San Diego Home and Auto Insurance Update

You buy home and auto insurance to protect you when and or if an accident happens. And when you have an accident, you want your personal insurance to respond. If it has been a while since you updated your personal insurance coverage, you may want to call us today.

When to Call Your Agent

  • When you buy or sell a car
  • If you started a home-based business
  • If you are thinking about putting in a pool
  • When you purchased any high-end jewelry, guns or other items
  • If your home replacement value has gone up
  • Did you get a company car?
  • If you have remodeled any part of your home
  • When you install a security system in your home
  • If you get married or divorced
  • If your commute distance has changed
  • When your children go away to college

We have found that out of this list, some people may not understand how important it is to connect with us. Here are two areas that may need special attention.

Home Remodeling Projects

You may be looking for ways to improve your home in the near future. Perhaps you want to upgrade your heating system, replace a leaky roof, or add on that sunroom you have always wanted. Before you get started, however, you will want to know how that remodeling project can affect your insurance needs.

Whether you are updating your kitchen or adding on another room, a remodeling project will likely add value to your home. As a result, you will want to check the property coverage limits on your homeowner’s policy to make sure that they reflect any changes you make to your home, no matter how small or large the improvements may be.

If you hire someone to do the remodeling, you will want to make sure that he or she is properly insured. Any contractor that you hire should have a certificate of coverage for both workers’ compensation and contractor’s liability insurance.

Require Your Contractor to Have Insurance

Workers’ compensation coverage protects you from liability claims that can result from a contractor (or his or her employees) getting hurt on the job. The contractor’s liability insurance provides coverage for damage to your property caused by the contractor during remodeling.

If you hire a general contractor who is planning to hand off some of the work to a subcontractor (or if you plan to act as a general contractor yourself), you will also want to get a copy of the subcontractor’s proof of insurance.

Before jumping into a home improvement project, make sure that you are prepared in case an accident occurs. If someone helping you on a remodeling project is hurt, his or her injuries could be covered under the liability portion of your homeowner’s policy. You may also want to look into a personal umbrella liability policy, which provides coverage beyond your regular homeowner’s insurance and is especially important if you have significant assets that you need to protect. It is imported to check with us to make sure you are covered correctly.

Is Your Child Heading Off To College After Graduation?

This time of year, many recent high school graduates are preparing for their next phase of life. Their plans may include heading off to college in another city or state. One of the things that you’ll want to discuss with them before they go back to college is how to keep their car and their belongings safe and protected. Here are some answers to a few of the most common questions that parents of college students often ask us.

Insurance Coverage for College Students

Personal property – Depending on the value, items like clothes and computers should be covered under your homeowner’s policy. However, if your student has an expensive computer, smartphone, tablet, jewelry, or other items, you might not be covered. Most homeowner’s policies have limitations on items valued at over $1,200 (varies by policy). Coverage will depend on your individual policy, so we recommend contacting your independent agent.

Auto – If your student is taking a car to college, make sure your agent knows of the address change. We might save you money, depending on the location. As a full-time student, your child may qualify for a Good Student Discount (if he maintains a grade point average of 3.0 or higher).

Health insurance – Children can remain on your health policy until the age of 26. Many colleges will offer student health insurance at a very reasonable cost.

Personal Liability – This coverage is provided anywhere the student goes, inside the U.S.A. Your student might be covered under your current homeowner’s policy, or even a renter’s policy, if one is in place.

 

Since 1992, Wayne McCormick has provided homeowners insurance coverage at competitive rates for homeowners and renters in San Diego County and Southern California.

Let us help you save even more by combining your home and auto insurance.  We can also help you can save hundreds on your life insurance, umbrella insurance, motorcycle insurance, boat / watercraft insurance, RV / travel trailer insurance, commercial insurance and more. We even offer surety bonds!

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