What are Home Insurance Special Limits?
Read the title of this article and thought: “What DOES Homeowners Insurance Cover”? Realized you don’t know the special limits of your policy? You’re not alone! Many policyholders will sign on the dotted line without being fully aware of the limits of their coverage. As a matter of fact, there are many common household items for which a typical policy will provide limited coverage. We’ve listed a few below:
Money
That’s right, money! Many homeowners have a safe somewhere on their property. Typically, that safe will contain valuables as well as a reserve of cash. If you or a loved one intend to keep large amounts of cash at home, you should know your policy may not reimburse you if it is destroyed in an accident.
Wine, Jewelry & Fine Art
Whether you’re an aspiring sommelier with an underground wine cellar, or whether you simply enjoy the finer things in life, you may find that some “luxury” items are not covered under your policy. Expensive bottles of fine wine and original painting could be costly to replace, so you should speak directly with a representative to learn about coverage limits.
Antiques and Collectibles
If you’re a collector of mint condition action figures or if you’ve inherited historic heirloom flatware, your collection may require a rider. Expensive, modern items can be costly to replace but antique goods can be nearly impossible. If you feel your antiques could exceed your coverage limits, you’ll also want to review the wording of your policy.
If you’re in the market for a policy, don’t forget to bring up these items to ensure you’ll be fully protected! When your current policy is insufficient, you can consider adding riders or endorsements. A rider for a homeowners’ insurance policy is a provision that adds or amends the terms of coverage. An insurance endorsement is an amendment that adds, deletes or alters coverage mid-term. The two phrases are typically used interchangeably. These policy modifications will remain in effect until the expiration date of your policy. You may need to renew the riders and endorsements separately when it comes time to renew your policy.
Don’t forget, if you need to file an insurance claim, a public adjuster can advocate for you! Contact the dedicated team at Avner Gat Inc. for help with every part of the claims process.
