Category: Home Insurance

When you live in Canby, OR, it’s important to know what is and is not covered on your home insurance policy. If your AC breaks, it could cost several thousands of dollars to repair. The easiest solution is to file a claim with the insurance company, but will it be covered?

What Your Home Insurance Covers

Your home insurance is going to cover very specific things. This includes:

• Dwelling
• Personal belongings
• Liability

Your home insurance policy is not going to cover your air-conditioning because it falls under an appliance. At Oliver Insurance, we are committed to helping you find the best home insurance policy for you, your home, and your budget.

If you are concerned about getting coverage for your air-conditioning, your plumbing, and various other components that might not be covered by your home insurance policy, it’s a good idea to have a home warranty policy.

When AC Would Be Covered

Although the standard reasons for AC breaking won’t be covered by your home insurance policy, there are some scenarios where it would be covered. This would involve damage to your home as a result of an act of nature or something else.

Your policy will provide protection in Canby, OR for fire, theft, vandalism, and more. This means that if your home suffers a fire and your air-conditioning unit is part of that fire, you could file a claim and have the HVAC unit replaced.

There are a lot of possibilities that exist when it comes to finding the right home insurance policy. Call and speak to one of our professional insurance agents at Oliver Insurance today. We will take the time to help you build a policy that works for you and your budget so that you have financial protection in place against a variety of potential scenarios.

 

 

Insurance policies are often looked at as protection against the unexpected. However, there are steps one can take to protect your home against the most common claims made under policies. Below we reveal the most common claims and steps you can take to help reduce the likelihood.

Exterior Wind damage makes up about 25% of all claims. Powerful wind can damage weaker structures including windows and doors. Also, strong winds can pick up debris and cause damage to your roof and siding. To protect against damage, you should have your roof inspected and repair any damage. A roof that is damaged is much more likely to be damaged further by strong winds.

Nonweather related damage is the second most common claim made under policies. Typically nonweather-related damages include damage from pipes bursting, plumbing and appliance related claims. Winters in Canby, OR can be cold, and you should insulate your pipes to protect them from freezing. As part of prepping your home for winter, you should also turn off the water supply to outdoor hose bibs.

Hail storms are short-lived but can cause a great amount of destruction. If you live in an area prone to hail you should consider installing impact-resistant roofing material, this can reduce damage from hail by about 40%.

Weather related water damage such as flooding can cause serious damage to your home. You should make sure water is being drained away from the foundation. Also, you want to make sure you have flood insurance as it is not always included in policies, feel free to check with your agent at Oliver Insurance.

If you want to learn more about ways to protect your home, please reach out to Oliver Insurance. We proudly serve the Canby, OR area.

As a homeowner, you should be aware that changes in your lifestyle can prompt insurance companies to raise your homeowner insurance premium. Before changing your lifestyle, talk to your Oliver Insurance agent in Canby, OR to see how certain changes will affect your home coverage. Here are a few examples of lifestyle changes that could result in higher home insurance costs.

Increased Physical Activity

Installing a swimming pool, setting up a home gym or purchasing a trampoline to get more exercise increases the risk of injuries on your property. As a result, you may have to pay more for your liability coverage. An increase in liability limits will protect your assets in the event family or friends have an accident when using this equipment on your property.

Home Business

If you start a home business that provides services from your abode or involves the purchase of expensive equipment, you’ll need extra liability and property damage coverage to protect your clients and equipment. Depending on the nature of your home business, separate business coverage may be a better alternative to protect your interests.    

Marriage

A marriage that results in joining two households could alter your home insurance coverage. If your spouse owns luxury items such as posh jewelry, heirlooms, expensive paintings, etc., you may need additional coverage to protect these items from damage or theft. If you move to a new house, you’ll have to discuss coverage options anew with your insurer to get the protection you need.

Adopt a Pet

Even adopting a pet could increase your home insurance costs, particularly if you obtain a dog that falls under the category of “risky breed.”

By talking to your Oliver Insurance agent in Canby, OR, you can get up to date information on home insurance options best suited to your particular need.  

Insurance premiums can be a major part of a person’s monthly expenses, but Canby, OR residents can decrease their premiums in a variety of ways. Oliver Insurance offers the five following tips as the most effective ways of decreasing your auto, home, and health insurance premiums.

Cleaning Out Your Garage

Carefully cleaning out your garage can offer you premium discounts for two types of insurance coverage: auto and home insurance. Parking your car in a garage will decrease your auto coverage while cleaning up dangerous items will decrease your home premiums.

Increase Your Deductible

While it might be frustrating to increase your deductible, doing so will lower your monthly premium costs. Yes, you’ll pay more when problems do occur, but saving $100-200 per month can save you as much as $1,200 per year on your insurance.

Improve Your Insured Item

Repairing your car or home will decrease your premiums by making it worth more money. For example, adding storm shutters and adding a new room will minimize fire and water damage threats. Adding a new motor to your car will make it run more smoothly, eliminating breakdown threats.

Tweak Co-Insurance Rate

With medical insurance, you’ll typically have a ratio of 80/20 or 90/10, meaning the insurance provider pays 80-90 percent of your coverage while you pay the rest. Increasing the amount you pay (such as 70/30) will decrease your premiums, but increase what you pay: this method is similar to increasing your deductible with other insurances.

Avoiding Double Insurance

People often get medical coverage with their auto insurance policy and their personal health insurance policy. This is unnecessary, particularly if you already have life and disability insurance. Coverage duplication is expensive, so eliminate the most costly of these expenses to decrease your premiums.

Oliver Insurance covers the Canby, OR and can help you not only find great insurance coverage, but teach you ways to save money. Let them help you get full coverage and live a happy and productive life.