Homeowners Insurance

All homeowners policies are NOT THE SAME.

It’s not just costs that you need to look at when comparing policies. In some areas in New Hampshire and other states, replacement costs on homes have skyrocketed. The cost to remove the old structure and rebuild with like kind and quality can exceed $300.00 per square foot of living area.

Does your homeowners policy have adequate coverage for your home?

Homeowners policies in New Hampshire state that the insured is required to establish and maintain the replacement cost level on the policy. It also states that replacement cost will be determined at the time of the loss.

Example:

A basic 2,000 square foot home three years ago was estimated at around $150.00 a square foot. That would have required the above example to have 300,000 in coverage. That same house today could have a replacement cost of 600,000. Your home maybe insured for 50% of the cost to rebuild. In the event of a partial loss you could be paid 50 cents of every dollar for the loss.

All replacement cost coverage are not created equal.

Many of the larger carriers offer “extended replacement cost” which says if you maintain your limits at 100% of the cost to rebuild and you have a covered loss the company will pay 125% some are 150% of the cost to rebuild should the coverage be insufficient. Many companies use terms such as full replacement cost. You need to read the policy to be sure you have the coverage you think you have.

We have companies that offer unlimited replacement cost.

This means they will pay 100% of the cost to rebuild with “like kind and quality” with NO LIMIT.

We will do a current replacement cost estimate and from then on the burden of having enough coverage lies on the company.

The fine print on this endorsement only states that if you add additional square footage such as an addition to the home or an attached garage you need to notify us so we can have the correct amount of coverage. You do not need to notify us if you redo your kitchen or bathroom, only if you add square footage.

Many coverages need to be added to a homeowners policy to protect one of your most valuable assets. Coverages such as:

  • Sewer line coverage: To provide protection in the event your sewer line to the street fails. This can be a huge expense not covered on a standard home policy.
  • Sump pump failure coverage: This provides protection if you have a finished basement and your sump pump fails to remove the rain water. You could lose power or the pump or the line could clog.
  • Scheduled Items: Certain items such as Jewelry, Watches, furs, fire arms, Fine Arts and other items have limited coverage and can be scheduled for a small fee to cover the full loss.

High Value Homes

These homes should have unlimited guaranteed replacement cost coverage. The availability of custom building products and the tradesman who can do the job right is out of site in todays economy.

We have the policy that will do the job right.

Older Homes

Older homes have their own challenges and increased costs to rebuild. The policy covers for “like kind and quality”. That can be very expensive. The materials used 80 years ago are not available unless they are custom made. Exterior ornamentation, horse hair plaster, wide pine floor boards all have to be custom made.

We have companies that will offer UNLIMITED GUARANTEED REPLACEMENT COST on older homes.

This takes the burden off you and transfers it to the company to provide what ever it costs to rebuild new.

Homes under construction

We can offer builders risk coverage for homes being built.

This provides coverage for stock on the job site as well as the building should a covered loss occur.

Some companies offer a builders risk endorsement on a home policy. This removes the theft of building materials exclusion and covers the home while it is under construction.

This policy has liability should someone come on the premises during the construction. This type of policy does not cover you for injury of contractors doing work on the premises, that woul dbe covered by the general contractor’s insurance.

You should always require any contractor who does work on the home to provide a certificate of insurance for liability and workers compensation.

We are here to serve you.

Please contact us by phone (603) 224-0993 or email at any time to discuss the coverage options available to meet your needs.