Arizona home insurance can easily be one of the most costly expenses of home ownership. If you have a mortgage, you are forced to cover the property to protect the bank’s investment. This type of insurance covers the buildings and your personal belongings. This is separate from title insurance that pays you, the consumer, in the event you lose the home through incorrect title searches.
Policies also have options called “riders” where additional personal property such as jewelry, furs, high end electronics (home theater equipment), etc.
Some geographic areas fall within zones that require even more insurance such as flood insurance. Flood insurance comes in two types: mandatory and optional. If you live in a flood zone such as within a few miles of the coast, you will be required to have flood insurance. If you do experience a flood caused by a storm, only your flood insurance policy will cover your losses. If you don’t live in a flood zone it’s still a good idea to have flood insurance if you live within a reasonable distance from the official flood plain.
There are governing boards in each state that monitor all the insurance companies. They set rates and hear disputes between consumers and the companies. If you have a problem that can’t be solved any other way, contact your state’s board of overseers for information on how to proceed with a complaint. Many states allow you to file one on line. You will be kept in the loop as to when and if an investigation will be performed.
Don’t over pay for unnecessary coverage; Arizona home insurance can be very expensive. Look at higher deductibles and try to re-evaluate your furniture’s true worth.
Unless you own expensive irreplaceable antiques, or something that was custom made, you have a good chance of paying for your furniture over and over during the course of a policy where you never have a claim. It may be more cost effective to pay a minimal amount for insurance and gamble on the fact that nothing is going to happen to your home to cause a total loss including furniture.
Also make sure you are insuring your home for replacement value, not what you paid for your home. If you have used the same company for years you may not pay attention to anything except the renewal notices, and not review the policy.
Keep in mind that insurance companies are structured to make it difficult for you to get a major claim paid. This is what public adjusters are for. Take advantage of the services of a public adjuster if you believe your insurance company is undercutting your claim, or your claim is denied.
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