Every year on April 22, Earth Day serves as a reminder that our everyday choices can have an impact on the planet. From reducing waste to improving energy efficiency, many homeowners and renters may look for ways to live more sustainably.
Homeowners insurance is one way you can help protect your residence. Whether you rent or own your property, the right coverage can help you stay financially protected in the event of an unexpected incident such as falling objects.
If you're making environmentally friendly upgrades or preparing your home for a changing climate, Earth Day is a great time to review how your home insurance coverage fits into your long-term plans.
Get Your Home Spring Ready This Earth Day
Spring cleaning, home renovations, landscaping, and gardening are all great ways to celebrate Earth Day this year. Decluttering, reorganizing, and recycling items from your home helps you keep what is useful and necessary while offering unneeded items to others in need. Getting rid of excess clutter may also help reduce fire hazards and improve safety.
If you plan to work around your house this Earth Day, remember that with the change of seasons, it might be necessary to do routine maintenance on your property. Learn about the 12 essential maintenance tasks to help prepare your property for spring.
While you are spring cleaning, updating or creating a home inventory checklist is a great idea. If you ever need to file a claim, having an inventory will make the process easier if something unexpected happens. There are apps that can help you create the inventory. Document your belongings, their condition (picture and video work well), and price. Don't forget your basement, garage, and other storage areas such as sheds.
Home Improvement Projects
As you consider what home improvement projects you'd like to tackle this season, consider eco-friendly improvements.
- Energy-efficient windows and doors
- Improved insulation
- High-efficiency HVAC systems
- Solar panels or battery storage
- Water-saving fixtures
Do you plan on hiring a contractor for a home improvement project or seasonal maintenance like lawncare?
Before hiring, check out what to look for when hiring a contractor. Other earth-friendly projects can include gardening, composting, rain barrels, and native landscaping. These may have a positive effect on the environment. Keep in mind some projects may require special permits. Check with your HOA, building codes, or local law before beginning.
Projects like these can impact your liability and property coverage. For example:
- Decks, fences, and sheds may need to be properly insured under your dwelling or other structure coverage.
- Water-features, raised garden beds, or backyard equipment could increase liability exposure if someone is injured.
- Proper maintenance can help prevent losses caused by falling branches, drainage issues, or soil erosion.
Making sure your policy reflects your outdoor space can help protect both your property and your finances. Discuss your policy with your insurance agent to see how these changes may shift your coverage needs. The licensed insurance agents at InsureOnline.com are available to discuss home insurance needs. We can comparison shop from homeowners, condominiums, rental properties, commercial properties, mobile home and more! Complete our quick online form or call us at (844) 358-5605 to get started.
Sustainable Building Materials and Replacement Coverage
Energy-efficient systems, solar panels, smart home technology, and sustainable building materials are becoming more common and may impact your coverage. Consider that eco-friendly building materials such as bamboo flooring, reclaimed wood, and recycled insulation are becoming popular. These materials can be better for the environment. However, they may also be more expensive or harder to find after a covered loss.
Some homeowners policies offer green replacement endorsements, which helps pay to rebuild or repair your home using environmentally friendly materials after a claim. Without this added protection, a standard policy may only cover conventional materials, even if your home was originally built or renovated with sustainable alternatives.
If you've upgraded your home or plan to do so, it's important to make sure your policy reflects your home's current value and features. Improvements can increase replacement costs, and underinsuring your home could leave you paying more out of pocket after a loss.
It's important that you regularly review your policy to ensure it still meets your needs. Take this Earth Day as an opportunity to review your policy and contact your insurance agent today to ask questions, discuss your policy, and make any adjustments.
"Green" Discounts and Benefits with Homeowners Insurance
Many carriers now offer green or eco-friendly discounts for homeowners who take steps to reduce their environmental impact. These incentives can vary by company, but may include:
- Discounts for energy-efficient homes
- Savings for LEED-certified construction or renovations
- Credits for installing solar panels or other renewable energy systems
- Reduced premiums for homes with smart technology that helps prevent losses, such as leak detection or fire monitoring systems
The licensed insurance agents at InsureOnline.com are happy to talk through your home insurance coverage options with you.
They will work to get you every discount for which you qualify and help you determine the appropriate amount of coverage and coverage types for your living situation. Complete our quick online form or call us at (844) 358-5605 to get started.
Preparing for Natural Disasters and Climate Change
Earth Day is a good reminder that environmental changes can increase the risk of certain natural disasters. Flooding, wildfires, windstorms, and severe weather events are all risk factors. With climate change over the last decades, it's important that you stay protected for the weather events that are likely to impact your area.
Homeowners insurance does and does not cover certain types of weather events. Additional coverages may be necessary. The following generally apply to homeowners insurance:
- Flood damage is not covered by standard homeowners insurance and typically requires a separate flood insurance policy.
- Earthquake coverage is usually excluded and may need to be added separately, depending on your location.
- Wind, hail, and fire damage are commonly covered, but deductibles and limits can vary.
Reviewing these risks annually, especially if you've experienced changes in weather patterns or live in a high-risk area, can help you avoid gaps in coverage.
The licensed insurance agents at InsureOnline.com understand the laws and what's required throughout the states. Give us a call at (844) 358-5605 or complete our online form to get the conversation started.
Earth Day is about protecting what matters and your home is a big part of that. Sustainable living and wise insurance planning go hand in hand, helping you care for the environment while safeguarding your financial future.
Whether you're making green upgrades, preparing for natural disasters, or simply reviewing your coverage, talking with a licensed insurance agent can help ensure your homeowners policy supports your goals for years to come.
About InsureOnline.com
InsureOnline.com is a digital insurance agency that provides affordable insurance to consumers who want to shop and purchase insurance online while still having the option to work with an agent if they wish. The agency offers auto, home, life, health, and commercial as well as other specialty lines of insurance. Our goal is to provide an easy, fast, convenient, and safe online shopping experience for consumers looking for the best price by utilizing all the latest and greatest technology. Based in Bedford Park, Illinois, we are licensed to write business in many states and have a multilingual staff licensed and certified in a variety of insurance lines. We partner with many highly rated insurance companies to help provide the best insurance solutions to meet your individual needs and your budget. Buy insurance online or talk to a licensed insurance agent! It's your choice.
For information and quotes on insurance coverage, please visit InsureOnline.com or call (844) 358-5605.
The general and educational information here supports the sales, marketing, or service of insurance policies. Individuals should seek advice from their own qualified and duly licensed independent tax or legal advisors based upon their own particular circumstances.