Pride of Ownership

Looks Do Matter!  

Before                                                 After

What? Why?

If you have ever sold a home, I bet you have heard the term Curb appeal. As the prospective buyers drive up, you want them to see your house in the best possible light. There is even an industry position for Staging the interior of homes as well. Looks do matter when selling your home. As part of the inspection process, most carriers will ask the inspectors to state if the home shows Pride of Ownership. 
What are they talking about? And why does it matter if I already bought the home? 
Why do carriers care what my house looks like?

What is Pride of Ownership?

Pride of Ownership refers to how well your home is maintained. Is the yard kept neat? Is the paint peeling? Are the windows cracked or foggy? Do your trees hit your roof or the side of your house? Is your fence in need of repair? Is your pool clean and filled? These things point to you as a responsible homeowner (or not!). You don't have to have magazine type style to keep a neat and well cared for home  and yard. I'd be in serious trouble if that was the case! 

Why is Pride of Ownership important to my insurance carrier?

When you are house hunting, are you naturally drawn to homes that look good and are maintained well? Of course! Unless you are looking to do a great deal of work, you want a house that is built well and kept well. Why? Because you know it will last longer.  Carriers want to know the same thing. They don't want to take on a risk that is likely to have a claim sooner rather than later. Most claims are sudden and accidental, but if the home is not maintained, the risk of claims is higher. And if the owner shows very little pride in how the home looks, what kind of pride will he/she take in how the home is maintained? A poorly maintained home is generally a riskier home to insure because it isn't well taken care of. 

So Looks do matter?

Yes! But little things can make a difference. Trim over grown trees and bushes, especially if they are touching the roof or sides of the home. Replace big hard to control plants with easier to maintain box plants. Paint. Sometimes a touch up will do, but other times you will need to repaint the entire set of stairs, or window panes or whatever it is that is scratched and peeling. It may not take much at all to make your home look good, even if you bought it a little Rough!

There are three ways to request a quote for your insurance needs: 

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Homeownership

Millennials's View of Homeownersip Plummets

Millennials aren’t seeing as much value in buying a home as they once did, according to new data.

Millennials’ perception of the value of buying a home has dropped below 50%, according to a new survey from ValueInsured. According to the company’s quarterly Modern Homebuyer Survey, just 48% of millennials believe buying a home in America today is a good investment. That’s a record low, and a significant drop from 54% in the second quarter. 

Two years ago, 77% of millennials believed buying a home now was a good investment...

Read the full article from MPA...

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Underinsurance

Americans are still Under-Insured

Many U.S. homeowners are inadequately insured for natural-catastrophe damage ahead of the height of the Atlantic hurricane season.

Three major landfalling hurricanes in 2017—Harvey, Irma and Maria—revealed a widespread lack of full insurance coverage for homeowners in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and elsewhere. Those storms served as a wake-up call to some, but the underinsurance of Americans persists, according to regulators, trade groups and government data...

Click to read the full article from realtor.com

Need a quote?

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Home additions

Additions Need Additional Insurance

Are you thinking of adding onto your home? Or upgrading/ remodeling what you already have? Talk to your insurance agent first and see if you need additional coverage.

Remodeling

If you are doing a minor remodel including paint, cabinet and new appliances or a mid-grade remodel, adding new flooring, lights, furniture also, you shouldn't need to increase your coverage. But if you are doing a high end remodel that includes floor plan changes, window installments, granite counter tops, among the other changes listed, you will need reevaluate the dwelling value for your home. The difference between the value of a "Builders Grade" bathroom (a very basic bathroom) and a "Designer" bathroom is over $21,000. The difference in value of a "Builders Grade" and a "Designer" kitchen is almost $150,000. You want to make sure you have enough coverage to rebuild your home to its current standard. 

Building Additions

If you are building an addition to your home, such as another bedroom or a sun room, you will need to a Builders Risk policy while building the addition. If you hire a contractor, this should be included in their General Liability coverage. (Get verification!) The value of the addition needs to be added to your home insurance policy from the start. Take into consideration there will be additional square footage as well as fixturing, plumbing and electrical work that will add value. Consider how much coverage you have for your personal property for the additional furniture also. You should be able to increase the coverage amount if you need to. 

Building Other Structures

If you are building a Detached garage or a swimming pool, these would be covered under "Other Structures". This is usually a predetermined percentage of the Dwelling amount, usually 1-% - 20%. Some policies will let you increase/decrease this coverage. The average cost to build/replace a basic detached garage is between $9,000 and $12,000. The average cost to build a pool is $22,000. Of course these costs will increase with higher end materials and more square footage.


With all projects, take before and after pictures and keep your receipts. If you hire a contractor, ask for verification of their General Liability insurance up front and keep a copy of the signed contract and invoices. If you have friends/family help you with the project, make sure your home insurance policy has enough guest medical and liability coverage for any possible injuries. Take a look at your insurance coverage as you make your plans. There may be an additional cost associated with increasing the coverage and you want to include this in your budget. Please don't wait until your renewal to talk to your agent about your coverage. Weather and fire will not wait for your renewal, so please make sure you are covered correctly from the start!

There are three ways to request a quote for your insurance needs: 

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Roofs

What's on top of the house?

Why is your roof important?  Why does it matter what type of roof you have? How long should they last? 

Roofs! Who would think there would be so much to know? 

Let's start with the basics.

Common Roof Shapes

Gable: This is the most common, least expensive and easily built. It is recognized by it's Triangular shape. It is efficient for water/snow run off. The downside is they are prone to more damage during high wind storms. There are several styles of Gable roofs; Side, Crossed, Front and Dutch Gable.
Hip: This is very common also.  It is recognized by the slopes on all four sides of equal length that meet at the top like a slope. Hip is more stable than Gable and are also efficient for water/snow run off. The downside is they are more expensive and are prone to leaks if they are not built correctly. There are several styles of hip roof; Simple, Crossed and, Half Hipped.
Flat: Flat roofs have a very slight pitch for water run-off. They are generally used in industrial and commercial buildings, but they can be used in residential building also. (Although some carriers will not insure a flat roof.) They offer additional living space on the roof for patios or gardens also. 

Common Roof Types

Asphalt/Composite Shingle: These are the most common type of roof. Usually made of fiberglass and asphalt, they have a shorter lifespan than other choices. They claim to last up to 30 years, but in Texas, few composite roofs will last longer than 10 years without incurring significant weather damage.
Clay Tile: This is considered to be the most durable of roofing materials. There are many colors and shapes, giving the homeowner more options on the look of their roof. It stands up well to mold and rot and hurricane winds. The main disadvantages are the cost and the weight of the tiles. You may need to install additional support beams if you are adding a tile roof. But the length of life for tile roofs can offset that cost.
Metal Roof: This is another durable option for roofing. You can get up to 50 years of life, with very little maintenance. Now you can also get metal roofing that looks like shingle or clay tiles. They can be painted also, giving you many choices for the look of your roof. the main disadvantage is the upfront cost, but you would make it up in the lack of maintenance costs. 

There is much more to roofs than I have listed, but the basics are enough for now. Your roof age, shape and type make a difference in the cost of your insurance. Carriers can decide to not insure you because of your roof age, type, shape and/or condition. Why? Because it can cost anywhere from $7,000 to $30,000 to replace a residential roof, depending on the size, shape and materials. You have insurance so you do not have to pay that full amount. But the carrier does (minus your deductible), so they will inspect and discern if your roof is a risk they are willing to take on. 

"We had a pre-sale inspection and they said the roof was fine so your carrier is wrong." (We hear this often from upset clients.) A pre-sale inspection stating the roof is fine does not override a carrier's decision not to insure the roof. They will send their own inspector out to look at the house, including the roof.  Keep in mind, the carrier is the one who will pay out the cost to replace the roof, not you. They do have every right to decide if a roof is or is not in insurable condition. You can get upset, but it won't change their decision. Also keep in mind different carriers evaluate the condition of a home differently. One carrier may reject a roof while a different carrier will insure the same roof. 
(So don't get too upset- there is a fix!)

Texas has some of the most volatile weather in the US. We have hail, hurricanes and tornadoes, often multiple times per year. Hurricane Harvey paid out 670,000 claims last year to the amount of $4.5 billion. A large part of that payout was flooding, but another large part was for roof claims for wind damage. Then there was Hurricane Irma in Florida. Why would that affect Texas rates? Because many carriers write in multiple states. So if there are $10 billion paid out in claims, as there was for Irma, it will affect entire company, not just Texas branches. Over $5 billion was paid out in hail claims last year in Texas. Those high amounts in claims have carriers scrutinizing roofs even more closely this year. They simply are not going to pay to repair or replace a damaged roof unless the damage happened on their watch. Plus material costs are rising each year. If the materials cost more, the cost to replace/repair will cost more and insurance pricing will increase. This is the nature of the business. This is another reason why it is a great idea to go through an independent agency. If your pricing goes up, independent agents can re-shop your rates. 
Your roof can make a big difference in your rates, so take care when you look at when and how you replace or repair. Always use a licensed roofer. It is a good idea to get referrals from people you trust. Get multiple estimates and choose who you are comfortable with!

There are three ways to request a quote for your insurance needs: 

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Types of Home Insurance

Isn't Home Insurance All the Same?

Insurance can be confusing. Most of us know there are different types of coverage, but do you know there are different types of home insurance policies? I know I had no idea there were difference types of home insurance before we got into the insurance business. Home insurance should be home insurance. Why are there different types of policies? 

We can explain that!

Let’s look at the different types of policies.

HOA or Named Perils Policy

This is the most basic of home insurance policies. All coverage on this policy will be Actual Cash Value (ACV) only. This means the value of the damaged property will be paid out at the depreciated amount, based on the item’s age and the condition at the time of the claimed loss. So, for example, if your 5 year old TV is stolen, the Insurance carrier will only pay out what it would cost to buy that 5 year old TV. Most people don’t want to buy a 5 year old TV. HOA policies only cover specific hazards (specifically named perils) which generally include the following:

1. Fire or Lightning 

2. Wind/Hail (unless you are in certain counties where carriers will not cover wind/hail) 

3. Sudden and Accidental smoke damage (from a covered fire) 

4. Explosion 

5. Aircraft and Vehicles (unless caused by the insured or a resident of the home) 

6. Vandalism/Malicious Mischief 

7. Riot or Civil commotion 

8. Theft (on premises) 

These may vary between carriers, but they will be listed specifically on the policy. 

HOA+ or Broad Perils Policy

These policies are HOA policies with additional common perils:
1. Falling Objects, including trees or limbs.
2. Weight of ice and snow
3. Sudden and Accidental water discharge
4. Sudden and Accidental water/steam damage from water heating system

HO3 or Open Perils Policy

This is the most commonly used Home insurance policy in the US. It covers your dwelling (home building) on an open perils basis, meaning it covers all perils unless specifically excluded. Common exclusions include:

1.  War
2. Nuclear
3. Wear, tear, rust, mold
4. Intentional acts
5. Government actions

HO3 policies also include Replacement Cost coverage for your home. Replacement cost for your contents is sometimes included, depending on the carrier.  It can be endorsed onto the policy if the basic HO3 doesn’t include it. So if your 5 year old TV is stolen, if you have Replacement Cost on your contents, the TV will be valued at the cost of a new TV today.

HOB or Texas Open Peril Policy

This is very similar to the HO3 (the National form) but it includes additional water damage protection which must be endorsed onto the HO3. Most carriers will use the HO3 form, but the HOB is great coverage.

Home insurance policies will NOT cover Flood or Earth quake. They are a separate type of policy with different coverage options. If you live on the Gulf coast, chances are Wind/Hail coverage will not be included and you may have to go through the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) for a separate Windstorm policy.

Please speak to your agent about which policy form is best for your circumstances. That is what you have an agent for! If your agent won’t answer your questions, please give Brockman Premier a try!

There are three ways to request a quote for your insurance needs: 

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* Call Brockman Premier Insurance at 877-987-8683  

Tree Issues

Your Trees vs

Your Foundation

Foundation damage can be very costly and Home insurance policies do NOT cover foundation damage as a general rule. 

We had foundation issues at our home several years ago. We noticed a crack by a window on one side of the house and a crack in the floor tiles in our front hallway. We had 2 companies come out for quotes. One company wanted $12,000 to put in piers. The other company came out and the rep told us he would love to take our money, but he really thought the issue was our trees. We called a tree expert and he removed 5 trees from around our house and we now have a soaker hose that goes around the foundation. It has made a huge difference in the condition of our foundation. But we did have to have the pipes reconstructed in the front of our house where the biggest tree had been removed. As the root system died off, the soil shifted and the pipes were no longer held in place by the same support. As they moved, they cracked. They had to be dug up and rebuilt to the tune of $3000. That is not covered by home insurance. Where your trees are is a big factor in the damage they can cause and the damage removing them can cause. 

We have learned a few things about how trees can affect your foundation.

Trees can cause problems for your foundations in three ways:

Physical Contact:

When there is physical contact between a tree and a foundation, damage can occur, depending on the type of tree, the site conditions, proximity to the foundation, the type of foundation, how the tree is contacting the foundation, and the tree’s size.  The tree species is important because a larger, older, longer-lived, shade tree is most likely a bigger issue than a smaller, younger, shorter-lived tree or shrub. This is due in part to the extent of the root system involved with shade trees.  Most trees have root systems contained within the top 4 to 5 feet of soil, with the absorbing roots in the top 12 inches.  The roots can extend outward beyond three times the height of the tree.  So a tree with a height of 50 feet, could have roots that grow outward 150 feet from the trunk. If your tree has limbs near your house, you are likely to have roots growing under or along your foundation.  If you do not water around the foundation, research shows that roots will have a tendency to congregate and develop more rapidly under the foundation simply because of the increased amount of available moisture underneath. The roots will find water wherever they can.

The type of foundation is important because, as a general rule, a pier-and-beam foundation can tolerate nearby trees better than a slab.  Roots running below a foundation can force upward pressure as the contacting portion expands in diameter.  The roots or trunk can also exert an inward pressure if they contact the outer perimeter of the foundation as they expand in diameter.  A pier-and-beam foundation gains its support from piers rather than just concrete on top of soil, they can sustain some minor pressure from nearby trees.  If a large shade tree is 5 feet from a foundation, physical contact and pressure forced against the foundation is likely.  If the tree is 15 feet away, physical contact is likely and pressure  against the foundation is possible. the further the tree is from the foundation, the less likely the roots will cause damage. If you are moving/planting trees, call a tree expert and get some advice on placement.

Moisture Content:

Trees can affect the moisture content of soil under and around foundations.  A large shade tree can release as much as 200 gallons of water per day into the air in the form of vapor (called Transpiration) .  The water for transpiration must come from the soil by way of the roots.  Trees can “pull” water from under a foundation, but only do so when water in the surrounding soil is inadequate or unavailable.  Since water naturally moves through the soil from high moisture areas to low moisture areas, not watering at all can cause foundation problems regardless of nearby trees.  Trees can add to the problem, but are usually not the primary cause of moisture loss from soil.

Air gaps and shifting soil due to dying root systems:

When trees die (or are removed), the roots remain. Even if the tree is removed, the roots usually are not. If they are under or near a foundation, these remaining roots can create problems.  As the roots begin to rot and decay, air spaces and gaps occur in the soil  the roots once were.  Soil often shifts to fill the void.  Traditionally foundation professionals have recommend removal of a larger shade tree that is close to the house.  Today, research shows it isn't always best to remove the tree. 



Be sure to call a tree removal expert and listen to their advice before making the decision to plant, move or remove trees. Ask them for the pros and cons. 
Do it smart from the start!

There are three ways to request a quote for your insurance needs: 

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Frozen Pipes

Protect those pipes!  

Winter brings hazards that need to be taken seriously. When the weather is freezing and there is ice and snow, we know to drive slower (I hope!) We know to walk more carefully outside. But what about inside our homes? What harm can come to our safe, warm home from the ice outside? One of the biggest risks in Winter is Frozen Pipes.

Generally, damage from pipes bursting is covered under your home insurance policy as "sudden and accidental" water damage. But water claims are usually expensive which doesn't look good on insurance history (meaning higher rates in your future). Here are some tips to avoid those water claims:

PREVENT FROZEN PIPES

 The first thing you should do is protect the pipes exposed outdoors. 

Water in pipes can freeze. The water will expand in the pipes as it freezes, which can cause pipes to burst. This can cause untold damaged to your home and belongings.  You can buy insulation at your neighborhood hardware store. You can also take old socks, sweatshirts or towels and wrap and tape them over the pipes. Remove the hose before insulating the faucet. You may also want to insulate indoor piping that is in an unheated area, such as the attic or any crawl space. This is especially true for homes in areas with harsh winters. Moving water is less likely to freeze, so drip your faucets on freezing nights. You don't need to run the water, a slow drip will work just fine.   

IF PIPES ARE FROZEN

   If you turn on your faucet and no water comes out, chances are your pipes are already frozen. You want to thaw them as soon as possible. The longer they stay frozen, the more likely they are to burst. You should always assume the pipe may already have a tear and shut off your water at the main water valve. It is often in or near the garage. But walk your property and make sure know where it is and what tool you need to turn it off quickly. There are steps you can take to thaw the pipes yourself. But if you are not comfortable with your handyman abilities, call a plumber. 

THAW FROZEN PIPES

   If you want to try to find and fix the frozen section yourself, start with the closest exposed pipe to the faucet(s) and wrap it with rags or towels. Pour a little hot water over it until the water flows again. Do not EVER use a hair dryer or electric heater near frozen pipes. As the water thaws, it becomes a fire and/or electric shock danger if the water sprays as it thaws.
If your home does incur water damage, call your Insurance agent. They will have contacts to clean up water damage. 

There are three ways to request a quote for your insurance needs: 

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Insuring Jewelry

SHOULD I INSURE MY JEWELRY?

   Did you get a shiny, new bauble for Christmas? Or are you a January baby, with a new Garnet gemstone ring or necklace? Should you worry about insuring your new item?

   Most basic Homeowners policies will cover up to $1500 in jewelry. I don't know about you, but that would cover most of my jewelry. But that is the total amount for the policy, not what can be paid out for each piece. 

Scheduled Jewelry

In my case, I have my wedding rings "scheduled" separately on my Homeowners policy. This means if my covered rings are lost or stolen, I will receive compensation for the Appraised  amount, without diminishing the amount of my basic jewelry coverage. 
   This is the entire reason to have insurance in the first place. It is meant to "make you whole" again in the event of a loss. Your jewelry counts as a loss. But you need to make sure you have the right coverage. Check your Home policy. If you have just the basic coverage, again- it will cover up to $1500 on most policies. Some have what is called a Blanket endorsement, sometimes up to $50,000 for special valuables. But even these will only pay out up to $10,000 for one item. This may be adequate for many people. But is it adequate for you?
   Talk with your Insurance Agent (that is what they are there for!) about the possibility of Scheduling certain valuables on your Homeowners policy. It will involve providing a Certified Appraisal for covered items, including pictures and paying extra premium. The extra premium isn't too much depending on the amount you are scheduling out. But know your choices so you can make an INFORMED decision! 

There are three ways to request a quote for your insurance needs: 

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Winterizing To Do List

Winterizing your home

IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE WINTER

We haven’t seen much in the way of snow or ice around my house this winter. Most people believe ice and snow are the ultimate hazards of winter. They can be very dangerous, but there are many other dangers to you and your home during cold weather.  Frozen pipes can happen overnight.  An unused/unclean fire place can quickly turn into a damaging fire.  And don’t forget about your car. Liquids freeze, even in your car.

There are precautions you can take that can save you money and pain (physical and mental!)

·         Winterize your home

o   Install weather stripping.

o   Cover outside faucets and pipes.

o   Inspect and clean your fireplace- before you use it.

o   Test smoke detector batteries. (This should be done monthly regardless of the weather)

o   Keep kitty litter for icy porches and sidewalks. Let’s avoid slips and falls on the ice!

·         Winterize your car

o   Keep the gas tank full. This will help avoid ice building up in the tank and fuel lines

o   Make sure your car is in good working condition. You don’t want to get stranded in the cold.

·         Other precautions

o   Keep an emergency kit for your home. Include a weather radio, flashlight, batteries, snacks…

o   Keep your phone fully charged when you leave the house. You want to be able to make an emergency call if necessary.

o   Take a friend when participating in any outdoor activities in the snow. If you get stranded or hurt, someone is there to help. 

There are three ways to request a quote for your insurance needs: 

* Visit our website

* Email us 

* Call Brockman Premier Insurance at 877-987-8683