A dog bite is a serious concern for any pet owner, but it can also have potential consequences on your home insurance when an incident occurs. Although your home insurance provider may decide to cancel your coverage if a neighbor is bitten by your dog, the situation also plays a role in the decision to drop your coverage in Green Valley, Arizona.

Reason for the Bite

Although you are liable for the actions of your pet, it is possible that certain situations are not your fault. If your neighbor attacks your dog, then the bite is an act of defense and a court of law will not hold you responsible. Your neighbor has engaged in a criminal offense and you are not responsible for their injuries. The same is true of any action that is related to the defense of an owner, your personal property or the life of another individual.

The reason that your dog bit a neighbor can play a role in the appropriate solution, including the ability to retain your coverage.

Differences Between Providers

Although some insurance providers may refuse to maintain your coverage if your dog bites a neighbor, other insurers are willing to maintain coverage. In some cases, your premium may increase and dog bites may no longer be covered, but the company may be willing to maintain different plans based on your concerns and the reasons that your dog bit another individual.

Dog bites are potentially dangerous, which is the reason that certain breeds can make it hard to find home insurance coverage. Fortunately, different companies have a variety of policies available. To learn more about the options that are available for your needs, contact us to talk to an independent agent today.

A pest infestation is not usually covered on a Green Valley, AZ, home insurance policy. Here’s why: the state of Arizona considers pest infestations to be preventable and to fall under the category of regular home maintenance problems rather than disasters. So, as homeowners, it’s best to keep pests at bay from the very beginning – but expect to pay for pest control services without the assistance of your insurance provider. In some cases, you can obtain a sort of insurance through a pest control company. For termites, some companies offer a termite bond that covers you for termite damage if it occurs in spite of the regular home inspections and treatments you commit to.

Although pest infestation is normally excluded from the events covered by Arizona policies, there can be a grey area when it comes to some of the damage related to an infestation. For example, if a beam collapses and causes the roof of your house to cave in, it’s possible that some of the damage could be covered. If the beam’s wood was compromised by termites but the roof itself wasn’t, then the beam wouldn’t be covered but the roof may be. However, that depends on the details of the policy and how they’re interpreted.

It’s best to tackle the pest problem before it becomes severe, even though this often means doing so independently of your home insurance coverage. And a pest infestation doesn’t necessarily mean termites – birds, raccoons, rats, and bats are among the other pests that could invade your home and should be removed promptly. Red ants, scorpions, and spiders are also potential pests to be on high alert for in Green Valley. Do your best to prevent damage from pests, and ask your independent agent if you need information on your particular policy and its stipulations regarding pest infestation.

Getting a divorce is complicated, particularly when property is involved. When the court gives you the right to live in the house in Green Valley, Arizona, it does not necessarily mean that it is the end of the battle.

Obtain Proof of the Divorce

The only way to remove your ex-wife from the home policy is with the appropriate documentation. If she is the primary policy holder on the house, then proof that you were awarded the house in the court is a necessity.

You will need to document that the divorce is finalized, you own the house and she is no longer making any mortgage payments on the home. If she is still paying on the house, then you may not be able to remove her as the primary policy holder until after the deed and loan is transferred into your name.

When Her Approval is Necessary

It is necessary to obtain your ex-wife’s approval to remove her as the primary holder of the policy if she is still part-owner of the house. Divorce does not necessarily mean that you take over the mortgage automatically. It may take time before the deed and loan is issued in your name.

When Permission is Not Necessary

The situation ultimately determines if you need prior permission to change the coverage plan to your name. If the court awarded the house to you, then you may not need permission to make changes to the policy. You will need to provide proof that the house is yours and that she no longer has a legal claim on the house.

Before you make changes on an insurance policy, contact us to talk to an independent agent about your specific situation and the options that are available for your needs.

If you’re lucky, the only one of the advantages you’ll experience from having a home emergency insurance policy on your Green Valley, Arizona, residence is the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’ve protected your investment. However, you never know if an emergency will occur. If it does, your policy could help you recover from the damages to your house and personal property. An independent agent can help you determine if your regular homeowner’s policy provides enough coverage for your circumstances. Many policies cover some events but not others, so adding supplemental insurance to cover certain emergencies could be recommended for you.

Coverage varies between insurance providers and policies, so it’s necessary to discover one with offerings and supplements that make it a good fit for your home. The coverage that your Green Valley home needs will depend on the risks associated with your type of house and with the specific area it is located in. Even if you’re living in an area at ground level, flood coverage could be a practical addition to your policy. In this case, the advantage is that you’ll be better able to recover from water damage after an emergency.

In general, Arizona property damage coverage is likely to cover you when damages occur because of fire, lightning, windstorms, or hail. However, they most likely won’t cover damages caused by floods or earthquakes, so we’ll help you determine if adding coverage for these emergencies could be to your advantage. Because of Green Valley’s desert climate, it is possible that a range of weather conditions could cause damage to your home. Even if your policy offers some coverage for events such as wildfires, you may want to increase your coverage amounts. Historically, Arizona’s wildfires can also be problematic for homeowners because they may lead to flooding, so having both emergencies covered could come in handy. We hope you never experience a home emergency, but we’re here to help you consider your coverage so you can take advantage of your policy if one does occur.

When a covered loss makes your residence uninhabitable or you are denied access to your home by an order from the government, some insurance companies will pay reasonable increases in your living expenses to uphold your normal standard of living. This coverage is termed ‘Additional Living Expense’ or ‘ALE.’ If your home insurance includes this coverage, this portion of your policy begins at the time of the loss. An independent agent can assist you in finding the best coverage for your home in Green Valley, Arizona.

ALE coverage is limited

However, under most homeowner policies ALE coverage is limited. Typically, there are three ways this limit is defined:

1. Payment only continues for the least amount of time required to replace or repair the damage to your house.
2. Until you permanently relocate.
3. In Arizona, your policy will most likely stipulate a maximum number of 12 consecutive months or the least time it takes for your house to be repaired or re-built or the least amount of time it takes you’re household to settle somewhere else.

On average, the Additional Living Expense portion of a typical home insurance policy in Arizona pays up to 20 percent of your policy limit. Your insurance company usually continues paying these expenses until the time limit is reached, you permanently relocate or your home is repaired, re-built and habitable.

Disaster-related misplacement

If you receive the maximum ALE settlement allowed by your insurance company following a disaster-related temporary housing need and still require assistance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may be able to help you. You need to write a letter to FEMA that indicates why you still need temporary housing. You must also provide them with documentation showing that you already used all of your Additional Living Expense benefits along with a plan for permanent housing.

If you are concerned about being misplaced, you may want to purchase a separate ‘loss-of-use’ policy. Some insurance companies offer a policy with an unlimited amount of expense coverage. However, there is still a time limit on these policies.

As your independent agent, we are happy to help you find the best coverage for your Green Valley, Arizona house. We can give you the details you need to ensure you choose the best coverage possible. Contact us today.

If your Green Valley, Arizona home is damaged from a fire, then it is important to make a claim with an insurance provider as soon as the accident or problem occurs. Even if the home insurance records are lost as a result of burning in the fire, your insurance provider will have a copy of your policy and any other documentation that you provided before the incident occurred.

Call the Company

The first step of recovering from the fire is calling your insurance provider and talking about the situation. Explain that you’ve lost the records and need a copy of your current policy. The company will send you a copy so that you know what is covered and what is not.

If you sent any documents to the company when you are obtaining coverage, then ask for those records at the same time. Your insurer will be able to give you copies of any documentation that you provided in regards to expensive personal belongings that were insured separately.

Give Pictures of Belongings

Even if your records were ruined, you may still have pictures on your smartphone, digital camera or on a social networking website where you’ve posted images. Your belongings might be seen in the background of pictures you took in the house.

Get a copy of any images made so that you can show the company what was in the room. Without clear pictures or records of the belongings, you may be denied for expensive items that were also lost.

Keep Copies in a Separate Location

Ideally, any documentation related to your homeowner’s coverage should also be kept in a safe deposit box at the bank or a similar separate location. By having it kept separately, you will always have a copy available if a fire occurs in the future.

Damage to your home does not mean you have limited options. To learn more about keeping your belongings safe, contact us to talk to an independent agent.