Category: Home Insurance

Home Insurance’s Contribution to Home Improvement Loans

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Home insurance significantly facilitates access to home improvement loans by providing financial protection, risk mitigation, and assurance to lenders and borrowers around Follansbee, WV. From safeguarding the property’s value to mitigating risks associated with renovations and upgrades, home insurance contributes to the success and viability of home improvement projects, enabling homeowners to enhance their homes’ value, comfort, and safety.

Safeguarding Property Value

Home insurance protects the property’s value against fire, theft, vandalism, and natural disasters. Lenders require homeowners to carry adequate insurance coverage as a condition of approving home improvement loans. By safeguarding the property’s value, home insurance assures lenders and borrowers that their investment is protected and secure, mitigating risks associated with lending and borrowing for home improvement projects.

Mitigating Risks During Renovations

Home insurance mitigates risks associated with home improvement projects by providing coverage for property damage, liability claims, and construction-related incidents. Renovations and upgrades can introduce new risks to the property, such as accidents, injuries, or damage to neighboring properties. This risk mitigation enables homeowners to proceed confidently and lenders to easily extend financing for home improvement projects. 

Assuring Lenders and Borrowers

Home insurance assures lenders and borrowers that their investment is protected and secure, fostering confidence in the viability and success of home improvement projects. Lenders require homeowners to carry adequate insurance coverage to protect their interests and collateral, reducing the risk of financial losses associated with property damage or loss. Borrowers benefit from the assurance that their investment is protected against unforeseen risks, enabling them to proceed with renovations and upgrades with peace of mind and confidence in the long-term value of their home.

How Mutual Insurance Partners Can Help You

At Mutual Insurance Partners, we can help answer questions concerning home insurance. We serve the Follansbee, WV area. Contact us today.

Do You Know if Your Home is Properly Covered by Home Insurance?

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Most homeowners know if their property is covered by home insurance. The real question is if it is covered sufficiently. If you own a home in the Follansbee, WV area, Mutual Insurance Partners can help.

Why You May Have Doubts About Your Home Insurance Coverage

It is not uncommon for property owners to have doubts or to be unsure about their coverage. Many homeowners, for example, have had their properties for years and haven’t looked at their home insurance policy for any given length of time. Inflation can play a role, as can rising or decreasing property values.

You may have made an addition or other improvements to the home. You may even have put in a pool or added a family dog. All of these may serve to make your homeowners’ insurance a bit outdated.

Another factor that can lead to homeowner’s insurance amnesia is paying premiums through escrow. This combines insurance payments with taxes and mortgage payments and is convenient but may distance you from knowing your precise coverage. 

The Best Way to Validate Your Coverage

The best way to know if your house is properly insured is to have an insurance review. Mutual Insurance Partners can help. No matter where you purchased your home insurance, we can review your policy and detail your coverage. You can verify your coverage and your limits. You may discover where your policy may need updates and where adjustments may need to be made.

We Are Here To Help

How much is your home insured for? Are you covered from storms? How about flooding or natural disasters? If you are unsure, reach out to Mutual Insurance Partners for confirmation. We are proud to serve the Follansbee, WV area. Get your review and free quote today.

Why It’s Essential to Have Home Insurance

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Having home insurance is a must if you own a home. Not only is it a smart choice for protecting yourself, but it’s also likely required for you to have it. Mortgage lenders will require you to have home insurance to protect their investment. If you have a homeowner’s association, they will also generally require this coverage. Even if it isn’t a required policy for you, it’s never a good idea to go without this insurance. When you need home insurance, it’s time to call us at Mutual Insurance Partners in Follansbee, WV.

Protect Your Home

When you have home insurance, it covers the home itself against a wide range of risks that could damage it. There are disasters, accidents, and other events that can happen to a home and cause it to be damaged. When this happens, your home insurance can pay for the repairs that will be needed. Without home insurance, the cost of home repairs could be far more than you could afford to pay. Don’t put yourself in this position by trying to go without home insurance. 

Your Possessions

Home insurance doesn’t just cover the dwelling, but it also includes protection for your possessions. You’ve spent a lot on all of the items in your home, and they need to be protected. Home insurance offers coverage for all of your belongings. If they should get damaged in a covered event, you get the benefit of having the policy pay for the replacements. This can save you an enormous amount of money. Replacing everything without this coverage would be impossible for many homeowners. 

Get Home Insurance

If you own a home and need a home insurance policy, we’re here to help. Just give us a call at Mutual Insurance Partners in Follansbee, WV to find out more and get started. 

Projects to Get Your Home Ready for Summer

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Getting your home ready for summer often involves a variety of projects to improve your family’s comfort, energy efficiency, and the use of your outdoor space. For those living in and around the Follansbee, WV area, Mutual Insurance Partners offers these project ideas to get your home ready for summer. 

Getting Your Home Ready for Summer

Wash Windows & Screens

Wash the windows and screens with hot, soapy water. Replace those screens that are ripped or beyond repair. Also, examine the seal around the windows/doors to see if they are sealed tightly, to avoid letting cold air escape.

Perform Air Conditioning Maintenance

The A/C works around the clock in the hot weather. Service your A/C system before the season, as this will ensure it runs efficiently and keeps your family cool.  

Clean the Gutters & Downspouts

Removing the debris from gutters and downspouts is smart as this ensures summer rains can properly drain away from home, preventing potential water damage to your home’s foundation and more.

Test Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Check all smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and house timers have fresh batteries and are in working order.

Check & Improve Insulation

Inspect the insulation (attics, basements, walls, etc.) and add/replace when needed. Proper insulation is essential for a comfortable indoor temperature at a reduced energy usage cost.  

Prep Your Grill for Backyard BBQs

Get your grill ready by cleaning the grates and ventilation areas and checking supplies.

Power Wash Your Driveway & Sidewalks

Pressure washing is the fastest way to remove the dirt and grime that has accumulated since last year.

Keep Your Home Insurance Updated

If you live in the Follansbee, WV area and want additional information on how to protect your home, contact Mutual Insurance Partners today. We are happy to help!

What’s Not Covered by Home Insurance Policies?

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As a homeowner, it’s essential to understand what your home insurance policy covers and what it does not. While home insurance policies from Mutual Insurance Partners in Follansbee, WV, provide coverage for various perils, there are some exclusions to be aware of.

Home Insurance Exclusions

Natural Disasters

Standard home insurance policies usually do not cover natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, or tornadoes. Therefore, if you live in an area prone to these natural disasters, you may need to purchase separate coverage for them.

Maintenance and Wear and Tear

Home insurance policies do not cover maintenance or general wear and tear damages. Therefore, it’s the homeowner’s responsibility to maintain and repair their property to prevent any damages from occurring.

Intentional Damages

Your policy does not cover any damages caused intentionally by the homeowner or any other person in the home. This exclusion includes damages resulting from criminal activities such as theft, vandalism, or arson.

Business Activities

Home insurance policies are meant to cover damages that occur at residential properties. Therefore, any losses that result from business activities, such as injuries sustained by customers or damages to business equipment, are not covered.

Floods

As mentioned earlier, floods are not covered under standard home insurance policies. If you live in an area prone to flooding, purchasing separate flood insurance coverage is advisable. If you’re unsure whether or not you should worry about flooding, we can review the likelihood with you so you can feel comfortable deciding whether or not to purchase it.

Call Our Professional Team!

Understanding what’s not covered by home insurance policies is crucial to ensure that you have adequate protection. At Mutual Insurance Partners in Follansbee, WV, we believe that homeowners should comprehensively understand their insurance coverage. Therefore, we encourage you to review your policy and ask your insurance agent any questions you may have. Then, contact us today to learn more about our home insurance policies and coverage options.

Will homeowners’ insurance cover my she-shed?

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Homeowners insurance has many benefits for homeowners. It covers many things that would be difficult for homeowners to pay for out of pocket. Homeowners insurance even provides liability coverage. Our Follansbee, WV team at Mutual Insurance Partners is committed to helping homeowners understand and explore the benefits of homeowners insurance. 

What is Homeowners Insurance?

Homeowners insurance provides financial coverage for the repair or replacement of your home, personal belongings, as well as any structure on your property. Homeowners insurance also provides liability/legal protection if you’re found responsible for harm or damage to someone else or someone else’s property. In short, homeowners insurance provides financial protection for damage and unexpected situations that occur involving your home.

Your insurance covers every structure on your property, your personal belongings, and damage to your property or home caused by approved natural disasters. Your policy clearly outlines what’s covered and what’s not. If your home is damaged and you must move out for the repairs, your insurance will cover your hotel stay and living expenses.

Will homeowners’ insurance cover my she-shed?

Yes/ Your shep-shed is a structure on your property. As a result, homeowners insurance will cover any damage to your she-shed, fire, burglary, vandalism, or damage related to natural disasters, in addition to the personal belongings inside of your shed. Your homeowner’s insurance also covers personal liability including medical payments for others, loss of use, and more.

However, your homeowner’s policy outlines which natural disasters or perils would be covered by a homeowner’s policy and coverage limits.

Contact Us Today

If you have questions about homeowners insurance and what’s covered, call us at Mutual Insurance Partners in Follansbee, WV. We can help you explore your policy and answer your questions.

How to Get Your Roof Ready for the Winter Months

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At Mutual Insurance Partners, serving the greater Follansbee, WV area, we see a lot of homeowners encounter problems with their roofs in the winter months. While home insurance may cover some types of roof damage, it does not cover roof damage due to neglect or poor roof maintenance. As such, you should always ensure that your roof is properly maintained and cared for.

Here are a few of the ways that you can get your roof ready for the winter months:

Have Your Roof Inspected

One of the best ways to get your roof ready for the winter months is to have it inspected. A roofer can inspect your roof, looking for signs of damage. They can then make the needed repairs before winter storms roll through. 

Remove Debris From Your Roof and Gutters

Another way to prepare your roof for the winter months is to ensure you remove debris from your roofs and gutters. Debris in your gutters can prevent water from flowing off of your roof. Debris on the roof can do the same. This can increase the chances of ice dams forming on your roof. 

Ask About Roof De-Icing Products

Lastly, be sure to ask your preferred roofing company about roof de-icing products. These products can also prevent ice from forming on your roof, which can greatly reduce roof problems during the winter months. 

Get Home Insurance Today

Preparing your roof for the winter months is just one of the ways that you can work to minimize damage to your home. Another thing that you can do to protect your home is to ensure that you have the right home insurance policy for your needs. If you are in the market for a new home insurance policy or you want to review your policy to ensure it still meets your needs, Mutual Insurance Partners, serving the greater, Follansbee WV region, can help. Reach out to us today to get started. 

Who needs to have home insurance in West Virginia?

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Owning real estate in the Follansbee, WV area has continued to be a great way to establish your personal financial equity and have a stable place to live. If you do purchase a home here, you need to ensure that you carefully assess your insurance needs. There are various situations when someone in West Virginia will need to have a proper home insurance plan. 

Home Insurance: Who Needs The Coverage

When Taking Out a Mortgage

A situation when someone will need to have a home insurance plan will come when they want to take out a mortgage. With housing prices at record highs, financing a home purchase with a loan is often an ideal option. If you do decide to take out a mortgage, you will need to meet the lender’s insurance requirements. Typically, this includes requiring you to have a full insurance plan and even establishing escrows for payments each month. 

When Trying to Cover Assets

You also will need to have coverage when you want to protect your assets. Your home is likely the most valuable asset that you will ever own. Because of this, you will want to know that you are doing all that you can to cover your valuable asset. If you get a proper home insurance plan, it will give you coverage for your home as well as your personal belongings. 

Contact Us Today

Property owners in the Follansbee, WV area will always want to know that they are choosing the right insurance plan. Once you are ready to start looking for a new policy in this area, it would be wise for you to call the Mutual Insurance Partners. The team with the Mutual Insurance Partners can offer the right support you need to build your next insurance plan. 

How Many Home Insurance Claims is too Many?

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Although there is no limit on the number of claims that a homeowner can file, you’ll want to be judicious in choosing when and when not to contact your homeowner’s insurance company for a claim. Pro Insurance Group in Follansbee, WV has some suggestions for you to make a decision.

Home Insurance Claims – How to Decide?

If you have a history of filing claims, the insurance company may increase your rates because you are deemed a risky customer. When deciding whether or not to file a home insurance claim, start by comparing the anticipated cost of the repair versus your deductible. If the cost is less than your deductible, it is generally better to pay out of pocket than to file a claim.

An exception to this rule is if you are filing a liability claim – with a liability claim you should always file if there is a chance that you might be sued as the fees associated with a lawsuit can quickly escalate. If you are concerned that your homeowner’s insurance premium may increase, one way to reduce it is to increase your deductible. However, if you increase your deductible you’ll want to choose a number that you can easily afford to pay if a claim needs to be filed as your insurance company will only pick up the tab if the cost exceeds your chosen deductible. 

For more information on when to file an insurance claim or to purchase a homeowners insurance policy, let the team at Pro Insurance Group in Follansbee, WV help. We’ll take the time to answer each of your questions and walk you through the insurance process so that you will feel comfortable in any decision that you make.

Give us a call today to schedule a no-cost consultation with one of our friendly and knowledgeable insurance professionals.

How To Protect Your Home From Fire Risks

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Your home is probably one of your largest and most important investments. Not only have you invested a lot of time and money into your home, but your house is also the place your family comes to feel safe. It is very important that you take the proper steps to protect this important investment.

At Pro Insurance Group, serving Follansbee, WV and surrounding areas, we want to help our clients and future clients understand how they can protect the things that mean the most with great advice and insurance products. Keep reading to learn how you can protect your home from fire risks. 

Deal With Faulty Electrical Issues

Many house fires are the result of faulty wiring. If you notice your home experiencing faulty electrical systems, it is imperative that you have the problem dealt with as soon as possible by a professional electrician. Although this will feel like a big expense at first, remember that you are investing in the safety of your family and home. 

Avoid Clutter

Allowing extreme amounts of clutter to accumulate in your home can also be a fire risk. Clutter near appliances or electrical outlets will provide fuel in the event that a spark ignites or something short circuits. Keep clutter out with good housekeeping routines and frequent de-cluttering. 

Keep Dangerous Materials Out of Reach 

If you have children in your home, it is imperative that you keep all dangerous materials out of reach. This would include matches, lighters, fuel, or anything explosive. 

If you want to learn more ways you can protect your home, or if you are in need of insurance products, please contact us at Pro Insurance Group serving Follansbee, WV and surrounding areas. We will be happy to answer your questions today. 

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