What Are Other Structures and When Should You Ensure They Are Covered By Your Homeowners Insurance Policy?

At San Marcos Insurance Group, serving the greater Chandler, AZ, we are committed to helping homeowners find the right home insurance policies for their needs. One of the best ways to do this is by answering homeowners’ questions about their policies. We are often asked what other structures mean in a home insurance policy and why it is vital to ensure your homeowners’ insurance policy covers your other structures. Read on to get the answer to this question. 

What Are Other Structures? 

Regarding home insurance, other structures refer to the structures on your property that may not be attached directly to your home. Some examples of different structures include detached garages, sheds, barns, gazebos, pools, hot tubs, driveways, sidewalks, fences, and permanently installed or anchored docks. 

Why Is It Important to Ensure Your Policy Covers Other Structures? 

Most home insurance policies cover other structures, but not all of them do. As such, it is important to review your policy and find out if other structures are included or excluded from your policy. If your policy excludes them, you may have to pay out of pocket if an unexpected event damages these structures. Reviewing your policy helps you to understand what is and is not covered. 

If you have other structures on your property and are unsure if they are covered, the San Marcos Insurance Group team, serving the greater Chandler, AZ area, can help you determine if they are covered. If they are not covered, we can help you find a home insurance policy that covers them. Call or email us today to schedule an appointment to discuss your home insurance policy. 

5 Common Mistakes People Make When Purchasing Home Insurance

Homeowners insurance is an integral part of any home purchase. It protects the homeowner against potential disasters, like fire or vandalism. But many people make some common mistakes when shopping for this type of coverage that can lead to being underinsured and not having enough protection if something goes wrong. Read on to learn more about homeowners’ five common mistakes when purchasing home insurance.

1. Not Getting Enough Coverage

One of the people’s most common mistakes when buying home insurance is not getting enough coverage. They either don’t purchase enough coverage or let their policy lapse and are underinsured. It’s essential to ensure you have enough coverage to protect your home and belongings in an unforeseen disaster.

2. Not Understanding What’s Covered

Another mistake people make is not understanding what their policy covers. Home insurance policies have different levels of coverage, so it’s important to know what you’re getting. Some policies will cover damage from fire, theft, and natural disasters, while others may only cover one or two of these things. Make sure you understand the coverage levels of your policy so you know what’s included.

3. Not Shopping Around

People also sometimes make the mistake of not shopping around for home insurance. They either stay with the same company they’ve always had or accept the first quote they get. But it’s important to compare rates and coverage from different companies to ensure you’re getting the best deal.

4. Not Reviewing Your Policy Regularly

Even if you have an excellent home insurance policy, it’s important to review it regularly to make sure it still meets your needs. As your life changes, your coverage may need to change as well. For example, if you get married or have a child, you may need to increase your coverage. Or, if you move to a new home, you may need to adjust your policy accordingly.

5. Thinking it Covers Flooding

One final mistake people make is thinking their home insurance policy will cover flooding. But most policies don’t cover this type of damage, so it’s vital to purchase separate flood insurance if you live in an area prone to flooding.

Home Insurance is critical, but as you have seen, people make some common mistakes. Luckily, San Marcos Insurance Group is here to help you find the best possible home insurance policy for your needs in Chandler, AZ. We understand that shopping for home insurance can be confusing and overwhelming, but we’re here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our services or get a free quote.

Do I Need Home Insurance?

Although there is no law requiring homeowners to carry insurance, purchasing a house is likely to be the largest investment anyone makes so having coverage is a no-brainer. While it is true that homeowners insurance is not required by law, if you are purchasing a home with a mortgage then it is highly likely that the mortgage company will require you to have insurance before financing the purchase.

When shopping for homeowners insurance, you’ll want a policy that covers rebuilding or repairing your house and other structures on your property like a shed or garage, after a covered loss. In addition, look for a policy that helps pay to replace your belongings if they are damaged in a covered loss, lodging if you are displaced due to a fire, natural disaster, or other incident and legal bills if a visitor or tradesperson is injured while at your home. Generally, a homeowners policy does not cover earthquakes or floods and you may be required to purchase additional insurance policies if you are in an area prone to one of those natural disasters.

Begin looking for homeowners insurance once you have signed the contract to purchase a home. Waiting till this point will likely allow you about a month to find the right insurance company and have a policy in place. At San Marcos Insurance Group in Chandler, AZ we specialize in homeowners insurance and can assist in customizing a policy that meets your needs.

Whether you are buying your first home or moving to Chandler, AZ for retirement, San Marcos Insurance Group wants to help. Give us a call today or stop by our conveniently located office to schedule an initial conversation with one of our talented insurance professionals. 

How Home Insurance Protects You

When you own a home, owning home insurance is a must. A good policy can protect you from a wide range of risks that houses face. There are several different types of home coverage that are included in one home insurance policy. If you need a policy for your home, give us a call at San Marcos Insurance Group in Chandler, AZ.

Covering Your Home

Part of a home insurance policy is protection for the house. It protects against many different disasters and accidents that can happen to houses and cause them damage. If you don’t have this policy, you would have to come up with all of the money to repair or rebuild by yourself. This policy will pay for damage that is caused by a covered occurrence. Being without this coverage can be too expensive to afford if the worst should happen.

Covering Your Possessions

Another part of a home policy is the coverage for all of the possessions that are located inside the house. These possessions may not look like a huge expense, but when everything is added up together, it may rival the value of your house. If a covered incident like an accident happened and ruined your possessions, your policy could pay for you to replace them or to get needed repairs. 

Covering Your Liability

One part of your home policy is dedicated to your possible liability for accidents and other incidents. If someone were in your house and had an accident, you could be considered liable for the resulting medical bills and other expenses. This coverage protects you from lawsuits that could be filed against you after an accident like this. It’s smart to never be without this coverage. 

Get Home Insurance

To get your home policy, call us at San Marcos Insurance Group in Chandler, AZ.

Do I Need Home Insurance in Arizona?

Your home in Chandler, AZ is an instrumental part of you and your loved one’s lives. Owning a home is an exciting experience, but most residents, unluckily, haven’t thought much about home insurance. Many homeowners regard home insurance as an option, but it should be an ultimate necessity in reality. Home insurance will not only leave you stress-free but saves you tens of thousands of dollars in the long run when unexpected perils strike. If you are willing to discuss your option for a home insurance plan, please liaise with San Marcos Insurance Group serving Chandler, AZ and its environs. We will help you design the right home insurance policy to protect your expensive asset.

Is home insurance mandatory in Arizona?

Home insurance isn’t mandatory in Arizona if you don’t have a mortgage for your dwelling serving as your lenders’ collateral. However, it’s wise to consider if you can afford to pay for the cost of repair or replace your home if covered calamities destroy it. With that being said, here are the benefits of buying home insurance:

Coverage for your home contents

Home insurance safeguards your personal property like electronic appliances, furniture and clothing if damaged by a covered peril like fire or storm. You can be reimbursed fully or partially, depending on your specific policy.

Provides liability protection

 Liability protection coverage shields you against probable lawsuits arising from bodily injury and property damage you and your family members propagate to other parties. It caters to medical expenses resulting from injuries sustained by your guests while on your property or elsewhere.

Protect your home 

Imagine if your house was ravaged by fire or hurricane, suffering immense losses? If you procure coverage for your dwelling, it will cater to repairing or reestablishing your house if it is ravaged by a covered event like hail and lightning, among others.

Provides additional living expenses coverage

 Suppose your house becomes uninhabitable due to destruction from fire, storm, or other covered incertitudes. In that case, your additional living expense coverage pays for the additional expenses such as hotel bills if you are residing elsewhere temporarily.

Contact San Marcos Insurance Group today for comprehensive information about obtaining spectacular home insurance in Chandler, AZ and how it works. We can assist you in making an informed decision and customizing a policy suiting your needs and budget.

Preparing your home for an emergency

An emergency is a serious situation and requires preparedness. The city of Chandler, AZ takes it so seriously that they have set up a section of their website to make suggestions to the residents. Getting ready for an emergency begins in the home and there are a few simple things that every homeowner can do to make sure they are ready no matter what emergency arises. At San Marcos Insurance Group in Chandler, AZ, we have over 80 years of combined insurance experience that we share with our customers. 

In Chandler, AZ n emergency can come in the form of a heatwave, a wind storm, a flood, a power outage, or a fire. Not to mention any man-made emergencies. You need to make sure your home is prepared for any of these.

Battery backup

No matter which of these emergencies happen, losing power is a possibility. Having flashlights, battery-operated radio, extra batteries, solar lights, a generator, and portable chargers like a Halo can keep you working. You just want to make sure you can keep from sitting in the dark. A generator will make sure your food stays fresh, and you have ac which is pretty much of a necessity in Arizona. You also need to have a good size gas can so that you can run the generator. 

Water

When an emergency strikes, it may not be possible to have running water. You need to have enough bottled water to keep you hydrated for at least a few days. Filling a bathtub with water can make sure you can flush toilets. 

Food

You should have three days of food and in the event, you don’t have a generator, it should be shelf-stable food. Having a gas or charcoal grill to cook food is also very handy. A manual can opener is a necessity. 

Contact San Marcos Insurance Group in Chandler, AZ for all your home insurance needs. 

Who should get home insurance in Arizona?

People that move to the Chandler, AZ area are going to have a lot of housing options. For many people, buying a home instead of renting is a great choice as it provides many benefits to those that want to stay for a while. As you are looking for a new home here, you also need to spend time assessing your insurance needs. In almost all situations it makes sense for someone to get a home insurance plan. 

Those with Requirements

A situation when you should get home insurance is when you want to get coverage to comply with your insurance requirements. Anyone that is going to buy a home will likely have insurance requirements set by the mortgage lender and even a home association. It is important to meet these requirements as you could face penalization if you are not able to maintain a proper policy.

Those that Want Protection

Those that do not have any home insurance requirements should still get a proper policy. When you purchase a home you are making a major investment for your future. The best way that this investment can be protected is by getting insurance for it. With this insurance, you will have the coverage you need to repair or replace your home and even receive additional protection against liability risk. 

Those that live in the Chandler, AZ area need to make sure that they get proper home insurance for their property. When you are looking for a new plan, it would be wise to contact the team at the San Marcos Insurance Group. The team of professionals here can help by answering your questions and assessing your risks. They can then help you to build a policy that offers the ideal coverage for your situation. 

Is home insurance in Chandler necessary?

The Chandler, AZ area is a very popular place for anyone to move to or visit. People continue to be drawn to this community due to the great weather and access to many local amenities. This can make it a great place if you want to be a property owner. If you are interested in purchasing a new home in this area, you should make sure that you get a proper insurance plan. There are several reasons why this insurance protection should be considered a necessity.

Insurance Offers Valuable Coverage

The main reason that you should consider home insurance to be a necessity is that it can offer you very valuable coverage. A quality home insurance policy will give you coverage to repair or replace your dwelling, replace your personal items, and even liability coverage. In a situation where there is a fire, theft, or other forms of loss, this coverage will prove to be very valuable.

Coverage is Required for Many

A home insurance policy is also necessary because it is required for many Chandler property owners. Many people here are required by mortgage lenders to carry home insurance as it will offer protection for the bank’s collateral. Additionally, if you live in a home association, there will be bylaws that will cover your need to carry home insurance. 

Owning a home will provide a lot of benefits to people that are in the Chandler, AZ area. If you are looking to purchase a home here, you should call the team at the San Marcos Insurance Group. When you do call the team at the San Marcos Insurance Group you can get the insight you need to pick a policy that is right for your situation. This will ensure that you and your home are properly covered and protected at all times. 

Do I always need home insurance in Arizona?

The Chandler, AZ area is a community located outside of Phoenix. Property owners here have continued to benefit from the continued demand for housing, which can make owning a property a good investment. If you are going to purchase a home here, it is very important that you have it properly covered by insurance. There are several reasons why you need to make sure that your home is covered by a proper insurance plan at all times. 

Protects Investment

One of the reasons that you always need to have home insurance is that it can protect your investment. The largest purchase that most people in the Chandler area will ever make will come when they buy a home. To ensure that your asset and investments are protected, you should get a full home insurance policy. This will ensure you are covered if the property is ever seriously damaged and you need to make repairs or rebuild the home entirely. 

Ensures Compliance

Another reason that you will always need to have home insurance in Arizona is that it will ensure you remain in full compliance with your insurance requirements. Those that own a home here will likely need to take out a mortgage, which comes with specific insurance requirements. Additionally, if you live in a home association, you will be required to carry home insurance at all times. Having a proper policy will help to keep you protected and in compliance. 

Those that live in the Chandler, AZ area, and are looking for insurance for their property should call San Marcos Insurance Group. At the San Marcos Insurance Group you are going to receive support and guidance that will help you find and build a quality policy. This will ensure you are properly protected. 

Insurance tips for new home owners

Settling in your new home in Chandler, AZ is an exciting milestone. However, it comes at a cost as there are many steps involved, such as searching, negotiations, inspections, and financial preparations, which can be mind-draining.

At San Marcos Insurance Group, we know that is all worth it in the end, and that’s why we help you protect what matters to you most by buying a home insurance policy. Here are a few insurance tips to help you out.

Assess the level of risk

Before you consider buying a home insurance policy in Chandler, AZ, make sure you know the risk level to help you understand the more critical coverages. If it is a new neighborhood, you may want to know how safe it is from burglaries and other criminal activities. You also want to check the home for faults, especially if it is old, and purchase coverage for them.

Know the coverages that matter

Once you have figured out the level of risk, it is much easier to know which coverages to focus on. For instance, if your home has a swimming pool, you may want to think about adequate liability in case of accidents. If you have children and pets running around your compound, medical coverage can be a great addition to your policy.

Do enough research

A home insurance policy is a significant investment, like the home itself. Therefore, you don’t want to make a mistake of buying insurance from any insurance agency around you. Shop around and look for a certified insurance company like San Marcos Insurance Group.

Don’t just sign

Make sure you understand everything before signing the documents. Read the terms and conditions and ask questions where you don’t understand to avoid getting surprises after signing the agreement.

For all your home insurance needs, contact San Marcos Insurance Group today!