Does Home Insurance Cover Pets?

If you are a pet owner, it’s your wish to see your animal friend safe and secure. As such, you may want to know if your home insurance covers injuries to your pet or if it covers injuries or damages your pet inflicts to other people. Since some pet incidences can be costly, ACU Insurance Services in League City, TX answers the question: does home insurance cover pet damage?

What does home insurance cover about pets?

Typical home insurance covers the below regarding your pets:

  • Bodily injury liability: If your dog, for instance, causes injuries to other persons, your home insurance covers the ensuing medical costs. The same case happens even if your pet causes injury when on someone else’s premises.
  • Property damage liability: If your horse or dog destroys some else’s property, you will be responsible for the property damages. Luckily, your home insurance can come to your rescue and cover the property damage claims.

Since liability claims can be costly, you need to update your home insurance liability coverage if you own a dangerous pet. Besides, you can consider umbrella insurance if you have significant assets to protect.  Additionally, home insurance can cover legal fees and settlement claims if the person goes ahead to sue you.

Home insurance exclusions regarding pets

Typical home insurance won’t cover the below regarding your pet:

  • Veterinarian visits: Home insurance doesn’t cover injuries or illnesses to your pet. As such, you should invest in pet insurance to cover vet visits.
  • Property damage: If your dog or cat rips your carpet or sofas apart, home insurance won’t cover the damage because your insurer expects you to control your pet’s behavior that may result in property damage.

Are you ready to get started with home insurance in League City, TX? Please consider ACU Insurance Services for all your home insurance solutions.

When should you review your home insurance policy?

Home insurance is one type of insurance that just about everyone who owns a home needs and wants. With all the things that can go wrong, why would you want to risk your investment? At ACU Insurance Services in League City, TX, we are dedicated to helping our customers to personalize their insurance to better meet their needs. As independent agents, we can offer more choices. 

When your policy is set to renew, that is the perfect time to do a review. You will have a current declaration page to give you all the particulars. You need to see if your home is valued correctly. Have you done any major renovations that you haven’t notified your insurance agent about, something that would increase the value of your home? Some repairs, like a new roof, make your home less expensive to insure. 

Are you worth more now than when you first took out the policy? The more you have in assets, the higher your liability coverage should be. Have you added any additional risks to your home like a dog or swimming pool? Talk to your agent about your liability insurance and whether you should add an umbrella policy. 

Is your deductible right for you or should you increase or decrease it?  Do you have the right type of content coverage and have you added any expensive items to your home or jewelry box that might require an endorsement to make you feel protected? 

Other times to review your home insurance policy are when there is a change in your life status; when you get married or divorced. 

Your home insurance is something that changes over time. It needs to be reviewed at a minimum every year but more often as is necessary. 

Contact ACU Insurance Services in League City, TX when you are in the market for home insurance.

Demystifying Popular Home Insurance Myths

 You are probably at the stage of buying home insurance for your home, and you are confused. We understand the confusion. With lots of information about home insurance — some genuine others false — you definitely can’t separate the chaff from the grains. 

 Home insurance is a tricky topic, and if you are misinformed, you will be relying on the wrong myths when buying the insurance. Luckily, at ACU Insurance Services of League City, TX, we are here to debunk common home insurance going around. 

Home insurance policy covers flood damage

Your standard home insurance doesn’t cover flood damage. While home insurance may cover water damage from damaged pipes, it won’t cover damage from overland flooding. In light of this, if you live in a flood-risk area, consider buying a stand-alone flood insurance policy. 

Home insurance only covers the house

The policy covers your house and the contents too. If your home has detached structures, they are covered as well at an additional premium. Moreover, home insurance provides liability protection and pays for additional living expenses when your house becomes uninhabitable.

Home insurance covers medical expenses

For your information, home insurance covers medical bills for guests that get hurt on your property. If you or your family member get injured, the policy does not cover the medical expenses.

Home insurance is not worth the expense

Imagine your entire home investment going down in just one event! Something you have worked so hard for years. How do you start saving for another home? If you hear someone saying that home insurance isn’t worth it, just think about the thousands of dollars you have put in your home. 

Home insurance at League City, TX

You cannot exhaust the myths of home insurance. Every day new ones are coming up. In case you encounter conflicting information about home insurance, seek advice from a trusted insurance agent. If you are in League City, TX, look no further than ACU Insurance Services. We got you covered for all the matters to do with your home insurance. 

Do I need to get home insurance in Texas?

Those that are looking for a new place to live and move to should consider the League City, TX area. When you are here, you will benefit from long-term price appreciation and a strong local economy. If you would like to buy a home in this area, you also need to get the right insurance for it. There are a few reasons why you need to get home insurance when you are in this area of the state.

Insurance is Required by Mortgage Lenders

A common reason that people here need to get home insurance is that it is required by their mortgage lender. If you have taken out a mortgage, your bank will have a vested interest in your property. Accordingly, they will want to ensure that it is properly covered by insurance at all times. Your lender will have specific insurance requirements and may require that you escrow for your payments each month.

Insurance Protects Against Liability Risk

You will also want to get home insurance because it can protect you against liability risk. Anyone that owns a home will be taking on some liability risk. If this is the case for you, it continues to be important that you mitigate this risk with insurance. With a home insurance plan, you can receive the liability insurance needed to offset the risk. 

When you are trying to purchase a home in the League City, TX area, it will continue to be very important that you get the right insurance for it. When you are searching for a policy, ACU Insurance Services can be a great resource for you. The insurance team with ACU Insurance Services understands the importance of this insurance coverage. They can help you better assess your needs and options and choose a policy that will protect your property. 

Renovate or Not? What it means for your home insurance

When it comes to deciding how much homeowners insurance to purchase, much of it is dependent on the size of your house, how it is used, what features it has, and how much it would cost to rebuild it to the current state if disaster struck. What home insurance does not do, is take into account the impact a renovation can have on the value of the home and the insurability. For instance, adding an extra bedroom can increase the value of the home but now there is more square footage to insure and a more expensive house that must be rebuilt if the worst happens. On the flip side, while a pool may be a must-have luxury for your family it also puts you at greater risk of being sued if there is an injury or death because of the pool by a third party. Consequently, whenever you make a major change to your home it is a good idea to check your insurance to validate that it will cover the new additions. Generally speaking, you’ll want to do one of three things when renovating your home for insurance. First, increase the replacement dwelling coverage to the expected value of your home after the renovation is complete. Second, increase liability coverage when the construction is being done to protect yourself from being liable if a construction worker injures themselves on the job without insurance. Third, once the work is done, consider increasing your liability coverage – particularly if you are adding a potential safety concern like a pool.

At ACU Insurance Services in League City, TX, we are your local experts for everything home insurance. Whether you are buying your first home or planning a costly addition give us a call and we’ll be happy to help. 

Does My Homeowners Insurance Cover Accidents That Occur on the Sidewalk?

Your homeowners’ insurance includes different types of liability. In most cases, the general liability insurance that is included in your policy will cover accidents that occur on your property. The key is knowing what you are responsible for and what you are not. In League City, TX, the agents of ACU Insurance Services can help you sort things out so that you know your responsibilities as a homeowner are and what you need to do to protect your investment.

Personal and Public Property

The property you own normally extends to the street. If you have a sidewalk that runs through your property, you may not own it but the responsibility for keeping it clean and passible is up to you. In most communities, the sidewalks are the property of the town. While they are responsible for repairs and general maintenance, you are expected to make sure they are clean and passible at any given time.

Protect Your Home and Family

If a slip and fall accident occurs on a sidewalk in front of your home, you may be liable if something was left on the sidewalk. If the accident was the result of the sidewalk being damaged or broken, the liability may be transferred to the community. Protecting your family from financial hardship is essential so it is essential that you know and understand what your liability risks are.

At ACU Insurance Services in League City, TX, each agent has the knowledge and experience to help you understand what your liability risks are. Call and talk to a reputable agent and get the advice and answers you need so that you can get the insurance coverage you want to feel fully protected.

Home Insurance Add Ons To Consider

Your home is your castle. It’s as unique as you are, which means you need home owner’s insurance that covers the specifics of your home. While there are basic policies that will protect your property based on the purchase price and its overall value, there are other kinds of insurance you might want to consider to protect your property further. If you live in League City, TX, and are interested in additional protection, our staff here at ACU Insurance Services can help. 

Window Insurance

Perhaps you have unique decorative windows. Stained glass elements within Tudor homes are common, and yet these are also far more expensive to replace. Or maybe you have kids that love to play catch outside, and on more than one occasion, the ball has come crashing through a window. To protect your property further, you’ll want to consider window insurance. 

Flooding Insurance

From a burst water line to a major storm, flooding can damage your entire home. You will want to protect your property as it can be extraordinarily expensive to repair. Water damage may even occur if a fire breaks out, as hundreds of gallons of water will be used to put out the fire. 

Protect Your Property With Specific Insurance Add-Ons

There are additional elements to your home that are unique. These elements may also not be protected with your set policy. In order to help you protect your home, you will want to consider some of these insurance add-ons. So, if you live in or around League City, TX, and want to learn more about available home insurance add-ons, our staff here at ACU Insurance Services is here to help. Give us a call at your earliest convenience, and we will assist you in finding an insurance policy that works for you. 

What is Protected with Homeowners’ Insurance Coverage?

A homeowners’ insurance policy provides families with peace of mind in the event of a fire or storm. Before purchasing a policy from ACU Insurance Services, it’s essential to understand precisely what types of damage homeowners insurance covers.  

The Types of Homeowners’ Coverage

Most homeowners’ insurance policies in League City, TX include the following six types of coverage.

Personal Property Coverage

This will pay personal items on your property if they are stolen, destroyed, or damaged. Those items can include furniture, electronics, or clothing.

Dwelling Coverage

This will pay if your home is destroyed or damaged by anything your policy covers. This does not include earthquakes or floods.

Coverage for Other Structures

This will pay for repairs to structures not attached to your house, such as a storage shed or detached garage.

Personal Liability

If a person is injured on your property, personal liability will pay for their medical bills, loss of wages, and other costs you could be legally responsible for. It could also pay for court costs if you endure a lawsuit due to the injury.

Medical Payments

This form of coverage will pay the medical expenses for someone who is injured on your property. It can also pay for injuries that occur while you are away from home, such as if your dog bites another person while you are taking them for a walk.

Loss of Use Coverage

This coverage will pay for your additional living expenses if you must relocate while your home is repaired after damage. These additional expenses can include rent, food, and other costs that you wouldn’t need to pay if you were still living in your home.

The agents at ACU Insurance Services have additional information on what a homeowners’ insurance policy covers in the state of Texas. Visit our office today to learn more.  

 

5 Questions to Ask Your Home Insurance Agent to Set Up the Ideal Policy

Are you in the market for home insurance? There likely are some things you want to ask a professional agent like the ones at ACU Insurance Services, serving the greater League City, TX region. Here are five critical questions to bring to your agent before you set up your policy.

How much will the homeowner’s policy cover if my house is destroyed?

In the event your house is destroyed, your policy will not replace your home entirely. However, it will go a long way towards making necessary repairs or rebuilding.

Does homeowner’s insurance cover personal belongings?

The short answer is yes, your policy provides coverage for possessions. There will be a total coverage limit, as well as individual limits for items that are more valuable, like jewelry and antiques. The amount you get towards replacing or repairing them falls under the replacement cost vs. actual cash value rule. You will have to get an insurance rider as an add-on if you want coverage beyond the standard limits.

Does homeowner’s insurance cover anything else?

Yes, such a policy would cover liability issues. This is beneficial in the instance someone becomes injured in your house or around your property. It also will cover loss of use, which includes payment for temporary housing when you have your home repaired. There are separate limits for each category.

What amount of homeowner’s insurance do I need?

It’s ideal to base your limits on the cost of rebuilding your home. This can be the current market price for your house, but you might consider setting it up at a higher amount in case the market price rises. It’s an especially good idea if the home is older, if construction costs are high in the area, or if you own other structures that are on the property (such as a parking garage).

Is it possible for me to save money on my insurance?

You definitely can save on home owner’s insurance costs. A straightforward way to do so is to bundle your insurance with something like auto insurance. Also, you can see if you qualify for any discounts.

Feel free to reach out with your questions through the online form or by email at any time, or give ACU Insurance Services a call during business hours. We love to help homeowners, especially those who are new to owning a home in the greater League City, TX area.

Do You Know How to Make a Home Insurance Claim?

If your home is burglarized or damaged by a storm or fire, your homeowner’s insurance will help pay for damages. To recuperate your losses, you will have to file a home insurance claim. The following tips from ACU Insurance Services in League City, TX can help facilitate your claims process.

Review Your Policy

Before calling your agent, review your insurance policy to refresh your memory about your coverage. Be mindful of time limits to make your claim, so you don’t miss out on recuperating from your losses. 

Get a Police Report

Report break-ins, burglaries, or vandalism to the police, so they can file a police report. Your insurer will require a police report to support these types of claims.

Call Your Insurer

Report all incidents of theft, vandalism, storm, or fire damage to your insurance company as soon as possible. You will receive a claims number and be assigned an adjuster for your case. Your adjuster will visit your home, assess your loss or damages, and make an estimate of the repair or replacement of stolen goods and the costs.

Document Your Loss/Damages

In the event of theft, make a list of stolen goods with descriptions of these items and receipts to verify their value. For storm, vandalism, or fire damage, take photos or a video of the damages as proof of your loss so that you can get adequate compensation for damages.

Make Temporary Repairs

If you have to make temporary repairs to avoid further damage to your property, save all receipts and invoices to get reimbursed by your insurance company. Your insurer will reimburse you for food and lodging expenses, as well, if you have to live elsewhere while repairs are made.

For help in making a home insurance claim, contact your ACU Insurance Services agent in League City, TX