Many people have a good understanding of homeowners insurance, but here are 10 common myths about home insurance that are easy to fall for.

Myth #1 Flood Damage is Covered Under your Home Insurance Policy

This is a very common myth. Unless you have a separate policy, a standard homeowners insurance policy does not cover flood damage. If you live in an area where flooding is a possibility, make sure you have flood insurance added to your insurance policy.

Myth #2 Medical Expenses are Covered

Home insurance liability only covers medical expenses of guests that are hurt while on your property. If you or anyone in your family is injured, a homeowners insurance policy will not cover this. A health insurance plan is required for these expenses to be covered.

Myth #3 Inventory Lists are Unnecessary

This one is blatantly incorrect. Having an inventory list is the proof of your ownership for specific items in your home. If you need to file a claim for damaged items, you will be asked to provide a list of items that were destroyed. Making a list before anything bad happens is a great idea, as it assures nothing gets missed.

Myth #4 The Premium is Increased Every Time a Claim is Filed

Usually, submitting one claim will not result in an increase of your premium; however, filing multiple claims can do so. Get an estimate of the repairs before filing the claims. If the damages are less than your deductible, pay for it out of pocket to prevent an increase in your premium.

Myth #5 Insurance Covers All Valuables

Homeowners insurance does have monetary limits and coverage for some valuables, but not all. If you have items that have a large amount of worth, it is recommended to purchase extra coverage for those items.

Myth #6 Home Insurance Covers Normal Wear and Tear

Homeowners insurance does not cover damages, such as mold caused by poor maintenance. As the homeowner, you are responsible for upkeep and maintenance of your home. Keeping your home up kept and maintained is the surest way of preventing expensive home damage in the future.

Myth #7 Lower your Premium by Lowering Coverage

It is not always the best idea to save money by reducing your coverage. Coverage is there to protect you from future expenses. To lower your premium, ask your agent if there is anything you can do anything to help lower it. For example, installing a burglar system will often qualify you for a discount. Another option is to raise the policy deductible, which will lower the premium.

Myth #8 Coverage Amount is Based on the Home’s Purchase Price

The amount of coverage is not based on the amount you used to buy the home, but on the cost to replace the home. The size of your home is the big factor in this cost.

Myth #9 It is Impossible to Buy a House Without Homeowners Insurance

Technically it is not required to have homeowners insurance, but most mortgage lenders will require you to have insurance to receive financing from them. They want to protect their investment as well.

Myth #10 Only Talk to your Insurance Agent About Damages When Filing a Claim

It happens fairly often that customers wait too long to file a claim. Don’t be afraid to ask your insurance agent because you think they will file a claim instantly.  A good insurance agent will give you advice that is best for you. If something happens, and you are unsure you want to file it as a claim, talk to your insurance agent and see what they think you should do. The claim will not be filed without you knowing about it first.

If you believed any of these myths, hopefully this blog helped! You, as a valued customer, are always welcome to ask any questions you may have. Give Wetzel Insurance a call at: (574) 267-6183.