At San Marcos Insurance Group in Chandler, AZ, we’ll help you find the best coverage options for your unconventional home.

Why Standard Home Insurance May Not Be Enough

Traditional homeowners insurance is designed for traditional houses. If you own a tiny home or unconventional housing, you may find that standard policies don’t provide adequate coverage.

Types of Insurance for Unconventional Homes

All recreational vehicles, such as all-terrain vehicles, golf carts, and snowmobiles, are eligible to be included in a toy insurance policy. Accidents are inevitable when traveling off-road on your recreational vehicle. Having quality coverage is crucial when a mishap takes place. All recreational vehicle owners ought to have a standard toy insurance policy. It should cover all repair damages and medical care if someone is injured in an accident. Additionally, the coverage must protect your assets if a personal injury lawsuit is filed against you.

What to Look for in an Alternative Home Policy

There are several things to look for when comparing home insurance policies. Liability coverage protects against accidents or injuries that occur on your property. Personal property protection is also important to safeguard your belongings. Comprehensive coverage can protect against a wide range of perils, such as fire, theft, and weather damage.

Protect Your Alternative Home with the Right Insurance

Unconventional homes require specialized coverage. Contact San Marcos Insurance Group in Chandler, AZ, today to learn more about our tailored home insurance solutions.

How Often Should I Undergo a Home Insurance Review?

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Many homeowners in Chandler, AZ might believe that once they purchase home insurance, they don’t need to revisit it unless they move. However, this is not the case. Changes in your home and personal circumstances often necessitate a review of your coverage. San Marcos Insurance Group can guide you on when to review your insurance and make any necessary adjustments.

Conduct an Annual Review

Insurance experts generally recommend reviewing your home insurance coverage at least once a year. A convenient time to do this is in the weeks or months leading up to your policy renewal. Your insurance provider will send a policy renewal statement highlighting any increases in premiums. This statement provides an excellent opportunity to review your coverage and decide if you should switch providers. Simultaneously, assess if any changes have occurred over the past year that could leave you underinsured.

Factors to Consider

When reviewing your home coverage needs, consider the following questions:

  • Have you undertaken any significant renovations or additions?
  • Have you purchased expensive items, such as jewelry, that require coverage?
  • Have you started a home-based business with inventory?
  • Have there been changes in your family situation, such as marriage, divorce, or the addition of a child?

Can You Cancel Your Policy Before It’s Up for Renewal?

Yes, you can cancel your policy and switch providers if you find a better rate. However, check if your policy includes an early termination penalty. Even if it does, you might find that another provider offers a better deal that offsets any penalties.

Let the experts at San Marcos Insurance Group, serving customers in Chandler, AZ and surrounding communities, guide you on reviewing your homeowner’s insurance and ensuring adequate protection for your home.

Insurance Coverage for Additions and Other Residential Upgrades

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A permanent residential addition or any other type of upgrade may require more home insurance. Review your residential upgrade plans. Then, compare home insurance products that will protect you and the materials used for the upgrade.

Your Residential Upgrade Plans

Review your residential upgrade plans. Your plans should outline the function of each upgrade and specify the materials you intend to use when completing it.

During your review, calculate the amount you will invest in the upgrade process. Your investment alone may lead you to choose more home insurance coverage.

If any of the materials become damaged in the future, for example, the fact that you have added them to your home insurance policy can be beneficial. Your home insurance policy may cover the cost of fixing damaged materials or replacing them in their entirety.

Home Liability Protection

A residential upgrade may increase your liability risk. If an addition or another residential feature could cause an injury, it may make sense to increase the liability coverage your home insurance policy provides.

During your review of your upgrade plans, consider any dangers that the upgrade presents. Then, determine if acquiring more liability protection is in your best interest. Compare home insurance products that interest you.

Contact An Agent Who Serves Chandler, AZ

Don’t risk not having enough insurance coverage for your upcoming residential upgrade. Contact one of our agents to assist you with modifying your home insurance policy.

A San Marcos Insurance Group representative will share information about home insurance products. The insurance coverage you select can protect your home against weather-related damage, theft, vandalism, and injuries in your home or on your property.

Residential Coverage for Weather Damage

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Your home insurance policy can provide coverage for weather-related damage. Use previous and current variables to guide you in choosing how much extra coverage you want to add to your home insurance policy.

Consider Past Damage

If your home and property have incurred damage in the past, consider the details surrounding each incident. Examine the amount of damage that your home and land were subjected to. If you incurred substantial out-of-pocket costs for the damage that needed to be repaired, it may be beneficial to increase the amount of home insurance coverage you have at your disposal. The coverage can protect building materials, electrical supplies, plumbing components, and other items installed in your home or on your land.

Account for Current Variables

If you live in a region that experiences an unpredictable weather pattern, it can be in your best interest to increase the amount of weather damage protection that your home insurance policy provides. Insurance coverage protects against damaged materials, leaks, and other issues that are directly tied to the weather.

Assess Residential Improvements

Examine the residential improvements that you have recently made or plan on making in the future. These improvements could affect the amount of home insurance protection that you need.

Property Improvements to Consider

  • Upgraded windows and doors
  • New roofing materials
  • New plumbing, HVAC, or electrical components
  • Weatherization additions

Schedule Your Home Insurance Consultation

Your home insurance consultation may reveal any problems that you missed while assessing your home and land. One of our San Marcos Insurance Group agents will determine which factors could result in weather-related damage. The results will guide them in choosing insurance product recommendations that will provide enough protection. Contact an agent who serves Chandler, AZ, for more information about insurance services.

Home Protection and Home Insurance: Homeowners’ First Line of Defense

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Being a homeowner brings about a sense of security, but it also introduces challenges and responsibilities, and maintaining a home can sometimes prove expensive. From risks of burglary to storm damage and more, unexpected incidents can expose us to potential financial strain. Insurance can make it easier to manage the cost of caring for our homes, ensuring we’re covered when we most need it. It’s why many people in and around the greater Chandler, AZ area trust San Marcos Insurance Group for their home insurance needs.

Insurance: Your Home’s First Line of Defense

Whether the threat is a burglar on a mission or a storm causing widespread damage, insurance serves as the first line of defense for every homeowner. Unfortunately, we can’t prevent someone determined to break into our homes, nor can we ward off natural disasters that leave destruction in their wake. However, we can be prepared. Home insurance plays a critical role in defending against potential threats and risks, proving its importance repeatedly.

Home Insurance Solutions in Chandler, AZ

If you’re a homeowner in Chandler, AZ, or the surrounding area and need home insurance, we can help. Home is where the heart is; for many, it’s also where their most significant investment lies. That’s why it’s crucial to protect our homes with insurance. We at San Marcos Insurance Group are here to help you find the coverage that aligns with your needs and circumstances. Contact us to find out more and schedule an appointment today for the insurance you and your home need and deserve.

Do I Need Home Insurance? If so, Why?

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Did you know that approximately 93% of American homeowners possess some home insurance? Although home insurance isn’t legally required in many states, unlike car insurance, your lender likely requires it if you have a mortgage. Let’s delve deeper into why. If you require assistance in Chandler, AZ, consider reaching out to San Marcos Insurance Group.

Why a Lender Requires Home Insurance

When you secure a mortgage, you’re essentially taking out a protected loan. Your property, purchased with the mortgage, serves as the collateral. Thus, in cases of delayed or missed loan payments, the lender can seize the property to settle the remaining balance. Any surplus amount after covering the debts, referred to as "excess proceeds," goes back to the property owner in Arizona.

Mortgages are generally less costly than credit cards, personal loans, and various other debt forms. This is largely because the loan is backed by a high-value property, reducing the lender’s risks. However, if a home gets damaged by a storm or fire, the property’s value diminishes, increasing the lender’s risks. Consequently, lenders necessitate that a home insurance policy safeguard the property.

The Consequences of Cancelling Home Insurance

Canceling or ceasing the payment for home insurance on a property can result in the mortgage lender procuring an insurance policy and billing the property owner. The terms of this insurance policy may not be beneficial from the property owner’s perspective. Therefore, working with an insurance agent to select a plan is often more advantageous. If you need help in Chandler, AZ, the San Marcos Insurance Group is ready to assist you.

Tips for making your home safer

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Safety in your home begins both inside and outside. Ensuring that you and your family not only feel safe and secure but are safe and secure is vital to your peace of mind. At San Marcos Insurance Group in Chandler, AZ, we provide the coverage you need to keep your home safe from all the financial dangers that exist. 

Tips for outdoor safety

Keeping your home safe from dangers on the outside starts with a home security system. You have no excuse these days for not having one since they are affordable and easy to install. Combined with motion detector lights that cover the entire exterior of your home, this provides the best option. Keeping the shrubbery away from the front of your home is another safety tip that eliminates hiding places. Use the locks that your home has on windows and doors. 

To keep the home safe for visitors, ensure that all walkways are in good repair and avoid trip hazards. 

Indoor safety tips

Safety is just as important inside your home. Falls are one of the most common causes of death and injuries in the home. This means clearing clutter from halls and stairs and making sure that you have adequate lighting. Don’t use throw rugs, which can slip, and keep any extension cords out of the way of foot traffic. 

Keep any poisons, including cleaning solutions, laundry detergent, and weed killers, out of reach of children and pets. Also, keep medication under lock and key and out of reach of curious children. 

When you are ready to change or discuss your home insurance, San Marcos Insurance Group in Chandler, AZ, can provide the service you require. As independent insurance agents, we can offer more choices and competitive rates. 

What Should You Look For When Selecting a Home Insurance Company?

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Deciding on the Best Home Insurance Provider

Your home is more than just a piece of property; it’s a retreat where you and your family find comfort. Choosing the right home insurance company becomes an absolute necessity, especially when residing in the greater Chandler, AZ area. To ensure that your selection meets your specific needs, there are a few fundamental aspects you should deliberate.

Considering Reputation and Financial Stability

The provider’s reputation and stability are the first factors you should weigh before firming up your home insurance company’s decision. Consider insurance companies like San Marcos Insurance Group, recognized for reliability and financial strength. A sterling reputation is a significant indicator of the company’s dedication to quality service.

Tailored Coverage Options

The need for home insurance varies considerably from one homeowner to another. Seek insurance providers that offer a plethora of coverage options that can accommodate your personal circumstances. San Marcos Insurance Group of Chandler, AZ, provides customizable policies, effectively protecting your home and assets.

The Importance of Customer Service

Having a home insurance provider that offers exceptional customer service, especially in challenging times, is a significant advantage. The speed and quality of response can make all the difference when you require assistance.

Local Expertise and Accessibility

It’s wise to choose a home insurance provider familiar with the local risks and challenges. Companies like San Marcos Insurance Group, based in Chandler, AZ, are more likely to understand the specific requisites of local homeownership. Make a sound and secure home insurance company choice tailored to meet your unique needs. We at San Marcos Insurance Group are here to serve you. Reach out today.

Does Home Insurance Cover My Belongings?

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Home insurance isn’t just for the actual structure of a house. It usually offers several other protections, including personal property coverage. Here’s how a home insurance policy would likely cover things in your Chandler, AZ house.

Personal Property Coverage in Home Insurance

Typically, a standard home insurance policy includes personal property coverage. This means that your belongings, such as furniture, electronics, clothing, and other personal items, are protected against specific perils like theft, fire, and certain natural disasters. However, the extent of coverage and the limits can vary depending on the policy.

Coverage Limits and Exceptions

While most belongings are covered under a standard home insurance policy, there are usually limits to the amount the insurance company will pay for certain items. High-value items like jewelry, art, and collectibles may require additional coverage. 

Reviewing your home insurance policy’s terms with a knowledgeable insurance agent is essential. We at San Marcos Insurance Group can help.

Additional Coverage Options

If you have high-value items and want them better protected, consider additional coverage options or riders. These can provide higher limits or cover risks not included in a standard policy.

Protect Your Possessions

When getting home insurance, don’t just focus on the coverage afforded for your house. Also, pay attention to how well a policy will protect those things in your house. Your possessions are likely worth thousands and probably tens of thousands.

If you’d like help finding coverage for your belongings, contact us at San Marcos Insurance Group. One of our knowledgeable agents will work with you to find a home insurance policy with the personal property coverage you require.