Modifying Your Home Insurance Coverage for Temporary Needs

Unique circumstances may require you to modify your home insurance coverage temporarily. Below, we will review some scenarios where temporary insurance coverage may be acquired.

Home Renovations

Home renovation projects might increase the risk of damage to your property. Procuring more liability coverage will safeguard you against property damages and injuries.

This type of protection extends throughout the renovation process. It encompasses the land, construction materials, tools, and equipment used for residential renovations.

Vacant Home Coverage

A vacant dwelling could incur damages that require rebuilding. If your home will be unoccupied for a considerable length of time, vacant home coverage can safeguard your investment.

This type of coverage protects against break-ins, weather-induced incidents, and unexpected issues like burst pipes and electrical fires.

Storage of Goods

If you own a boat or a piece of equipment that will temporarily be stored on your property, an upgrade of your insurance policy might be necessary.

Additional coverage could be necessary for the temporary storage of goods. This type of coverage provides protection against criminal activities and natural disasters.

Things to Consider

Remember to consider your personal situation. Assessing your property will help identify areas with more insurance coverage. Keep an updated record of your home’s value and possessions. The value of the items should align with the amount of temporary coverage selected.

Modifying Your Insurance Policy

One of our agents from The Shay Agency can upgrade your existing home insurance policy. Contact an agent serving the Wilkes-Barre, PA region for further assistance with your policy.

While there has been a trend over the last year to build homes on slabs in many areas, homeowners in Pennsylvania are finding that doesn’t work out in the long run. Below are some benefits of a higher foundation home if you’re planning to build or looking for an existing property. 

Reduce Mold and Water Damage

If you have a crawl space or a basement in your home, you have a place that is easy to access and drain any excess water that may come into your home. With a crawlspace, this water can go directly into the ground and be recycled back into the water table. If you have a basement, you’ll want to have it waterproofed, but then allow the French drain to capture the water and cycle it out of the home. There isn’t a place for the water and mold to go in homes on slabs, which can increase the damage in your home. 

Access Different Systems

You can easily access the plumbing system and your HVAC vents under the house when you have a home with a basement or a crawl space. Having this space to work makes it easier to diagnose any issues you may be having and get in there to fix them. Homes without this extra space can be harder to access and cost you more money in labor over time. 

Extra Living Space

Homes with full basements can add additional living space. You can finish and seal your basement so that it is a place for your kids to play and guests to sleep when they visit, or even rent out an apartment for additional income. 

If you’re a homeowner in the Wilkes-Barre, PA, area and want a personal insurance quote, contact our team at The Shay Agency today for more information. 

Some homeowners in Wilkes-Barre, PA, believe that their homeowner’s policy will cover all risks associated with their property. However, that is not the case. Virtually all homeowner’s insurance policies have exclusions, meaning they won’t cover specific incidents. So, how do you insure these additional risks?  The Shay Agency can advise homeowners on what additional coverage they should consider?

Consider Your Situation

Add-ons, also called riders, are additional coverage options that allow you to customize your protection. Not everyone will need each add-on, so analyzing your needs before buying such coverage is essential. Among the types of riders you should consider are the following:

• Scheduled property for items worth much more than your deductible
• Flood insurance and sump pump overflow essential in low-lying areas at risk for floods
• Identity theft to protect you from costs associated with thieves stealing your information
• Umbrella insurance provides additional liability insurance beyond what your policy covers

Endorsements vary by each insurance company, so it’s essential to check with your agent to determine which add-ons are available through a specific company. Some endorsements, such as scheduled property and flood insurance, can be expensive. Scheduled property increases with the amount and value of property insured. Flood insurance may be required if your home is in a flood plain. You may also want to consider underground utility service coverage if you live in an older property. Homeowners are responsible for mishaps that happen on utility lines on their properties.

Determining Your Needs

If you are wondering what you need regarding add-ons to your policy, the professionals at the Shay Agency can help. Each year, we advise hundreds of homeowners in Wilkes-Barre, PA, on the best policy riders for their needs. Contact our office today to get started on your personalized quote.

As we all prepare for winter, The Shay Agency is here to meet the insurance needs of the greater Wilkes-Barre, PA community. Several home policy features can protect you this winter. Let’s take a closer look.

Let Us Help You Get Ready for Winter

Winter weather can cause damage to your home in several different ways. From ice storms that create fallen trees to burst pipes, you want to know that you’re protected. Now’s an ideal time to review your current policy to ensure it provides the necessary coverage. Features that provide alternative accommodations if your home is deemed uninhabitable due to a covered event are important to have. Storm and ice damage is difficult enough to deal with without having to find somewhere to stay while your home is being repaired. Before winter arrives, you’ll want to sit down with your local agent to ensure you have the coverage you and your family need.

The right insurance policy can help you get through winter without too much stress. It’s impossible to know how severe the upcoming winter will be, but it’s possible to be prepared. Before the cold weather sets in, you’ll want to double-check your heating and plumbing systems to ensure they’re in good working order and ready to go. And you’ll be spending more time at home, so now’s the time to take care of any necessary house repairs.

The Shay Agency is here for you!

The Shay Agency is here to serve the insurance needs of residents in Wilkes-Barre, PA, and the surrounding area. Contact us today to learn more about the different features available with today’s home insurance policies. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

If you are a homeowner, it is imperative that you have home insurance in place. The agents at the Shay Agency, serving the Wilkes-Barre, PA area, want you to know and understand how vital home insurance is since we never know when tragedy will strike.

Reasons Home Insurance is Important

A home insurance policy can help protect your house from any type of cataclysmic event. These types of events can include natural disasters, such as tornadoes and earthquakes, as well as fires or even acts of vandalism.

If your home is burglarized, a home insurance policy can help you with any damage from such an incident and replace stolen items. This is due to the fact that home insurance covers not only the structure of your house but the contents as well. This can include your furniture, clothing, other personal belongings, appliances, and more.

Some insurance policies will also include any outbuildings on your property. Decks, garages, and sheds are just three examples of the type of outbuildings a home insurance policy can include.

Home insurance can also protect you from a lawsuit if a visitor to your home is injured while they are on your property. Your policy can help pay for their medical bills and any lost wages that they suffer due to their injury.

An adequate amount of home insurance will also provide you with peace of mind and knowing that the largest investment you will probably make in your lifetime is protected adequately.

Contact The Shay Agency

To get your home insurance policy started today, call one of the agents at the Shay Agency serving the Wilkes-Barre, PA area to assist you!

With cold winds whipping across the state and the days getting shorter, it is time to start thinking of how to prepare your home for winter. At The Shay Agency in Wilkes-Barre, PA, we are independent insurance agents that put the needs of our customers first. We will find you the right policy for the right price. 

Preparing for snow

Snow is one of the beauties of winter, but it also poses various hazards that you need to be prepared for. With yearly averages of more than 40 inches, having a snow blower can be very helpful. Making sure it is tuned up should be done before the first snowfall. Time to pick up a bag of salt and sand to keep your walkways from being a slip-and-fall hazard. 

Make sure your home is warm.

Getting a furnace cleaning and tune-up is even more important this year than ever. You want your furnace to be as efficient as possible. If you have a fireplace, this is also the time to get your chimney cleaned so that you can enjoy a warm fire crackling on the hearth. 

A safe home

In the cold weather, you spend more time indoors, and it is a good idea to make sure that your smoke and carbon monoxide are working and that the backup batteries are fresh. 

Plug the holes

It is time to ensure you are not losing your precious heat. Adding an extra layer of insulation to your attic is the first step. Check the fit of all your windows and doors, and use caulk and weather stripping to plug the leaks. 

Contact The Shay Agency in Wilkes-Barre, PA when you need to change or review your home insurance policy. We will give you the benefit of our years of experience. 

Those that live in the Wilkes-Barre, PA area are going to find that owning a home is a good long-term housing option. If you want to own a home in this area, you can find that it is a major asset that requires proper support and protection. Those that are looking for a way to cover their home should get a home insurance plan. You may need to have this coverage for a few reasons.

Protect Your Asset

A top reason to get a home insurance plan is so you can protect your asset. Buying a home is a very significant purchase and investment. Due to this, you need to make sure that you are protecting this investment as well as you can. Home coverage will provide you with a lot of support that can help to repair your home in some situations. 

Comply with your Requirements

You also need to have home insurance to comply with various requirements. If you intend to take out a mortgage, you will need to have insurance to stay in good standing with your loan agreement. Also, if the home is located within a larger association, there is likely a rule that will require you to carry coverage. 

Owning a property will always be a good housing option in the Wilkes-Barre, PA area. If you want to live in this area of the state and be a property owner, getting the right insurance coverage continues to be very important. As you are looking at your options, starting your search with The Shay Agency is a good idea. The team with The Shay Agency can offer any support that is needed to build a plan and ensure you remain fully covered and in compliance with any insurance obligations. 

People living in Wilkes-Barre, PA may not spend a lot of time worrying about flooding, but it is a real threat. It is dangerously close to the Susquehanna River that surrounds the main part of the city. The river usually stands at around 510 feet. If the river rises much above this normal level, flooding can occur very quickly.

Flood Insurance that Stands By You

The Shay Agency that serves the Wilkes-Barre, PA area is involved in helping people to prepare for the unexpected so that rebuilding and repairs can begin quickly following a flood.

The average cost of flood repair is around $3700 for every 200 feet, according to one source that keeps data on the history of flooding in various areas of the country. Imagine having to pay out-of-pocket for this. Most people simply cannot afford to do so. And you shouldn’t have to. 

Know Your Risks

The NOAA Weather Service keeps logs of flood information for various areas of the country. They recorded that the flood stage of the Susquehanna River is 22 feet. It is important to monitor the current stage of the river in your area and get out of the area when it is near the flood stage, especially if you live close to the banks of the river. 

Why Have Flood Insurance?

Having adequate flood insurance before a flood hits will keep you from worrying in the event you are hit by flooding or other potential disasters. Insurance is like a seatbelt that you hope you never have to use. But if you don’t wear it, it cannot help you.

If you have concerns about whether you should carry flood insurance and how much, see The Shay Agency for more information and find out how much insurance you should carry based on your personal flood risk.

Home may be where the heart is, but it is also one of the largest investments you will ever make. Protecting it solidifies your financial situation. Risks are everywhere and knowing what you need to be protected from helps you to make sure you have the right coverage. At The Shay Agency in Wilkes-Barre, PA, we are an independent agency, and we believe it is our responsibility to represent our customer’s interests. We will be there for you if you ever need to file a claim, and we are here to discuss any questions you may have.

Do I need to have home insurance?

If you own your home outright, then no you don’t have to have home insurance, it is not mandated by law. If however, you have a mortgage; your lender will require that you have enough home insurance to protect their investment in your home. 

What is the right deductible?

The right deductible is one you can easily pay and allows your home insurance to be affordable for you. The higher your deductible the lower your premium. Average deductibles range from as low as $500. 

What discounts are available?

Talk to your agent about available discounts. If you get your home and auto insurance from the same carrier you may be eligible for a multi-policy discount. Having safety equipment installed in your home and being close to a fire station are also ways to qualify for a discount. 

What things aren’t covered by home insurance?

Home insurance doesn’t cover everything. It excludes floods, sewer backup, earthquakes, mudslides, and sinkholes. Don’t expect your insurance to pay for termite or mold damage. 

When you are in the market for home insurance The Shay Agency in Wilkes-Barre, PA is here to meet with you. Give us a call or visit our office for a free quote. 

If you own a home, you need to purchase home insurance. However, you do have a few options to choose from when it comes to your home insurance policy. We offer home insurance for those in Wilkes-Barre, PA at The Shay Agency.

The following are three key options to consider when you purchase home insurance.

Amount of coverage regarding liability expenses

You will be able to choose from various maximum coverage options regarding liability expenses. You might find policies offering as little as $100,000 in liability coverage or much more than $300,000. You need to calculate your liability coverage needs depending on your risk of experiencing a liability lawsuit at your property. 

Additional living expense coverage

It’s always a good idea to invest in added coverage for additional living expenses. If severe damage occurs at your property, you might be temporarily unable to live at your property. In this scenario, it’s important to invest in coverage for additional living expenses. 

With additional living expense coverage, you’ll have the rent costs for a temporary living space covered on your home insurance policy. 

Actual cash value vs. replacement cost

One of the most basic decisions you’ll make is whether you want an actual cash value or replacement cost policy. Actual cash value policies tend to be lower cost, but they also don’t provide as much coverage. Replacement cost coverage is more secure in the event of a damage claim for your property. 

Let us help you choose between various options for your home insurance solution in Wilkes-Barre, PA. We can help you learn more about your options when it comes to home insurance at The Shay Agency.