Homeowners Insurance 101: Choosing Adequate Coverage

Buying a new home can be one of the most exciting experiences in a person’s life. If you have recently purchased a new home, obviously, you want to protect your major investment, which is why buying homeowners insurance is so important. If you’re unsure exactly what homeowners insurance covers, here is an overview that can help. 

What Homeowners Insurance Covers

Homeowners insurance covers a lot, and in cases where you’re sued, your home is burglarized, or several other events, you won’t be required to pay for repairs out of pocket. Homeowners insurance also covers personal property, the property itself, damage from a fire, and much more. 

What Homeowners Insurance Doesn’t Cover

Like other types of insurance, homeowners insurance does have its limitations, and it doesn’t cover everything. Some things that it doesn’t cover are:

  • Damage from floods or earthquakes
  • Expensive jewelry
  • And more, depending on the specific insurer

The Benefits of Homeowners Insurance

There are definite benefits to ensuring you have adequate homeowners insurance. Firstly, most mortgage companies make having it mandatory so that you would be adhering to their rules. Another advantage of this type of insurance is that if you’re ever sued, your insurance company would pay for any damages, and you wouldn’t be required to pay out of pocket. Furthermore, homeowners insurance covers numerous situations, which could cost you a lot of money out of pocket without insurance.

As you can see, homeowners insurance is not only important, but in most cases, it’s mandatory. If your home is located in the New Windsor, NY area, and you’re searching for a new insurance agency, contact us at Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. We have served the New Windsor, NY area for some time, and our professional and friendly agents would be more than happy to provide you with a quote as well as any other information as well. 

Tips for getting your home ready for winter

New Windsor, NY can get mighty cold in the winter, and making sure that your home is prepared can save you energy, money, and worry. At Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. we are independent insurance agents who place the needs of our customers first. We know that we work for you, and we will make sure we offer you the best options to protect your home. 

Tips for getting your home ready for winter

Plug the leaks

Given the cost of keeping your home snug and warm during the winter, it makes good sense to make sure you are not losing any heat. Begin your search for leaks by checking the insulation in your attic. It is simple and inexpensive to add another layer. Doors and windows need to fit tightly and by using caulk or weather stripping you can plug any leaks. 

Have winter supplies ready

Sand and salt can help to keep your walkways and driveway from becoming a slip-and-fall hazard. Put your bags in any easy-to-access location. 

Get the snowblower tuned up

Making sure your snowblower is up and running before you actually need it is important. 

Have the chimney and furnace cleaned

Getting your chimney and furnace clean is vital for your safety. It should be done every year to get rid of any creosote that may have accumulated in the chimney. A clean furnace is also more efficient. 

Carbon monoxide detector checkup

People die every year needlessly from carbon monoxide poisoning. Check the batteries and make sure your detector is in the right location. 

Clean the gutters

Clogged gutters can result in roof damage, which can be expensive. If you can’t do it yourself, hire someone or get covers for your gutters to make sure they run freely. 

Get Insurance Coverage for Your Home

Contact Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. in New Windsor, NY when you want to discuss your home insurance coverage. 

Is Home Insurance Required in New York?

Homeowners in New Windsor, NY should be well versed in the requirements of insurance in the state. While it’s not legally mandated to maintain a home insurance policy, your lender will most likely require you to have an insurance policy on the home. 

Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. highly recommends pursuing an insurance company that has experts in the field that can accurately assess your property to provide a quote and plan that best suits your lifestyle and needs. Anybody can sell insurance, but it’s important to select a company that knows what they’re doing and are passionate about helping you feel protected within the four walls of your home. 

What Does a Home Insurance Policy Cover?

The home insurance policy you select can vary, but the majority of these types of plans include coverage for the structure of your home, the personal belongings inside the home, and any structures on your property, like a pool or detached garage. If your property includes any of these, that’s a great point of clarification to get when you meet with an insurance provider. Make sure you determine what items on your property need insurance and the valuable items within your home as well. 

Taking an inventory of your home and its precious items is a great way to protect any financial investments you’ve made over the years. Home insurance can offer protection from burglaries, damage from weather and natural disasters, repairs needed, and much more. 

Life in New Windsor, NY truly can’t be beaten. If you’re a homeowner and interested in evaluating your current policy or pursuing a new one, contact the team at Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. We’re here to help. 

Home Insurance Myths To Avoid While Researching Policies

Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. serves the New Windsor, NY community by offering residents multiple insurance coverage types. We strive to make things easier for our clients. For over 25 years, we have been committed to providing customer service that exceeds expectations.

Home Insurance Myths To Avoid

Your home is one of your most prized possessions. However, one accident can cause major damage. That’s why home insurance is an asset. Home insurance covers you if your property is damaged or vandalized. Your personal items inside of your home are also covered if they are stolen. Liability coverage protects you if someone gets injured while visiting your home. As you are researching different policies, avoid some of these common home insurance myths.

Any Flood Damage Is Covered

This is incorrect. During severe weather in New Windsor, NY, there is a possibility that flooding will occur. If your home is damaged due to a flood, you will not be automatically protected under your home insurance policy. You’ll have to look into adding special flood coverage.

Your Luxury Items Are Covered

This is also incorrect. If you have special luxury items such as antiques, you’ll have to amend your policy to ensure that you are covered if the items are damaged or stolen.

I’ll Be Covered If I Start A Work From Home Business.

If you want to start a work from home business, you are not fully covered under your home insurance policy. Working from home exposes you to a unique set of risks. That’s why you’ll need to look into a commercial policy to cover your business fully.

Consult With Windgate Insurance Agency Inc. 

Visit our website to learn more information about home insurance.

Why a New York Homeowner Needs to Have Home Insurance

One of the biggest decisions that someone in the New Windsor, NY area will ever have to make occurs when they buy a home. For those that want a stable place to live, owning a property is often the ideal option. If you are looking to buy a home, you will be much better off if you get a home insurance policy. There are several reasons why having this insurance is a necessity.

Ensures Contractual Compliance 

If you buy a property, there likely will be a variety of legal agreements that will require that you have home insurance. Anyone that purchases a home with a mortgage will be required under their loan agreements to carry home insurance at all times. Further, anyone that lives in a home association will be required to carry a full home insurance policy.

Property and Liability Coverage 

The main benefit of having insurance on your home is that it will provide you with very valuable coverage. This insurance will give you protection if your home is damaged by a fire, bad storm, or another type of casualty. With the policy, you will also get very important liability coverage. This will ensure you are covered if you are found liable for an injury or other accidents that occur on your property.

No matter what your personal situation is, it is very important that you have insurance on your New York property at all times. Those that are in the New Windsor, NY area and want to buy a home should call the Windgate Insurance Agency, Inc. to learn more about home insurance. The team at Windgate Insurance Agency, Inc. can explain to you all of your insurance options to make sure that you get the right insurance for your home and situation.