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Home Insurance Coverage and Tips
Other Tips: [ General | Oil & Gas Industry | Home | Household Property | Leisure Property ]
The insurance coverage for your home, vehicle, business or recreational property may change from time to time.
Van Helden Agencies will use our web site to keep you abreast of any developments, as well as
tips for how you can reduce your risk of loss or damage.
More about our Home Insurance services
Home Insurance Tips
Appraisals and Your Coverage
Here's a checklist for making sure you have adequate coverage on your home
If you answer yes to any of the three questions, you should re-appraise
- Has it been more than a year since your insurer has appraised your home?
- Have you made any big home improvements (eg: new kitchen) recently?
- Have home value - or building costs - in your area risen or fallen dramatically in recent months?
If you're considering increasing your coverage, here is guidance to help pick the right policy:
- Are your homeowner's and business policies with the same insurer. If no, you might be able to switch to a single carrier and get a discount
- Do you have a home that would be considered historic or unique in some way? If so, you should consider one of the few insurers that still offer full replacement value.
- Does your homeowner's coverage include the value of the land under your house? If yes, you're over insured: land value shouldn't be included.
Again, some questions to ask your insurance agent to get you a good price:
- Is your homeowner's deductible lower than $1,000? If yes, ask how much you could save by raising your deductible.
- Do you have any discounts based on age? Com e companies offer cheaper rates for retired policyholders older than 55.
- Do you offer discounts for smoke detectors, burglar alarms, deadbolt locks and similar items?
Home Burglary
Burglars are good at taking advantage of situations to make their jobs more effortless. Home burglars use simple criteria to determine which homes they hit: they look for ones that are unoccupied, with easy access, good cover and good escape routes.
Most home and apartment burglaries occur during the daytime, when most people are away at work or at school. They also strike when there are obvious signs that no one is home, at night or while you're on vacation.
Home burglars seek items that are small, expensive, and easily converted to cash - jewellery, guns, watches, laptop computers, and other small electronic devices are high on the list. They generally first hit the master bedroom where wallets, handbags and jewellery are routinely left lying on a nearby vanity, ensuite or night table.
Burglars seek easy access, and detection-free escape. More than a third of all home burglars gain access through an open door or window! Burglars dislike alarm systems and particularly dislike dogs. Alarm system window decals and "beware of dog" signs can decrease your chances of being burglarized by up to 75%!
Water Damage
Most policies have a restrictive condition for water damage caused by freezing. If you are away from your house 72 hours or more, you must arrange a physical inspection by a competent person on a daily basis to have water damage losses covered. An alternative to an inspection is to shut the water off at the source and drain the entire system for coverage to apply.
Vacancy
When an insured's house is up for sale and all the contents are removed, the house is deemed vacant. Vacant homes are not covered for water damage and malicious damage. This includes theft, arson, and vandalism. It is important to notify us when a vacant condition exists.
Fire Prevention & Protection
Recent big-news stories in the media about large condo fires, and the loss of several large estate homes outside of city limits have made fire insurance and protection a prime issue for today's home owners.
Smoke Alarms
NOTE: Building codes requires smoke alarms to be installed between the living and sleeping areas in all newly built dwelling units, or where major renovations are carried out.
There are two main types of smoke alarms: ionization and photoelectric. Both can be wired into the household electrical system or operated from battery power, and both provide effective protection. Some units incorporate emergency flashing lights.
DON'T use rechargeable batteries in your smoke alarm. Rechargeable batteries give no warning that they are wearing out. A dead battery in your smoke alarm leaves you and your family unprotected.
Smoke alarms should be installed each sleeping area, and on each level of your home. In a bungalow, it may be sufficient to have one alarm in a common passageway from the bedrooms to the living area.
Smoke alarms should be installed right in the bedroom if bedroom doors are closed at night. This is particularly true if heaters or electrical appliances of any kind are used.
Smoke alarms are not suggested for kitchens, bathrooms or garages where there may frequently be fumes, steam or exhaust that could set them off unnecessarily.
Mount the alarm high on a wall or on the ceiling, away from corners, not too near a window, door, or forced-air register where drafts could interfere with proper operation
Wood Fireplaces and Chimneys
NOTE: Inform your insurance agent or broker whenever you make any renovations. Such changes may affect your insurance policy's coverage.
Use properly seasoned wood and follow proper burning techniques to minimize production of creosote - the material that forms in your chimney, and which causes most chimney fires.
Keep a fire extinguisher (4-5lb.) within easy reach of a wood fireplace - obviously not too close!.
Consider using a fire-retardant spray on the rugs closest to your fireplace.
Keep heat-proof gloves nearby. The fastest way to get a burning log off the floor and back into the fireplace is to pick it up - with the gloves on!
Install non-combustible child guards where toddlers are present.
Remove ashes into a covered metal container and place outside or on a concrete floor until thoroughly cool. NEVER dispose of ashes in your garbage while they are the slightest bit warm.
Arrange for annual chimney inspection.
Check the chimneys and flue pipes often for creosote.
Have your chimneys and flue pipes inspected and cleaned annually by a certified professional. Have corroded pipes replaced immediately.
Existing older fireplace units and chimneys should be inspected to ensure they meet some of the new safety guidelines. Some fire departments do this as a public service.
Installation of a new chimney or wood fireplace, and replacement of existing ones should be inspected by certified personnel.
Fire Extinguishers
Train your family members in proper and safe operation. Keep one in the kitchen, one near the barbecue and one near each fireplace as well as in any workshop area where specific tools and combustibles may be used.
Check units every month for possible loss of pressure or damage.
Follow the manufacturer's maintenance plan.
Electrical
Don't overload your circuits. If you find that fuses are blowing repeatedly, don't replace them. Call in an electrical contractor to check out the entire system.
Never use a higher amp fuse than what is called for.
Never use a higher wattage light bulb than what is called for on the fixture.
Don't plug outdoor lights into standard household outlets.
Consider installing a heavier outlet with a separate circuit, specifically for the lights.
Never plug appliances (including microwaves, kettles and frying pans) into an extension cord. Plug directly into the wall socket.
Any major work involving new lighting should be inspected by your local power company.
Home Business Office
Did you know that your home office equipment is not covered under your home insurance policy?
Today, more and more people are choosing to set up their own businesses at home. For insurance purposes, you will need to have contents coverage. This coverage includes everything from computers to cellular phones to barber supplies to power tools. To meet these needs, insurance companies now provide 'Home Business Coverage' that protects your capital equipment for significantly less than a regular commercial policy.
Does your home business put you in a position where you can be held liable for your actions?
You can protect yourself from being sued by obtaining additional liability insurance for your business.
This coverage can prove valuable if:
- A client falls down the stairs while visiting your basement office.
- You are a certified professional accused of malpractice, slander or negligence.
- You or an employee get into an vehicle accident while on a company call.
More about our Business Insurance services
Unique Homes
Van Helden knows that your architect-designed or historic home has to be given the special attention that it deserves. That's why Chubb's Masterpiece Policy has been developed to allow us to offer the broadest possible protection.
Most insurance companies determine the value of your home by simply counting the rooms. With unique homes, we need to understand what makes it unique, often by visiting the homes we insure. Our highly skilled home appraisers use their background in architecture and custom construction, note all the architectural features that make your home special. Then, by calculating the cost to rebuild your home we can ensure you are properly protected.
The appraiser also offers advice on making your home safer - from both a personal safety perspective as well as against fire and burglary. We deliver a complete written report for your records, along with any suggestions or recommendations we have noted.
We offer Extended Replacement Cost for your home on almost every Unique Homes policy, so that, should a covered loss occur, your home is rebuilt using the same quality of materials and workmanship. You can also choose the a Cash Ooption, if you don't want to replace or rebuild it, perhaps you want to build a home at another location or maybe you no longer need a house as large as the one that was lost. You are free to accept the cash and rebuild at your leisure.
Other Tips: [ General | Oil & Gas Industry | Home | Household Property | Leisure Property ]
Send your insurance questions to info@VanHeldenAgencies.com
with any questions about insurance or comments about this web site.
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Van Helden Agencies Ltd. 1215 - 14 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T3C 0W1
plenty of parking on 14th Avenue and on 11th Street & 12th Street
Phone: (403) 244-8957 Fax: (403) 244-6839 Email Us
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