Category: Home Insurance

Understanding Home Insurance Requirements in Jasper, AL

While no state laws in Jasper, AL necessitate homeowners to obtain a home insurance policy, such insurance becomes essential if you finance your home with a mortgage. Before the property transaction concludes, your lender will require you to buy home insurance. This policy must remain in effect until the mortgage is fully paid off.

Minimal Home Insurance Requirements

Minimal requirements for home insurance vary by lender. However, the basic requisites overlap across various mortgage providers. Lenders commonly necessitate maintaining hazard coverage on the home. This coverage compensates if your abode sustains damage from inclement weather, smoke, fire, or vandalism. If your locale in Jasper is prone to flooding, your lender may mandate purchasing flood insurance. Liability coverage is also required to safeguard you if someone sustains an injury on your property and decides to press charges. This insurance catheterizes the injured party’s medical bills and potentially covers any legal expenses arising from a lawsuit.

Carefully review your coverage requirements to ensure you can find an appropriate policy at a reasonable price. Simultaneously, avoid settling for basic coverage—adding more facets to your home insurance can offer additional security, potentially saving you significant money in unforeseen events.

Contact Harris Insurance for More Information

At Harris Insurance, our mission is to help homeowners in Jasper, AL, evaluate their coverage options and find home insurance that meets their needs and budget. Contact us to learn more about your options or to secure a single policy or policy bundle.

Harris Insurance Discusses Insurance Coverage From Tree Damage

Trees enhance the beauty of residential property and provide shade that helps to lower energy costs. However, they can sometimes present a hazard when stormy weather or other conditions cause them to fall on structures or block access to areas of your property. Your homeowner’s insurance policy may help to defray some of the costs of tree damage. At Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL, we assist our clients in obtaining the insurance they need to safeguard against financially strenuous losses.

Common Situations of Tree Damage

Large tree limbs falling due to windstorms, lightning, or other conditions aren’t uncommon. Such incidences may result in roof damage, broken windows, and obstructed access to areas. If your tree suffers due to a peril covered by your policy, the resulting damage will most likely be covered by insurance. However, the event is typically not covered if the tree falls due to disease, rot, or age.

Your Deductible Still Applies

If a tree causes damage to your property, you’ll still be required to pay your deductible. However, if the damage exceeds the deductible amount, your coverage will usually apply to mitigate the additional expense of removal and repair of your home.

When Trees Fall on Others’ Property

In some cases, a storm or other issue may damage your neighbor’s trees, which may cause harm to your property. In such an instance, your own homeowner’s policy comes into effect to cover the removal and repair costs. If your tree falls on your neighbor’s property, their insurance takes effect to mitigate the costs caused by the tree.

Make Harris Insurance Your Agent For Homeowners Insurance

Our agents in Jasper, AL, can provide detailed information on the different types of homeowners insurance coverage available. Harris Insurance offers a broad range of insurance policies, including home, auto, RV, life, and business. Contact us today for a no-obligation quote on homeowners insurance that can help mitigate expenses when unexpected events occur.

As spring comes, so does tornado season in Alabama. You hope the worst doesn’t happen. But, should your house be totaled by a tornado, it needn’t be the end of everything. If you have the right insurance, it can even be an opportunity to start over. 

After a Tornado Hits

Keep an ear on the weather reports even after you think it’s over. Local news or NOAA Weather Radio will help keep you updated on tornado activity. Naturally, your family (found or natural) is going to worry about you, and you may worry about them. Texting and social media may be the most reliable means of communication. Once everyone’s safety is evaluated, you can assess the damage. Be sure to be appropriately dressed when walking through storm damage. Wear sturdy shoes, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt. If you see a downed power line, call the appropriate authorities. Stay out of damaged buildings. If you find someone in need of help, render what aid you can and contact emergency response. 

Getting the Insurance Company Involved

While this is indeed a time-sensitive matter, do it as soon as you’ve done the above. Report the damage promptly to file a claim and receive financial help. An adjuster will be sent to your home to assess the damage before processing your claim. 

Contact Harris Insurance Serving Jasper, AL

Insuring your home is important before a disaster happens. If your home is in Jasper, AL, and you’d like to have it insured, please contact Harris Insurance. Our knowledgeable and courteous agents are dedicated to helping you find the perfect policy for your needs. 

At Harris Insurance, we know that your home coverage can be confusing. We also know that it’s easy to make mistakes that could impact your Jasper, AL home. We have had many people asking us about whether or not they can accidentally void their home insurance. Surely that’s not possible, right?

Yes: And Here’s How 

You absolutely can void your homeowner insurance policy by mistake, and it’s important to know how. Here are three of the most common mistakes homeowners make:

• Leaving Your Home Too Long: If you leave your home for 30 days or more without telling your insurance company, you could avoid your policy. Just let us know, and we’ll make sure that you stay protected by keeping your policy active.
• Extensive Renovations: Now, this situation is only a problem if you don’t tell your insurance agent what you’re up to with your home upgrades. Whenever you add new items that increase your home’s value, let us know so that we don’t have to void your policy and get you another one.
• A Home Business: Running a home-based business is an exciting situation but can be a real problem if you don’t get extra policy protection. If you have expensive equipment, keep inventory in your home, or have clients coming and going to and from your home, you could void your policy.

Other ways to avoid your policy include fraudulently reporting or describing an event or change in your property, doing illegal things in your home, or submitting too many claims.

Don’t Make This Mistake

Prevent yourself from voiding your home insurance by contacting us at Harris Insurance and talking with us if you’re close to making these mistakes. We’ll help Jasper, AL residents like you handle this process smoothly and minimize the risk of serious problems that could impact your home’s cost.

All too often homeowners get complaisant because they think that home insurance protects them from everything. If you haven’t read your home insurance policy, you are in for a shock. At Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL, we work with our customers to make sure that they have the proper coverage. As independent insurance agents, we work for our customers and support their best interests. 

Home Insurance Exclusions

Flood

Floods are a dangerous, common, and costly natural disaster. They are also not covered by traditional home insurance. If a pipe breaks in your home, that is covered, but if the water comes from the surface of the land, it will not be covered. You need to get a separate flood insurance policy provided by the NFIP. If you live in a flood plain, your mortgage lender will require that you get this important coverage. 

Sewer backup

Flooding is not something fun to think about, but sewer backup is even worse. And if that wasn’t bad enough, it is not covered by your home insurance. You can get a rider to your policy, however, that will provide that protection. 

Earth movement

Earth movement covers several different types of peril. It includes earthquakes, mudslides, landslides, and sinkholes. None of them are covered by home insurance. You can however get insurance to cover them if they are a concern that you want protection from. 

Owner neglect

As a homeowner, it is your responsibility to maintain your home. You are responsible for making sure you replace things like your roof before they damage your home. It is your responsibility to make sure that you don’t get termites or other critters with treatment before they become an issue. 

Consult With Us

Contact Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL if you have questions about what is and isn’t covered by your home insurance. 

With the threat of storm season looming here in the Jasper, AL area, it’s important to make sure your house is prepared for whatever nature throws your way.

Here are some tips from us at Harris Insurance to help you get ready:

1. Trim trees and shrubs:

Make sure that any trees or shrubs near your home are trimmed back so strong winds won’t easily uproot them.

2. Secure outdoor furniture and decorations:

Bring in lawn furniture, umbrellas, and decorations that can easily be blown away in high winds.

3. Seal windows and doors:

Check all outside windows and doors for cracks or gaps where air can seep in. Add weather-stripping or caulking if needed to seal the openings and prevent water from entering your home.

4. Clear gutters:

Be sure to clear out any debris from your gutters so rainwater can drain properly and not damage your roof or siding. 

5. Stock up on supplies:

Have an emergency supply kit ready with items such as non-perishable food items, first-aid materials, flashlights, batteries, etc., in case of a power outage during the storm. 

Keep Your Home Insurance Updated

By following these simple steps before a storm hits, you can rest assured knowing that you have taken every measure to protect yourself, your family, and your home from potential damage caused by severe weather conditions!

For more tips, give us at Harris Insurance a call today. We would be happy to help you find a homeowner’s insurance policy that meets both your needs as well as your budget. We are proud to serve the Jasper, AL area and look forward to serving you!

With the threat of storm season looming here in the Jasper, AL area, it’s important to make sure your house is prepared for whatever nature throws your way.

Here are some tips from us at Harris Insurance to help you get ready:

1. Trim trees and shrubs:

Make sure that any trees or shrubs near your home are trimmed back so strong winds won’t easily uproot them.

2. Secure outdoor furniture and decorations:

Bring in lawn furniture, umbrellas, and decorations that can easily be blown away in high winds.

3. Seal windows and doors:

Check all outside windows and doors for cracks or gaps where air can seep in. Add weather-stripping or caulking if needed to seal the openings and prevent water from entering your home.

4. Clear gutters:

Be sure to clear out any debris from your gutters so rainwater can drain properly and not damage your roof or siding. 

5. Stock up on supplies:

Have an emergency supply kit ready with items such as non-perishable food items, first-aid materials, flashlights, batteries, etc., in case of a power outage during the storm. 

Keep Your Home Insurance Updated

By following these simple steps before a storm hits, you can rest assured knowing that you have taken every measure to protect yourself, your family, and your home from potential damage caused by severe weather conditions!

For more tips, give us at Harris Insurance a call today. We would be happy to help you find a homeowner’s insurance policy that meets both your needs as well as your budget. We are proud to serve the Jasper, AL area and look forward to serving you!

When you purchase home insurance, there are a lot of potentially costly mistakes that it’s important for you to avoid. At Harris Insurance, we can help you to avoid mistakes when you insure your home in Jasper, AL.

Here are four common home insurance mistakes to avoid:

Buying the first home insurance policy that you come across

Getting quotes and comparing them is an important step in the process of buying home insurance. If you don’t compare quotes, you won’t know if the policy that you’re purchasing is competitively priced and offers you high-quality coverage.

Foregoing coverage for sewer backups

Sewer backups are a fairly common and unpleasant problem in a home that a standard home insurance policy doesn’t usually cover. You’ll need to have this type of coverage added to your policy if you want to benefit from it. 

Assuming you have coverage that you don’t have

Read the fine print and know what’s covered in your policy. Unfortunately, homeowners sometimes make assumptions about what their policy covers and then end up disappointed when accidents happen, and they try to file a claim for damages that aren’t covered. 

Failing to take the time to customize your coverage

You can customize your home insurance policy by adding certain types of coverage or choosing particular deductible or maximum coverage amounts that best meet your needs.

Taking the time to customize your policy by making such adjustments helps ensure that you’re getting the best possible policy for your needs. 

We Are Here To Help!

Contact us at Harris Insurance for a quote on an insurance policy for your property in Jasper, AL. We’ll be happy to come to your assistance and answer all your questions about the home insurance policies that we offer. 

People that are in the Jasper, AL area may find that owning a home is a great housing option. When you are going to purchase a home in this part of the state, it is always wise to get insurance for the home.

There are various reasons why having a home insurance plan here will be a good idea:

Coverage Protects Assets

An important reason that you should have a home insurance plan is so you can protect your assets. Your home is likely the largest and most valuable asset that you will ever own. Due to this, ensuring you have support if it sustains damage is important. One way this can be done is by getting a full home insurance plan, which offers coverage if you incur damage from a covered loss. A home insurance policy also offers coverage for your personal assets up to the policy limits. 

Comply with Requirements

You also will want to have a home insurance plan so you can comply with various requirements. If you choose to buy a home, you will likely have various insurance requirements. These can be set by mortgage lenders or home associations. When you are properly insured, you can stay in good standing with these requirements. This could help you avoid penalization or being in default on various agreements. 

Contact Us Today

It is always a good idea for people in the Jasper, AL area to have home insurance. If you are looking for this coverage in Alabama, it would be helpful to call Harris Insurance. There are a lot of choices to make when looking for coverage and Harris Insurance can help you assess your options. This can help ensure you are able to build a plan that will properly meet your needs. 

If you own a home, it’s vital that you have the right insurance coverage for it. It’s important to always have a home insurance policy to cover the home and protect your own finances. A home is likely your largest investment, and it’s smart to always keep it protected. In addition, it is generally required by lenders that you must have this insurance in place to protect their investment as well. When you need a home insurance policy, call us at Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL to find out more.

Benefits of Home Insurance

Protection for Your Possessions

One of the ways that your home insurance keeps you protected is that it provides coverage for all of your possessions that are in the house. It’s important to have this coverage because you never know when a damaging event could destroy your things. If this were to happen, it could cost many thousands of dollars to replace it all. Home insurance is the policy that pays for the replacement of all of those items. The amount of items in your home adds up to a very large value, so keep it all protected with home insurance. 

Dwelling Protection

Home insurance also covers the dwelling. If a serious event happened to the home, and it needed repairs, the home policy would pay for those repairs. Home repairs, especially major ones, can be prohibitively expensive to pay for. Without home insurance, you might not be able to afford them. It’s never a good idea to go without this coverage because of the many things that can happen that damage a home.

Get Your Home Insurance Policy Today

If you are going without home insurance, or you are buying a home, you need to set up a home insurance policy. Call us at Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL and we will assist you to get the coverage you need.