It really is true – there’s no place like home. Your house is distinctly yours and filled with people you love and contents you’ve likely accumulated over many years. All of these things hold precious value and deserve to be protected with insurance that minimizes your vulnerability to risk. At BWO Insurance of Kenosha/Racine, we offer home insurance coverage that protects your house and nearly everything inside – all at affordable, competitive rates.
Personalized Service and One-on-One Support
Working with an independent agent gives you an edge that is not available when you shop for home insurance online or with an agent employed by a specific insurer. With BWO Insurance of Kenosha/Racine, you get access to quotes from several of the leading insurance companies throughout Wisconsin, giving you the opportunity to compare coverage options and determine which is right for you. Furthermore, you gain the ongoing support of a local agent that is located in your own community – not in a call center hundreds of miles away.
Assessing and Assembling Your Coverage Options
You have options when it comes to your home insurance, and we are here to help you navigate them. To better determine what types and amounts of coverage you need, we first look at various components of your home, personal property, and what you could lose in the event of a total loss or a lawsuit. Based on those factors, we can help you put together a home insurance policy that works for you and covers a broad range of loss events. Examples include:
- Fire, smoke, and explosion
- Wind, lightning, and hail
- Theft and vandalism
- Falling objects
- And more
Some types of damages are excluded from standard home insurance coverage. For example, if you wish to purchase flood protection, you will need a stand-alone flood insurance policy in addition to your homeowners insurance. Talk to an agent about coverage exclusions and how you can expand protection for these types of events.
Coverages A and B – Dwelling and Other Structures
The structures built on your property fall under Coverage A and B on a standard home insurance policy. This pertains to the construction components of your house, fence, shed, detached garage, and other structures that may be on your property. If they are damaged due to a covered event, your homeowners insurance pays to clean up, repair, and rebuild according to the limitations of your coverage. Claims are subject to your deductible, which you can select when purchasing your policy.
Coverage C – Personal Property
This section of your coverage outlines protection for the things you own – including those you do not keep inside your home. Although claims against this type of coverage are also subject to your deductible, your personal property insurance could save you tens of thousands of dollars by compensating you for damage, loss, or even theft after a covered event. Whether your house burns and destroys everything in it or your expensive laptop is stolen from your hotel room while traveling, this part of your home insurance helps minimize your risk of out-of-pocket loss.
Be sure to talk with your agent about the different types of personal property coverage. Many policies cover only the actual cash value of your items, meaning you only receive compensation for their depreciated value. Since this is not enough to cover the cost of a new replacement, we recommend upgrading your coverage to include full property replacement.
Coverage D – Temporary Displacement
While you are busy rebuilding your home and replacing your belongings, you may also need somewhere to live temporarily while your house is uninhabitable. This part of your policy helps cover the extra costs you may incur moving to a new space. From rent and hotel fees to laundry service costs, Coverage D on your home insurance policy can help lessen the financial blow after a disaster.
Coverage E – Liability
When you or a member of your household is responsible for someone else’s injury or personal loss, homeowners liability insurance helps cover the damages. This type of coverage helps pay for your legal fees and court costs if you are sued for most types of third-party injuries and property damages, and it can also cover your financial responsibility if you lose your case. Note that there are exclusions, such as malicious behavior or car accident damages that should be covered under your auto insurance policy.
Choose your liability limits carefully. Low limits may seem adequate, but they often fall short in real-life scenarios. If your liability insurance limits are lower than your actual financial responsibility, you may have to cover the excess damages out of your own pocket.
Coverage F – Medical Payments
When guests are injured on your property, medical payments coverage can provide limited compensation for necessary medical bills. Being that it is separate coverage with no-fault requirements, medical payments insurance is not the same as liability protection. Furthermore, claims for medical payments compensation does not eliminate potential liability. However, it may be enough to appease an injured guest and deter them from filing suit.
Wisconsin Home Insurance Quotes
At BWO Insurance of Kenosha/Racine, we know the challenges that local homeowners face. From extreme winters and harsh weather conditions to the potential for crime and other losses, we aim to give you coverage against a wide range of hazards and risks. We can answer your questions, help you compare coverage, and customize a home insurance policy that works for you. We even go the extra mile to search for valuable discounts that could increase your upfront savings. These vary by insurer but may include discounts for:
- New roof
- Claims-free history
- Purchasing multiple coverage lines
- Installing a monitored alarm system
- And more
To find out more about homeowners insurance options, contact our office to request your free quotes today.
