Home and auto insurance are two things that everyone needs. If you've recently moved from one state to another, it's imperative that you understand what your insurance will cover in your new home state. Here, you'll find a few things to contact your insurance agent about before you assume one thing and learn how the coverage really works at the worst possible time.

Hail Damage

Hail damage coverage is one part of a homeowner's insurance policy that may change from state to state. Some states are more prone to heavy hail damage, and this leads to insurers putting limits on the amount of damage that they cover. In fact, there are some companies that have included a "cosmetic clause" in their homeowner's insurance policy. This means that if the damage is purely cosmetic, the cost of repairs will not be covered under the policy. There are ways to ensure that you're fully protected, like adding insurance riders to the policy to ensure that the cosmetic damage will be covered as well.

Maximum and Minimum Deductibles

When you hold a mortgage or auto loan, you have to insure the home or car you purchased. In some states, there is a maximum and minimum deductible that can be carried on each of these policies. Don't assume that the insurance policy in your old state carried the same deductible limitations – you may be able to lower or increase the deductible in your new home state to make the policy more affordable.

Upgraded Building Materials

Do you know what building materials were used when constructing your new home? Some building materials actually lower the cost of the insurance premium because they are less likely to become damaged during harsh weather events. One example is wind-resistant shingles. From the ground, you'd never be able to tell that the shingles are actually designed to withstand hurricane-level winds and could be missing out on a nice reduction in your rates. If you think the home may have been constructed with these upgraded materials, contact a home inspection professional to have the home inspected and note any upgrades that would impact the insurance premiums for the home.

Right now is the time to contact your insurance agent to learn more about the coverages that you carry on your home and vehicles. Don't wait for harsh weather events to come in and damage your home and vehicles to learn that the coverage isn't there to help you get through a difficult time.

To learn more about hail damage and insurance policies, contact a company in your area like Skipton Claims Management.

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