Homeowners insurance coverage isn’t difficult to figure out if you ask the right questions, especially for home owners in Las Vegas. We hear it on the news, read it in the paper: Home values are dropping. According to Zillow®, home values nationally are now down 21 percent from their peak in the second quarter of 2006.
What’s a homeowner to do?
Although it may seem to follow that lower home values might go hand in hand with less homeowners coverage, that’s not true. Why? Well, guess what’s not going down: the cost of rebuilding and repairing houses.
Many of us are looking to reduce expenses, but before you cut back on your homeowners coverage, consider why you have homeowners insurance.
Insurance pays for your covered loss
If your home is damaged or destroyed by certain unexpected, accidental events, such as a fire, a lightning strike, or a windstorm, or the like, more than likely you will want to repair or rebuild your home. Most people can’t afford to rebuild their home on their own without financial help. Your homeowners insurance policy is there to help by paying you for covered damage so you have the money for repairs.
Whether your policy provides coverage on a replacement cost or actual cash value basis is of critical importance. Although there is some variation depending on individual state law and specific policy terms, in general:
Replacement cost is the amount it would take to repair or replace your home with equivalent construction and with materials of like kind and quality — without deducting for depreciation (the difference between what your property was worth “new” versus “used”).
Actual cash value is the amount it would take to repair or replace your home with materials of like kind and quality — less depreciation. For example, in determining the actual cash value of a roof replacement the insurance company would deduct depreciation for the age of a 17-year-old roof with a 20-year life expectancy.
Market value vs. reconstruction cost
Reconstruction cost is not the same as the market value, assessed value, what you paid for your home or even the amount your home would bring if you sold it today. It’s what it would cost to rebuild your home after a loss. While home values have decreased, reconstruction costs have not. It is important that you consider what it would cost to rebuild your home, considering the specific characteristics of your home.
So, if you’re considering reducing your homeowners coverage, check with me first. As your professional Farmers agent, I’ll be glad to provide a free Farmers Friendly Review® that may help you decide whether your policy provides the coverages you want, and give you the opportunity to make adjustments. There are other ways I may be able to help you save money. You could increase your deductible or you may qualify for multiple-line discounts. Contact me today to learn more about your coverage options. However, while I can give you guidance as to coverage options which may be available to insure your property, it is your responsibility to make sure you have purchased coverage amounts sufficient to rebuild your home and replace other property.