Home inspection

Inspections Matter!

One of the most common issues that come up on carrier inspections is roof condition. I cannot tell you how many times we get an Underwriting notice citing the roof condition and when we reach out to the client, they tell us their home inspection said the roof was just fine. Often, it didn't say the roof was fine. It said replacement was a good idea and the client chose to ignore it. Even if the inspection says the roof is in fine condition, the carrier's inspection may disagree. Now, you can disagree all you want, but the carrier can still cancel the policy if you do not make repairs.

When you have an inspection done before you buy a house, pay attention! I strongly urge you to go to the inspection and walk with the inspector. Listen to him/her. Ask questions as he/she walks. This is going to be your home. Make sure you know what you are getting into. Maybe you are a Do-It-Yourself kind of homeowner and you are fine with needing to do some repairs. But if you are not, then it is a nightmare to buy a house and realize (after the closing) that there is major repair work to be done. There are some things you absolutely want to know about before you buy the house! The carrier doesn't want to insure a hazard they will most likely have to replace in the next few years. And you (as the homeowner) don't want to buy a house that will not protect you the way a home is supposed to.

Exterior of the Home

Roof: Carriers (and hopefully you!) would require the condition of the roof to last at least 5 years. With all of the wind/hail/storms we have here is Texas, roofs rarely last longer than 10 years. If you are looking at a house with a roof over 10 years old, it is a strong possibility the inspector will inspect the roof closely, looking for any indication the roof will not last. 

Windows: Depending on the age of the windows, you may need to replace them. At the very least, they need to be caulked once a year to keep them energy efficient. g 

Tree Trimming: Tree limbs hitting the roof or side of the house will need to be trimmed back away from the house. If they are hitting the home, they will cause additional wear on the roof/siding. 

Interior of the Home

Electrical: Older homes may have quite a bit of electrical work to replace. Many carriers will not insure homes with fuse boxes so you may have to replace it with an updated breaker box. 

Heating/Air: Filters need to be change twice a year. If they have not been, the buildup in the filters will make the system very inefficient, particularly for people with allergies. In some cases, the system will need to be replaced.

Water Heater: Most hot water heaters need to be replaced after 15 years. If your hot water heater breaks down, it is expensive and a royal pain to replace. 

Ventilation / Insulation: Ventilation and Insulation matter most in the attic. If either are in poor condition, you will have increased energy bills and possible increased damage to your roof (from the inside)


Home Inspections will always find issues that can be improved.  Carriers are looking for hazards that are more likely to cause them to pay out a claim in the near future. They do not want to intentionally take on that risk. Since they are the ones that will pay out, thousands, possibly hundreds of thousands, the carrier gets to decide if they want to take on the risk. You, as the homeowner, can disagree. But you will most likely NOT change their mind. So intentionally look at your home inspection before you buy the home. 

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

* Visit our website

* Email us

* Call Brockman Premier Insurance  877-987-8683  

Windows

Does Residential Glass Cover Your Windows?  

Bay Window

Like everything else these days, there are more choices in windows than I could possibly list here.

But here are a few:

Single Sash Window: two panels set vertically. The bottom panel moves up to open the window. The top panel generally stays in one fixed position.
Casement Window: The panel is operable, hanging on a hinge that allows the window to be opened like a door.
Awning Window: It is mounted vertically with a hinge at the top so the panel is pushed out to open. It allows air flow, but keeps out debris such as falling leaves or light rain.
Bay Window: They are not usually operable. They are useful for allowing maximum light into a room as the sun travels from one end of the sky to the other throughout the day.
Palladian Window: This is a large panel, consisting of several small panels with a curved top and usually two smaller side panels.Double Hung Window: Two panels arranged vertically and both the top and the bottom panel move all the way up and all the way down. Most popular type. 

Single Sash

Jalousie Window: This is very American. It consists of thin, staggered strips of glass that open and close at the same time, similar to a Venetian blind. 

The list is much much longer, but I'm getting bored and you are wondering when I will get to something you can use.

Do you need window coverage on your home insurance policy?

That would be useful to know- right?

Most policies will include "Residential glass" coverage for about $10 annually. This generally will cover up to $100 per pane to replace broken glass. The most common claims are a tree falling into your window or maybe a baseball hit into your window. Although I think that is less common these days thanks to shatter resistance glass technology. This will not cover leaking windows, rotting frames, worn old seals or breakage caused by fire, war or nuclear reaction.

How expensive are windows?

Specialty

Generally windows can run from $250 for basic windows to thousands of dollars for Specialty windows. The pricing varies greatly due to the different types of windows (see the partial list above) and the quality of the product and the contractor installing the windows. The more inexpensive windows will not last as long, look as nice or be as soundproof or energy-efficient as some of the more expensive options. This doesn't mean the more expensive the better. Get an experienced, certified contractor and preferably someone referred by a relative or friend you trust. 

Replacing windows can increase the aesthetic value of your home. You also want them to be functional and productive. Know your options before
making repairs. If you have the residential glass coverage, know when you can use it as well as when the coverage will not apply. If you don't have it, ask your agent if it is an option on your home insurance policy. It is a very inexpensive coverage that can save you a good bit of money!

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 

Insurance Reports

Can I Lie About My Driving History?

You can try. Technically it is considered "soft fraud". It won't matter anyway. All carriers run your history reports before (or sometimes after) they write your policy. Most run the reports before they will bind the policy. Your reports largely determine your rates so they can be very significant in your pricing.

Bad history means higher rates    

 or worse. 

 Some carriers will not insure you at all!

Carriers will run two main types of reports for an Auto policy.


The CLUE report provides a 7 year history of claims associated with the driver/car. It will show the date of the loss, the type of loss, the amount paid out and the driver and car associated with the claim. Your agent can send you your CLUE and you can dispute any claims that are on your report in error. 

The Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) provides your driving history, including your drivers license history (including suspension/cancellations), your traffic violations/citations and DUI convictions. The time frame of the MVR varies by state. 

Auto insurance carriers use these reports to decide what the risk is to insuring you.  The greater the risk (bad history), the higher the rates. So a clean driving history will earn you better rates. Most carriers will look back 5 years, but some go back only 3 years. 

Your driving history is very important to your rates (and to job opportunities if they involve driving!) You can lie all you want. We have had people tell us they have not accidents or tickets and then we find out they have both. "Oh I forgot about that" seems to be the common retort.  The reports will show your history, whether you have revealed it yourself or not. 

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