Home Insurance: Protecting Your Home with The Hartwell Corporation

Your home is more than just a house—it’s where life happens, from cozy movie nights to backyard barbecues. But what happens when a storm rips through, a pipe bursts, or a cyber crook tries to ruin your day? That’s where homeowners insurance comes into play, and at Hartwell Corporation, the state’s largest independent insurance agency, we’re here to here to help you find a policy that’s as unique as you are. Dive in below to learn more about what homeowners insurance covers, some must-know optional add-ons, why trusts need special attention, and how we can help craft the perfect plan for you!

What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover?

Homeowners insurance provides financial protection against unexpected events that damage your home or personal belongings. A standard policy typically includes:

• Dwelling Coverage: Protects the structure of your home, including walls, roof, and built-in appliances, against perils like fire, windstorms, hail, lightning, and vandalism.

• Other Structures: Covers detached structures like garages, sheds, or fences for similar perils.

• Personal Property: Reimburses you for damaged or stolen personal items, such as furniture, electronics, and clothing, whether at home or away (subject to limits for high-value items like jewelry).

• Loss of Use: Pays for additional living expenses, like hotel costs, if your home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered event.

• Liability Protection: Covers legal and medical costs if someone is injured on your property or if you accidentally damage someone else’s property.

• Medical Payments: Covers minor medical expenses for guests injured on your property, regardless of fault.

While these core coverages provide a solid foundation, every home and homeowner is unique, which is why optional coverages are worth considering.

Optional Coverages to Enhance Your Policy

Standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover every scenario, but you can add optional endorsements to address specific risks. Here are a few to consider:

• Sewer Backup: Water damage from a backed-up sewer or sump pump isn’t typically covered by standard policies. This endorsement protects against costly repairs and cleanup if a sewer line or sump pump fails, which can be a lifesaver in areas prone to heavy rain or aging infrastructure.

• Flood Insurance: Standard policies exclude flood damage, whether from rivers, storms, or flash floods. Flood insurance, often purchased through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private insurers, is critical if you live in a flood-prone area. Even homes in low-risk zones can face unexpected flooding, so it’s worth evaluating your risk.

• Earthquake Insurance: Earthquakes are excluded from standard policies, but if you live in a seismically active region, this coverage can protect your home and belongings from quake-related damage. It often includes a higher deductible, so discuss affordability with your agent.

• Cyber Coverage: As cyber threats grow, cyber insurance for homeowners is gaining popularity. This coverage can protect against losses from identity theft, online fraud, or ransomware attacks, covering costs like legal fees, credit monitoring, and data recovery.

  
  

  These optional coverages allow you to customize your policy to match your home’s unique risks and your personal concerns.

The Importance of Listing a Trust on Your Policy

If your home is held in a trust—often used for estate planning or asset protection—it’s critical to ensure the trust is properly listed on your homeowners insurance policy. Failing to do so can lead to complications or denied claims. Here’s why it matters:

• Ownership Clarity: Insurance policies are issued based on the legal owner of the property. If the trust owns the home, it should be named as the insured or an additional insured to ensure coverage applies correctly.

• Liability Protection: Trusts can shield personal assets, but liability coverage must align with the trust’s ownership to protect against lawsuits or claims.

• Claim Processing: If a claim arises, insurers may delay or deny payment if the policy doesn’t reflect the trust’s ownership, as the named insured must match the property owner.

Work with your insurance agent and estate attorney to confirm the trust is properly listed, whether as the primary insured, an additional insured, or a named entity. This small step can prevent major headaches down the road.

How Hartwell Corporation Can Help

At Hartwell Corporation, we understand that every homeowner’s needs are unique. As the state’s largest independent insurance agency, we partner with top insurers to offer comprehensive homeowners insurance solutions tailored to your specific risks, lifestyle, and budget. Whether you need basic coverage, specialized endorsements like flood or cyber insurance, or guidance on insuring a trust, our team is here to help.

We take the time to assess your needs, discuss your concerns, and craft a policy that provides peace of mind without breaking the bank. Our independence means we work for you, not the insurance companies, ensuring you get the best coverage at competitive rates.

Ready to protect your home? Contact Hartwell Corporation today to discuss your homeowners insurance needs. Let us build a personalized insurance package that fits your life perfectly.