Building And Contents Insurance http://www.buildingandcontentsinsurance.org Independent Information and Advice Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:04:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 Landlord Building Insurance http://www.buildingandcontentsinsurance.org/building-insurance/landlord-building-insurance/ http://www.buildingandcontentsinsurance.org/building-insurance/landlord-building-insurance/#comments Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:50:07 +0000 admin http://www.buildingandcontentsinsurance.org/?p=51

Landlord building insurance is a form of cover for property owners who rent or lease property or parts thereof to other people or companies.

Just like the basic homeowner’s policy, this policy normally covers any damage to the building and the belongings of the owner. It also has liability and medical coverage in case of injuries that occur on the property. The contents found inside the building are not covered; property of the owner that is used and stored on the premises is.

Landlord Building Insurance Options

Particular coverage will vary depending on the policy, with each additional option added increasing the cost. One way to greatly decrease this price is to the lower the deductible set for each claim filed. A deductible is the amount needed to pay if there is ever property loss. This amount usually ranges from $100 to 5% of amount of building coverage.

Comprehensive covers the loss from every cause unless something is specifically excluded in the policy. A policy with a lower cost may limit the coverage to certain situations. An ‘actual cash value’ policy will pay back the owner for the property value less it depreciation. A policy that has a higher cost ‘replacement value’ will pay the owner the replacement cost, but only if an item is actually bought for replacement.

The actual cash value coverage considers depreciation when it comes to paying claims but does have a lower premium. Replacement cost coverage does pay the cost of replacing damage to a building, but the landlord has to rebuild the property to be reimbursed the full cost.

There are some landlord building insurance policies that cover income from a rental during a time of repair; otherwise known as loss of rent coverage. A policy may also cover any court costs due to evicting a tenant for not paying rent. The owner of the property can be provided with insurance for landlord contents like appliances and furniture

Additional options may be added to Landlords Insurance:

  • Emergency assistance to help pay the cost of calling a contractor
  • Legal Expenses to cover costs when problems arise with tenants
  • Rent Guarantees that cover when a particular property is not occupied
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Tenants Insurance http://www.buildingandcontentsinsurance.org/building-insurance/tenants-insurance/ http://www.buildingandcontentsinsurance.org/building-insurance/tenants-insurance/#comments Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:15:46 +0000 admin http://www.buildingandcontentsinsurance.org/?p=49

Tenant’s insurance is important for those who rent an apartment, condo, townhouse or duplex. Tenant’s insurance protects you against any loss or damage to personal property.

When renting, the owner of the building usually has insurance that gives protection to the physical part of the building where you live but the owner’s insurance does not cover your personal property.

Landlords and Tenants Insurance

These days most landlords require tenants to purchase tenants insurance before a lease is signed. Actually, this is a wise thing to do because not only does it give the renter cover and peace of mind but may prevent a lawsuit for both the renter and the landlord and it holds both parties liable for damages that might occur.

But, before signing up for renter’s insurance you need to ask yourself several key questions such as:

  • If my belongings were stolen or damaged, how much would it cost to replace them?
  • And, if my belongings were stolen or damaged, could I afford to replace them?
  • If there were a fire or water damage, how much would it cost to replace my belongings and would I have the funds to do so?

Insuring Personal Property

When thinking of tenants insurance it is important to remember that you don’t want to insure just a few key items because when tragedy occurs, you won’t know what items will be sparred and what items will not. So, it is important to insure all of your property.

Key Points for Tenant’s Insurance

Things to keep in mind when purchasing tenants insurance are:

  • the deductible – the higher the deductible the lower the cost of tenants insurance,
  • actual cash value – coverage that pays for what the item is worth and
  • replacement cost – which is coverage that provides for the actual replacement value of the item – but without no deduction for depreciation.

The replacement cost type of renter’s insurance has an additional premium but many have found that it is well worth the extra expenditure.

There are; however, ways in which you can save on tenants insurance. Discounts can be found if you have the following plus factors:

  • Dead bolts on all exterior doors
  • Auto insurance with that provider
  • Burglar alarms or fire alarms
  • Sprinkler systems
  • Fire extinguishers
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Residential Buildings Insurance http://www.buildingandcontentsinsurance.org/building-insurance/residential/ http://www.buildingandcontentsinsurance.org/building-insurance/residential/#comments Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:51:05 +0000 admin http://www.buildingandcontentsinsurance.org/?p=53

If you are the owner of a residential property, you will find that getting adequate insurance is one of the best business decisions that you can make. Insurance can cover you in the case of urgent situations. Many people look for opportunities to attack people that they feel have a good income. As an owner of a residential property, you could find yourself the target of many frivolous lawsuits.

Having the right insurance will insure your success against scoundrels like this.

Insurance is available from many different companies. Some of them are local, and others provide coverage nationwide. Looking around online will help you compare rates and providers effectively.

Residential Business Insurance is Vital for Your Business Needs

If you are the proprietor of a apartment property, you will find that finding competent insurance is one of the strongest business decisions that you can make. You will insure that you are viewed by the government, and other business people as a professional, and you will make sure that you covered in the case of natural disaster, or customer issues that can later lead to building damage. Getting the right coverage is vital to your success.

As a Successful Businessperson, it’s Vital to Protect Your Interests

Insurance can cover you in the event of desperate situations. Many individuals search for chances to approach individuals that they find have a firm income. As an owner of a multiple unit building, you could find yourself the mark of many a frivolous lawsuits.

If you find yourself the target of an unfounded lawsuit, the proper insurance providers will make sure that your case is completely well-researched and that any false charges are proven false. You will not be a victim of fraud perpetrators if you have good insurance.

What is the Easiest Way to Find Residential Business Insurance?

This insurance is for sale from numerous different companies. Some of them are within your area, and others provide coverage across the country. Looking around on the web will help you compare prices and suppliers easily. There is no longer any need to search for this type of insurance in the telephone book. Companies that can provide you with the coverage you need will have adequate representation, and information readily available online. Shopping around online will also allow you to find recent customer reviews to help you make an even more educated decision.

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Second Home Insurance http://www.buildingandcontentsinsurance.org/building-insurance/second-home-insurance/ http://www.buildingandcontentsinsurance.org/building-insurance/second-home-insurance/#comments Tue, 19 Jan 2010 02:08:52 +0000 admin http://www.buildingandcontentsinsurance.org/?p=46

If you own a second home, you need to look for insurance for this property. This will protect your investment in the event of theft or damage. Really, a home costs quite a bit of money. If you want to protect your home, insurance is definitely a solid choice. You never know who will offer you the best second home insurance plans. The following are some tips for how to find a plan and company that are right for you and your home.

Use Price Comparison Websites

You can find just about any information you want by using the Internet. Take the time to use price comparison websites if you want to find out what different companies have to offer you. This means entering in some basic information about the type of property you want to insure and what your budget looks like for this plan. The website will compile a list of plans from companies around the world. Being able to look at plans side by side will enable you to see which groups have the best plans for the best rates.

Research Companies

Once you have a list of possibilities, it is time to research different companies. Always read reviews and ratings. You can find articles from financial groups and by customers who have worked with these companies in the past. You want to work with a well-respected group so that you know they will help you if an emergency of issue comes up.

Ask Loved Ones

Ask friends and family members about their insurance plans. Your loved ones may have some solid information and recommendations about which groups to work with. Ask about everything from plan prices to customer service. This will give you a good idea of what to expect from a company.

Call Around

Take the time to meet with companies in your community if you want to find solid deals on insurance. There may be discounts that you have not heard about or seen online. It always pays to talk to groups in person. You never know what they can work out for you. If you have insurance on your first home, check with this company to see if they will cut you a deal. Groups that have already worked with you will have built relationships with you and will want to work with you. Additionally, if you already have insurance and have been up to date with the payments, you will have already shown the company that you are a low risk investment. Thus, they will be more likely to cut you deals.

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Contents Insurance for Homeowners http://www.buildingandcontentsinsurance.org/contents-insurance/homeowners/ http://www.buildingandcontentsinsurance.org/contents-insurance/homeowners/#comments Sat, 05 Sep 2009 11:12:03 +0000 admin http://www.buildingandcontentsinsurance.org/?p=39

One of the most important things you as a homeowner can do to protect your investment is to insure your home and property. Contents insurance is a vital component of your insurance protection, yet it is one of the least understood parts of a comprehensive home insurance plan. Your insurance agent can help you in determining which contents insurance coverage is right for your family’s needs, but some general guidelines can also be helpful in your decision-making process.

General home insurance policies cover the cost of rebuilding your home in case of a fire, flood, or other destructive event. Contents insurance, as the name suggests, covers the expense of replacing the contents of your home in these same events. These policies usually cover items lost to theft as well, allowing you to replace your destroyed or stolen property without serious financial repercussions. Contents insurance policies can be divided into two general types: actual cash value and replacement value.

Actual cash value policies offer you the current value of your lost items at the time of the claim. Since property usually depreciates, or decreases in value, over time, this type of contents insurance is often less expensive, but offers a lower payment for your lost items. For instance, if you lose a recently purchased stereo system, it’s likely your insurance company will give you a payment equivalent to its used value, rather than the amount you paid for it new. In some cases this can represent a significant financial burden, especially if your property will be difficult to replace with equivalently used items.

Replacement value policies pay you the amount it would cost to purchase your items at the time of loss, allowing you to immediately buy replacements. This can save you time and worry during a stressful situation. However, replacement value coverage is more expensive and requires that you keep your insurance agent up to date on major purchases.

Some types of items have limits on coverage; any losses over this limit will not be covered. Such items include jewelry, cash, rugs, computers, firearms, rugs, and silverware, among others. These items can be covered at full value by adding an endorsement to your policy or by purchasing optional supplemental coverage. However, most insurance companies also limit contents insurance coverage to a certain percentage of the structure limit, the amount the insurance company is required to pay to rebuild your home in the case of a total loss. Your insurance agent can give you more details on exactly how much and what kinds of things are covered under your contents insurance policy, and how best to protect your home and belongings.

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Landlord’s Guide To Building Insurance http://www.buildingandcontentsinsurance.org/building-insurance/landlords-guide/ http://www.buildingandcontentsinsurance.org/building-insurance/landlords-guide/#comments Wed, 02 Sep 2009 08:16:09 +0000 admin http://www.buildingandcontentsinsurance.org/?p=36

As a landlord, it is vital that you insure the property and contents within the building that you own. Landlord insurances is not required legally, but is very highly recommended. Properties can be very expensive and are typically long-term investments so they need to be safeguarded. All it could take is one incident to occur unexpectedly for an investment to suffer a lot of damage. If a landlord’s property insurance policy is not secured, the result could be a lot of lost money. A property owner should also consider insurance that provides liability to protect against any claims from a tenant who may try to hold the owner responsible for any injury that takes place within the property.

Why Not Use a Household Policy?

There are many reasons to make sure you do not use a standard household policy in the place of a landlords building policy. The benefits that are available with a household policy are reduced or changed when the property is let. Insurance coverage is very important and lenders will want to see the insurance policy before agreeing to home loan lending.

The typical coverage will vary based on requirements and details of the property. A general policy will cover for lightning, fire, storm, flood, riot, falling trees, malicious, theft, land slip, ground heave, explosion, earthquake, subsidence, liability for property owner and escape of water.

A building insurance policy will be higher for a building that has a higher rebuild value and therefore a building with a lower rebuild value will have a lower policy cost.

Location, Location, Location

Location of the building will also affect the cost of the policy; if it is located in an area of high risk, the owner of the policy will be paying more. Some insurance providers will offer a discount to your policy depending on the type of tenant living in the property.

Landlord property insurance is a particular type of homeowners insurance for someone who owns one or more rental properties. The most important thing to remember for yourself as a landlord is to protect your property and your investment itself.

Rental property is a very large and important investment and if it is somehow damaged, the insurance is available to help you recover and get things back to normal again.

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The Building Insurance Bible http://www.buildingandcontentsinsurance.org/building-insurance/bible/ http://www.buildingandcontentsinsurance.org/building-insurance/bible/#comments Wed, 02 Sep 2009 08:13:25 +0000 admin http://www.buildingandcontentsinsurance.org/?p=33

Whether you rent or sublet an apartment or home, you may want to look into the purchase of contents insurance to protect your personal valuables. Numerous insurance companies use words, such as “home insurance” to address both the structure and content, which is solely your personal items.

Some people find this terminology to be a little confusing especially new home buyers or leaseholders. Home insurance coverage includes the structure of the home collectively with its fixtures and fittings. In addition, it insures the price of repair or reconstruction after catastrophic events due to fire or severe weather.

Contents insurance addresses your individual possessions. This includes all the items you would carry away with you normally when you plan to move to a different locale. Typically, content insurance safeguards your electronics including your TV, CD/DVD player, computer game players, laptop computer or PC, gems or metal jewelry, heirlooms, and even your favorite porcelain china.

Home insurers recommend that items you would choose to protect should be included in your contents insurance coverage. It is also significant that you find out the estimated cost of your articles to be insured. This guarantees the correct amount of insurance coverage in case of unexpected loss.

You could be expected to provide information in relation to the monetary value of your items. Perhaps, it would be ideal to obtain a valuation certificate for your higher appreciated tokens itemized on your contents coverage too.

You could likewise be asked to demonstrate added security measures, such as deadbolt locks or alarm systems to inhibit theft. Several contents insurance underwriters provide coverage against unintended damage due to theft.

A number of contents insurance companies offer pro-Tem coverage for personal belongings, which is useful when you want to travel for any duration. If you will be away from your home for a few days; it is assuring that your property is adequately protected.

As various insurance policies contain exclusions or restrictions do make sure you select the most appropriate insurance coverage for you. It is essential to view terms of your current position in case you do not have sufficient coverage. If you want added coverage, then you will be able to purchase supplemental insurance as needed.

Contents insurance is not required, but it provides pease of mind. If you need information regarding contents underwriters in your locale, you can contact your local housing agency for general information

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Tips for Building And Contents Insurance http://www.buildingandcontentsinsurance.org/contents-insurance/tips/ http://www.buildingandcontentsinsurance.org/contents-insurance/tips/#comments Wed, 02 Sep 2009 07:34:20 +0000 admin http://www.buildingandcontentsinsurance.org/?p=29

Many home owners likely do not understand content insurance or its significance. Some policy owners believe that the contents of the home are covered by the home owner’s insurance policy. In this budget-conscience time, more and more policies are being written with fewer and fewer frills. Often times these frills are riders on home owner’s policies which reference personal property. Today, probably more than any other era, people own costly portable devices. What happens if an iphone costing hundreds of dollars is crushed in a door or perhaps a high end laptop drops in a sink full of water? The truth may be surprising. Some home owner’s policies only include items which are permanently attached to the insured home or structure, leaving many items uncovered or covered with a high deductible.

Content Insurance on Home Owner’s Policy

Content insurance is available in a number of varieties, from specific coverage of jewelry or heirlooms to general coverage of belongings. Often specifics will appear as a rider on a home owner’s policy. It’s a good idea to read the latest copy of your home owner’s policy. Some policies cover the home contents with a $1,000 deductible, which is not too useful if the cost of a deductible for a loss resembles a mortgage payment or outweighs the cost of the loss.

Tailored Content Insurance

In contrast, content insurance is likely to have a wide variation of deductibles as low as $50 to the $500 range. Often it can include items which can be transported in and out of the home. Always check the fine print. Some examples of these items can include: portable electronics such as mobile phones, laptops and cameras; surfboards, kayaks, skate boards, bicycles, camping gear and even garage items like pressure washers, snow removal equipment, chain saws and more. Specific items should be discussed with the agent when a tailored policy is necessary.

Inventory Your Possessions

It’s also important when selecting a content insurance policy (or a rider on an existing policy) to thoroughly inventory all valuable possessions in the insured home and/or structures. This should be updated yearly before existing coverage is renewed. Costly possessions may be too expensive to replace, but a call to an agent is free.

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Commercial Building Insurance http://www.buildingandcontentsinsurance.org/non-residential/commercial-building/ http://www.buildingandcontentsinsurance.org/non-residential/commercial-building/#comments Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:07:01 +0000 admin http://www.buildingandcontentsinsurance.org/?p=22

The owner of a commercial building needs to insure his property. The specifics of the necessary insurance can vary according to the type of building. Hospitals, apartment buildings, department stores and office high rises all have different coverage requirements.

Named Peril

Some commercial insurance only covers structure; other insurance covers the inventory inside. More extensive policies cover for personal injury or death and injury within the premises.

A “named peril” policy covers only those risks named in the contract. It might cover only fire and theft but exclude all other risks.

All Risk Policy

An “all risk” policy, on the other hand, covers all hazards except those specifically excluded. When purchasing commercial insurance, it is important to understand what loss is covered.

Apartment Buildings

An apartment building needs coverage for the building’s structure, but the owner will want liability coverage for injury to tenants and their guests. The owner may be responsible for damage to an attached parking lot, as well.

Retail Premises

The owner of a strip mall needs to be concerned about more than simple building damage. There are the common areas to consider. What happens if a store sign falls on a customer? Who is responsible in the event of a fight between customers? Is special glass insurance necessary to cover damage to the windows of store fronts?

Hospitals

Hospitals have special insurance needs. In addition to damage to building and expensive equipment, any policy must provide for liability in the event of a malpractice suit or injury to a patient or visitor and accidents involving the hospital’s ambulances while off-premises.

Office Buildings

The owner of an office building has concerns that go beyond structural damage and general liability. He might consider accounts receivable insurance coverage, which provides coverage in the event records are destroyed and the company cannot collect on its bills. Crime insurance offers protection against loss from a burglary.

Vacant Property

While a vacant building does not appear to require more than basic coverage, the opposite is the case. Vacant buildings can become the site of criminal activity, and the owner is responsible for physical injuries sustained on the premises, including injuries to unauthorized intruders. Vacant buildings also represent a high fire risk. An average of 15,000 fires occur each year in vacant buildings.

Regardless of the type of building, adequate commercial insurance protection can help avoid financial disaster.

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Homeowner’s Guide to Building Insurance http://www.buildingandcontentsinsurance.org/building-insurance/homeowners-guide/ http://www.buildingandcontentsinsurance.org/building-insurance/homeowners-guide/#comments Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:46:59 +0000 admin http://www.buildingandcontentsinsurance.org/?p=18

The inner workings of homeowners insurance are pretty much a mystery to everyone but die-hard financial braniacs. Many don’t know if their coverage is “replacement” or “cash value.” They don’t know that Grandma’s cherry buffet may not be covered, and, almost certainly, the average homeowner does not have a necessary, detailed inventory of their possessions.

Many homeowners skate by on their ignorance. They may go years without filing a claim, or the claim may be so small as to not be disastrous. Once the damage is done, ignorance becomes more of a liability than that 200-foot poplar that finally came down on the neighbor’s house. Die-hard financial braniacs start looking more like sensible guys with a good common sense to the unschooled consumer who just got burned. Homeowners insurance needn’t be complicated. Knowing the basics can go a long way in protecting yourself from future liability.

Maintain your property

This seems pretty basic, but for strapped homeowners in a tight economy, it bears repeating. That poplar that came down on a neighbor’s yard? The homeowner on whose property the poplar grew was responsible for the damage. But guess what? His homeowners insurance policy did not cover the damage. It was well established that the tree had been leaning and basic maintenance dictated that it be taken down. Homeowners insurance will not pay for you to neglect your property.

Opt for replacement coverage rather than cash value coverage

Sure, it costs more, but, if you don’t, you run the risk of campfire cooking because the old stove that burned in the fire was fifteen years old and almost worthless.

Maintain a detailed inventory

The insurance company wants to make money. It does this by maintaining a fine line between customer service, to maintain market share, and minimizing claim loss. When you have a large claim such as a home fire, that insurance company may likely not want you back as a customer when you get back on your feet. The point? The insurance agent is a business person, and not your friend. The agent and company are protecting their business interests, and so should you. Make a detailed inventory of your possessions complete with pictures and purchase information. Keep records of home improvements. Then store this information away from your home, preferably in an area that won’t be hit by the same natural disaster.

What ignorance pays in restful nights during non-eventful times, it buys with anxiety and regret later on, after unnecessary damage and loss has happened.

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