How Often Should I Review My Home Insurance Policy?

One blunder most homeowners make after purchasing a home insurance policy is failing to regularly review it and assume that they are sufficiently covered in perpetuity. They are usually shocked when a peril covered under their home policy occurs and aren’t compensated as expected. As a Hope Hills, NC homeowner, you can avoid such shocks by reviewing your home policy habitually. At Cross Creek Insurance, we suggest that you create a habit of checking your home policy every:

1. Year Before Renewing It

Most home policies offer coverage for a year; however, the insurance provider will renew it automatically if you keep paying your premiums. You should always take the time to reassess your home policy every year before renewing it. Check for any changes the insurer might have made to the terms of the home policy and adjust the deductible to reflect your current financial state.

2. Time the Property Prices in Your Area Rise or Fall

While many homeowners remember to reevaluate their home insurance policy when the prices of their homes rise, very few remember to do the same when the value of their home fall. Reviewing your home insurance when the value of your home goes up means you will get appropriately compensated by the insurer. On the other hand, failing to reassess your home policy when the property value falls means you will lose money paying unnecessarily high premiums. 

3. Time you remodel or renovate your home

Every time you remodel or renovate your home, you should reevaluate your home policy. Thus, the renovations and remodeling that you have done to your property will be covered by your policy.

Hope Hills is one of the best residential areas in North Carolina, which is why you should have home insurance as a homeowner in this area. Contact Cross Creek Insurance in Hope Hills, NC for your home insurance needs.

Is your employer’s life insurance enough coverage for your family?

Life insurance is a vital part of any financial plan. It can help protect you and your loved ones in an emergency or tragedy. It can also help you build up a retirement fund, generate income, and provide for your family in the future. Your employer might have a life insurance plan for you as a perk of your job. However, Cross Creek Insurance of Hope Hills, NC has information that might make you want to supplement this with your own plan.

Does your employer offer enough life insurance coverage?

While it’s great to have access to a perk like life insurance, it’s also important to understand the level of coverage your employer provides and whether you need to add additional coverage on your own. Your employer might offer a few thousand dollars in life insurance coverage, which is certainly better than none, but it might not be enough.

Most insurance experts suggest people with dependents like a spouse or children should have coverage worth at least six times their annual income. Those single or have a spouse who is not dependent on their income need significantly less coverage. However, it’s essential to be sure the amount of coverage you have is enough to meet your final expenses.

What will happen to your life insurance if you lose or change your job?

When you leave a job, your life insurance coverage almost always comes with a provision that it will no longer be eligible insurance as of the date you leave. This can leave you without life insurance coverage when you need it most.

It can also leave you without time to look for a new job and find new insurance coverage before your current coverage runs out. Instead of waiting until the last minute to find new coverage, consider adding supplemental life insurance coverage on your own, so you have more time to find a new job without risking the security of your existing coverage.

Cross Creek Insurance can help the people of Hope Hills, NC find affordable life insurance. Contact us today to find out how.

What Should I Do If I Have A Home Insurance Claim?

If you have a home insurance claim, it’s essential to understand your options and rights. You may be able to get a partial or full refund, or you may be responsible for paying the cost of the claim. Your policy may have a claim handling plan involving sending a certain number of claims to a specific company before passing them on to another one.  

When contacting your insurance company, make sure to let them know if you have already contacted the claims department of your home insurance provider. If you are in a hurry, you can contact Cross Creek Insurance to get an estimate. Our firm serving in Hope Hills, NC can help you get your claim settled on time. 

How to Resolve a Home Insurance Claim 

When you have a home insurance claim, you have the right to have your claim fixed or resolved to your satisfaction. There are a few ways a home insurance claim can be resolved, but one of the most common ways to resolve it is through negotiations with the company. Many resources are available to help you through this process, such as home insurance claim resolution guides, FAQs, and social media communities. 

When you have a severe injury or house fire and need to have your home insurance claim resolved, you may want to work with a professional to help you through the process. An experienced home insurance claims adjuster can help you understand your rights and help you file a claim, if necessary. However, an unprofessional one can cause a lot of stress and make the process of claiming your home insurance claim very difficult. 

Summing Up 

Home insurance claims are very common and usually occur for several different reasons. These reasons can vary from natural disasters to home fires to hail damage. To have a successful home insurance claim, it is crucial that you understand the process and your rights as a policyholder. 

Each state has different regulations and laws regarding home insurance claims. It is vital that you consult with your state’s department of insurance regarding the laws in your state. If you are unsure whether or not your home is insured, or if you would like to know more about how to file a claim on your home insurance policy, contact Hope Hills, NC serving agent, Cross Creek Insurance.

How up-to-date is your home insurance policy?

If you are a homeowner in the greater Hope Hills, NC area, it’s time to get to know the team at Cross Creek Insurance. We are here to serve the insurance needs of our community and would welcome the opportunity to work with you. Give us a call or stop by the office today! 

Keeping your home insurance policy up-to-date

If you have owned your house for a long time, your homeowner’s policy has likely not kept pace with changes to your home’s value. It is not uncommon for your insurance needs to change over time, and unfortunately, keeping our policies updated is often a task that falls through the cracks.

We recommend that our clients review all of their policies at least once a year. We know how hectic daily life can be, and losing track of how up-to-date one’s insurance policies can be complex. Putting a yearly review on the calendar is a great way to ensure that your house has the protection it needs.

Insurance is one of those things that we hope never to have to use, but we are glad it’s there when there is a covered event that takes place in our lives. Ensure that your home insurance policy is up-to-date by reviewing it at least once a year. And, if you find gaps in coverage during your review, now is a perfect time to make changes.

We can help with all of your insurance needs!

Cross Creek Insurance is proud to serve the greater Hope Hills, NC area. We would love to work with you if you need an insurance partner! Come by our office or give us a call today!

Staying Protected With Home Insurance

When you own a home, it’s vital that you have home insurance to cover both it and you. It provides a number of important protections that can save you financially if they are needed. In most cases, mortgage lenders require you to have this insurance. If they don’t, it’s still a smart idea to get this insurance to stay protected against a wide range of risks that can occur. To find out more, call us at Cross Creek Insurance in Hope Hills, NC.

Protection for Your House

One of the most important protection types with a home insurance policy is the protection for the home itself. This coverage type is enough to rebuild the whole house if it becomes necessary after a major incident occurs. If a covered incident happens, such as certain disasters and accidents, your home policy can pay for the needed repairs to your home. This can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on how much the repairs cost and what the home is worth. This is important coverage for all homeowners. 

Protection for Your Possessions

All of your possessions that are inside the house add up to a lot of value, and your home policy protects those as well. It allows your home policy to pay to replace items that are damaged in covered incidents. In some cases, it may pay for repairs of items that can be salvaged. This type of coverage is needed because of the large cost of all of your items when you add them together, and it could be excessively expensive for you to replace them all without this coverage. 

Get Your Home Protected

To get your home insurance policy, give us a call now at Cross Creek Insurance in Hope Hills, NC to find out more about this coverage and to get started. 

Home Insurance – FAQ

If you are buying a home, you need to get home insurance as well. First, because it may be required by your mortgage lender. And second, because it is the most effective protection of your dwelling, yourself, and your personal belongings. If you are a first home buyer, you may find it hard to choose the right insurance. For this reason, Cross Creek Insurance serving Hope Hills, NC prepared a list of the most common questions with the answers about this insurance in order to help you make the right choice. 

What Does Standard Home Insurance Cover?

A standard home insurance policy covers the following things:

  • The structure of your home
  • Other structures on your property, including garage, tool shed, and gazebo
  • Your personal belongings
  • Additional living expenses if your home is temporarily is being repaired and you have to stay somewhere else
  • Personal liability
  • Valuable belongings (you may need additional coverage)

Is My Home Business Covered By Home Insurance?

Unfortunately, most insurance policies do not cover home business. Your policy may cover the replacement and repair of certain equipment or some other electronic devices that you use for your business, but in general, you will need separate coverage to protect your home business. 

What Else Is Not Covered By Home Insurance?

There are some other things that most likely will not be covered by your home insurance policy. For example, damages caused by floods are not covered, even though your insurance will probably cover water damage from a pipe. Therefore, if you live in a flood-prone area, it is recommended to get separate flood insurance. 

Cross Creek Insurance – Your Reliable Insurance Agency in North Carolina

If you are a homeowner from Hope Hills, NC or any other nearby town, and you are looking for home insurance to protect your home, yourself, and personal belongings, you should contact Cross Creek Insurance – a trustworthy insurance agency that will be glad to help you find the perfect policy addressing your personal needs. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us. 

Why should I have home insurance in North Carolina?

When you are in the Hope Hills, NC area, you will have various housing options to consider. One great option is to purchase your home. Those that are property owners here will enjoy long-term appreciation while also having a consistent place to call home. If you do purchase a property, you also need to get insurance for it. You need home insurance here for a few reasons. 

Coverage is a Lender Requirement

A reason to have home insurance in this area of the state is that it will be a requirement set by your mortgage lender. With historically interest rates, financing your home purchase is a good idea in many cases. If you do use a mortgage, there are lender rules that need to be followed. This often includes requiring you to get home insurance and maintain the plan the whole time.

Coverage Protects Your Assets

Even if you do not finance your purchase with a mortgage, you should still get insurance. Your home is a major asset and commitment that you will want to enjoy. To ensure you can continue to benefit from the purchase, you need insurance. With this coverage, you will have the support needed to repair your property if it incurs a variety of different types of damage in the future. 

Owning a home in the Hope Hills, NC area can be a great idea. If you would like to be a property owner here, it would be a good idea for you to call Cross Creek Insurance. If you would like to get a new policy in this area, it would be wise to call Cross Creek Insurance. The team here can offer any guidance that is needed to choose a new plan that will meet your needs. 

How Home Insurance Policies Can Vary

When you buy home insurance for your Hope Hills NC home, it’s likely to vary from your neighbor’s. Yes, home insurance isn’t standard across — many factors cause variations in home insurance. Keen to find out? Hang on, as Cross Creek Insurance explains. 

The factors below may cause your home insurance premiums to vary year on year. These include:

Sum insured

Sum insured refers to the amount you receive when filing a claim. Here, you need to understand the difference between replacement value and market value. The market value includes the value of your land. Simply put, it’s the amount of cash your home would fetch if it were to be sold today. On the other hand, replacement value is the amount it would cost if your house were to be rebuilt today from scratch. 

Depending on the value you use (although replacement value is ideal), your premiums are likely to differ since the two values aren’t the same. 

Deductibles

It’s most likely that your home insurance plan has deductibles, which the amount you pay first before your insurer compensates you. If you choose a high deductible, your premiums reduce — and vice versa is true.

Coverages

The more coverages you include, the more expensive your premiums become. For your home, you can choose the below coverages:

  • Liability coverage
  • Dwelling coverage
  • Additional living coverage
  • Personal contents coverage
  • Other structures
  • Medical payments

As you can see, home insurance is broad. As such, your policy is likely to vary depending on the number of coverages you include in your plan.

Riders / endorsements

These are optional coverages you consider when boosting your home insurance policy. Some examples include flood, umbrella, and sewer backup policies. Definitely, if you consider add-ons, your home insurance policy will vary. 

Other factors that cause home insurance policy to vary include:

  • Home security level
  • Your location
  • Age of your structure
  • People or pets residing in your home
  • Claim history

Would you like to learn more about home insurance? Contact Cross Creek Insurance, serving Hope Hills, NC, and its environs. 

Factors to Consider When Getting Home Insurance

Signing up for home insurance means leaving your home in the hands of a team that you have just met. It is an aspect that will likely leave you with two options; a costly mistake that means paying for inadequate coverage on your property or long-term investment that allows you to enjoy guaranteed security on your home. To help you achieve the latter, Cross Creek Insurance explains what to be on the lookout for when getting home insurance in Hope Hills, NC.

The Cost of Rebuilding Your Home

While some hazards around the home can be avoided, some will generally fall out of your control, with most weather phenomena falling in the second category. If your home suffers any property damage, you need to know that your insurance can take care of repair costs. With this in mind, first, evaluate the cost of home repairs around your area. This means taking into account labor costs as well as the costs of materials used to construct your house.

The Contents of Your Home

Apart from your home’s external components, your home belongings also play a prominent role in the type of home coverage that you get. Take into account the cost of your items, such as furniture, electronics, and valuables such as jewelry. An inventory can help with this and will go a long way in helping you estimate each item’s value and for evidence’s sake when you need to make a claim.

The Specifics of Your Cover

The majority of homeowners insurance will cater to your home’s possessions, the building structure, and liability claims. While this seems like a fair deal, make it a point to check for other specifics that can affect your compensation, such as fires, floods, mold, and sewage. Confirm with your insurance company if these items are covered and if not covered, get extra coverage for your home.

Getting value from your home insurance requires custom coverage based on your needs, an area that Cross Creek Insurance can help with. For more information on home insurance, contact our Hope Hills, NC agents today.

Will Home Insurance Cover Lightning Damage?

The exclusions and covered hazards on your insurance policy generally come down to the cause of damage, rather than what was damaged. So if your Hope Hills, NC home is hit by a car, that’s probably covered no matter where the car hit your home or what sort of damage it did. But flooding will have to be covered by flood insurance.

So what about lightning?

Good news: It’s probably covered.

Different home insurance policies have different exclusions, so you’ll have to check your policy and make sure, and call your agent and ask if you can’t find it listed anywhere. But by and large, you can expect that your home insurance policy does cover lightning damage.

If you’re wondering how much damage lightning can really do, well, lightning heats the surrounding air up to a temperature of about 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit. So to say it can do a lot of damage is an understatement. It’s like launching a flaming cannonball into someone’s home.

50,000 degrees Fahrenheit, by the way, is hotter than the surface of the sun. The good news is that it’s usually raining, so a home struck by lightning might not burn down. But it only takes 50,000 degrees a fraction of a second to do a lot of damage.

If you have any questions or you’re looking to get covered in Hope Hills, NC, get in touch with Cross Creek Insurance. Cross Creek Insurance can get you a good deal on great coverage against everything from lightning and burglary to vandalism and falling trees. Just make sure to read your policy to guarantee your peace of mind.