Category: Home Insurance

Insuring Older Homes: Pros, Cons, and Tips for Effective Coverage

At H. Dean Allison Insurance, we take pleasure in offering comprehensive insurance coverage for a wide array of homes throughout the Altoona, PA area. From single-family homes and duplexes to condos, large estates, farmhouses, and properties within gated communities, we provide custom insurance solutions to suit your unique needs. If you own or are considering purchasing an older home, it pays to be aware of some of the benefits and drawbacks of insuring such properties.

Advantages of Insuring an Older Home in Pennsylvania

Many older homes in the Altoona area are superbly crafted and constructed from quality, durable materials and have withstood our region’s demanding winters and hot summers. They often incorporate enhancements such as upgraded insulation, refurbished flooring, and modernized plumbing systems.

Challenges of Insuring an Older Home

On the other hand, insuring older homes comes with its own set of challenges. These homes often host aging roofs and could feature outdated wiring. Certain elements of older homes might not even meet current building codes.

Saving on Insurance for Your Older Home

If you own or intend to buy an older home, there are several steps you can take to ascertain affordable home insurance. Consider upgrading plumbing and electrical systems or investing in a new roof. In addition, installing safety and security enhancements like alarms, cameras, and outdoor lighting can significantly reduce your insurance premium.

Getting an Insurance Quote for Your Older Home

If you’re in the process of purchasing an older home and subsequently applying for a mortgage, your lender will require you to secure home insurance. However, it’s your responsibility to choose an insurer that’s well-equipped to understand your needs and offer comprehensive coverage. If you own a home in Altoona, PA, we encourage you to discuss your insurance requirements with us at H. Dean Allison Insurance. 

We look forward to helping you get a no-obligation quote.

Paddleboarding provides a fun and relaxing way to explore the lakes and rivers around Altoona, PA. However, as with any water activity, there are associated risks. This article examines how your home insurance might come into play in case of damage or liability claims arising from paddleboarding.

Personal Property Coverage: Protecting Your Paddleboard

Most home insurance policies feature personal property coverage, which typically covers personal belongings. In this context, your paddleboard would often be classified as personal property. Personal property coverage might reimburse you for the loss if your paddleboard is damaged or lost due to a covered incident. Covered incidents often include fire, wind, hail, smoke, theft, and similar risks. However, coverage wouldn’t typically extend to damage sustained from hitting rocks.

Moreover, whether or not it is wise to file a claim for a lost or damaged paddleboard will depend on your home insurance’s deductible and the value of the paddleboard. Often, it may not make sense to file a claim for just the paddleboard. However, the claim could include the paddleboard if multiple possessions are damaged or lost.

Liability Coverage: Protecting Against Accidents

Liability coverage is another standard feature of most home insurance policies. This coverage protects you against incidents where you might be held accountable for causing injury or damage. Regarding paddleboarding, the risk of causing serious damage to another watercraft or dock is relatively low. Nevertheless, an accident involving another person on the water could happen, potentially leading to hefty legal costs in case of injury or drowning.

The personal liability coverage in your home insurance may cover on-water accidents resulting in injury or drowning. Our H. Dean Allison Insurance team can help you review your policy’s coverage.

Securing Adequate Insurance for Your Belongings

If you’re in the Altoona, PA area and need help securing insurance for a paddleboard or other personal belongings, contact us at H. Dean Allison Insurance. We are ready to help you ensure optimal coverage for your needs.

Speak with your agent at H. Dean Allison Insurance before you start to remodel your Altoona, PA home. The kind of coverage you need and the amount of protection could change depending on the circumstances.

What Kinds Of Home Improvements Change Your Home Value?

When you originally purchased your homeowners’ policy, your agent took the information to help value your property. When you renovate, add on, or upgrade your home, your home may increase in value. It is important to consider what kinds of changes will change the value. Here are some common changes that can add value to your home:

• Your policy will not cover wear and tear, but it will cover damage if a falling tree damages your HVAC system and/or ductwork. This also applies to central air or individual cooling units.
• One common way that people significantly increase the value of their homes is by finishing attics, basements, or garages. This can add value because it increases the amount of living space.
• Hot tubs and swimming pools can add value but also carry their own concerns with potential liability.
• Deck replacements and landscaping can significantly improve your home’s look and usability.
• Outside structures and sheds can add value, as can a new roof.

You May Need Additional Protection If Your Home Is Vacant During Renovations

If renovations are extensive, your home may be vacant for a period of time. Even if the house is not vacant, the activity may make your home a target of vandals and thieves. You may want to consider adding protection in case of those events.

Schedule A Consultation Today

Protect your Altoona, PA home even during home improvements. If you want to discuss options about additional protection, or if you just have questions, please feel free to call H. Dean Allison Insurance today.

As a homeowner, you need adequate insurance coverage to protect your investment and belongings. However, just purchasing a policy once and forgetting about it will not give you the protection you need. Your policy should be updated consistently to reflect any changes to your home and lifestyle.

How often should you update your home insurance policy?

And what changes require an update? If you live in the Altoona, PA area, H. Dean Allison Insurance wants to help you answer these questions and more.

Changes to your home, personal life, and economy can all impact your coverage needs, so it’s best to review your policy annually. This review should include assessing your coverage levels and any necessary updates. For instance, if you’ve added a swimming pool, updated your HVAC system, or made any other home upgrades, it may be time to increase your coverage limits.

Other situations may require a policy update, such as purchasing new expensive items like jewelry, antiques, or electronics. Some homeowners may also qualify for discounts on their policies if they install security systems or make improvements that lessen the likelihood of severe weather-related damage, such as sturdy roofing or hurricane shutters.

Aside from regular reviews and updates, homeowners should also contact their insurance agent whenever other significant life changes occur. These changes could impact the type of coverage you need or the coverage limits required to protect your family and assets fully.

Reach Out To Us

Regular reviews and updates are necessary to ensure that your coverage reflects your evolving needs and that any significant changes in your life are accounted for. H. Dean Allison Insurance is available to answer any question about your home insurance policy, so contact us in the Altoona, PA area today.

Adding a home insurance rider is a great idea if you are looking to increase your coverage. Insurance riders allow you to tailor your coverage to your needs. They also save you money by offering coverage for unexpected emergencies. In fact, they can pay for some of your repairs if your home is damaged. You can also add extra coverage for your personal belongings, such as jewelry and valuable art.

Home insurance riders can cover many items not covered by the standard policy. They also provide you with added peace of mind. For example, if your computer or TV were stolen, you would likely be reimbursed for the loss if you had a personal property coverage rider.

Examples of Home Insurance Riders

Home insurance riders are available for a variety of needs, so make sure you discuss your options with your H. Dean Allison Insurance agent serving the greater Altoona, PA community.

Examples of home insurance riders are:

• water backup coverage
• building code coverage
• scheduled personal property coverage
• sewer line coverage
• landscaping coverage
• renovation project coverage
• and more

Insurance riders are often the best way to ensure your priceless belongings are covered. Many insurance companies require a detailed description of the item before approving the policy. If you have expensive jewelry or musical instruments, you may need to get an appraisal before purchasing a policy.

Contact Us Today

The best way to determine which insurance rider will best fit your needs is to contact your H. Dean Allison Insurance agent in Altoona, PA. They will help you understand your options and determine which home insurance rider is the best fit.

It’s important not to wait until something happens before adding a rider to your home insurance policy. The best time to consider all your rider options is when you first purchase your policy. That way, when the unexpected does occur, you can rest easy knowing that you’re covered.