When you have a mortgage, your lender will require you to have home insurance. They want to protect the building they have an interest in. You may think your home insurance covers you for anything that can happen, but that is not the case. Every home insurance policy has limits and exclusions, and it is up to you to know what these are. At Sump Insurance in Clarinda, IA service is our specialty. We make sure our customers have the insurance they need at prices they can afford.

Earthquakes

Earthquakes can happen unexpectedly and not just in California. But they are not covered on traditional home insurance policies. You are able to purchase insurance to cover earthquakes separately. This lack of coverage extends to other types of land movement such as mudslides and sinkholes.

Floods

Floods are one of the most damaging of natural disasters. If you have a burst pipe in your home, this type of flooding is covered but if the river near you rises and sends water into your home, you are not. The damage from even a small amount of water in your home is overwhelming. FEMA offers flood insurance through the NFIP that you can purchase and if you are in a flood plain, your lender will require you have it.

Termites

If termites invade your home and cause thousands of dollars in damage you are out of luck. As a homeowner, you are responsible for doing the home maintenance required to mitigate this sort of issue. Treatment for pests is your responsibility and if you don’t do it, you will pay to repair the damage.

Sewer backup

What is worse than a sewer backup? Having your home insurance deny the claim. If this is a concern, you can add a rider to your policy.

Contact Sump Insurance in Clarinda, IA to discuss your home insurance needs.

Nothing can be quite as destructive as a house fire. Even if the fire department gets to your home in time to save the structure, the resulting fire and water damage can be immense. The potential for loss of life is also sobering.

So, any measure that can be taken to prevent a house fire ought to be taken. The first thing you need to do is install smoke alarms and change the batteries at least annually. It would be best to have a fire extinguisher ready to put out fires before they get out of control.

It would be best if you kept your stove and oven clean. Do not leave cooking food on your stovetop unattended. Keep nothing flammable near your fireplace. Make sure that a lit fireplace is not left unattended. Be careful when using candles for that romantic dinner with your spouse or significant other. Ensure that power cords for any of your electronics are not chewed or frayed. Replace them immediately if they are.

Ensure that any flammable liquids are properly stored and secured. These include hairspray and shaving cream, along with cleaning products. Air conditioning filters and the lint trap in your dryer should be cleaned regularly. If you use a space heater, make sure that it is located away from anything that can catch fire.

It’s not a good idea to smoke under any circumstances. However, if you must smoke, do so outside. Soak the cigarette butts in water before disposing of them.

For any more questions about house fires and home insurance, contact Sump Insurance, serving Clarinda, IA.