Frequently asked questions about home insurance

If you are a homeowner, you might need home insurance depending on state requirements and what your lender requires. The topic of insurance can be confusing. Blue Hen Insurance LLC is happy to assist Middletown, DE area homeowners. Here are some answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about home insurance.

Frequently asked questions about home insurance

What is the 80/20 rule of home insurance?

As a rule, most insurance companies require you to have at least 80% of the total replacement cost of your home insured.

What is not covered by home insurance?

Although home insurance covers many things, there are some things it does not cover. These include termite damage, animal damage, earthquake damage, water damage, and normal wear and tear.

What factors determine the cost of home insurance?

Home insurance can be expensive depending on a lot of factors. Where you live can determine whether your insurance premium will be cheaper or more costly. If you live somewhere with higher risks, such as flooding, earthquakes, tornadoes, etc., you will most likely have a higher premium because of the added risks of damage.

The replacement cost of your home is another factor that plays into the cost of your insurance premium. These costs include the materials, number of rooms, and local rebuilding costs.

What two things can you do to reduce the cost of home insurance?

Depending on the age of your house and the insurance company, home improvements can reduce the cost of your premium. If you own an older house, newer wiring, and a new roof can significantly reduce the cost of your insurance.

Another thing you can do to reduce the cost is to bundle your car and home insurance together. Bundling can get you a significant discount on both your vehicle and your home.

Reach Out To Us

Contact us at Blue Hen Insurance LLC in Middletown, DE for more insurance information.

Types of Automobile Insurance Available

It is required by law that Middletown, DE residents obtain automobile insurance of various types. Blue Hen Insurance LLC is here to help you navigate the different types of coverage available to you. 

Types of Automobile Insurance Available

One category is PIP or personal injury protection. This coverage is typically purchased in states that follow no-fault laws which declare a person must cover their own expenses regardless of who is at fault for the accident. Delaware is an at-fault state yet still mandates this insurance product. 

PIP will cover your medical costs, and it can also make payment for lost wages. State regulations require you to purchase at least $15,000 per person or $30,000 per collision. 

In addition, you need to procure liability indemnification. Your Blue Hen Insurance LLC representative and go over the exact scenarios that would be included, but generally speaking, it would pay for expenses resulting in property damage to the other party’s vehicle. It will also extend to their hospital bills and lost income. $25,000 is required per person and $50,000 per wreck.

Collision coverage indemnifies your vehicle in the event that you come into contact with another object, and this can include things like a lamp post, a mailbox, or a car. Comprehensive insurance takes care of situations that do not involve a wreck, such as falling tree branches or hailstorms. 

Underinsured protection helps when the other party has insurance but lacks a sufficient amount to cover your costs. An uninsured policy is for situations where another driver has no insurance at all. Gap insurance pays off your loan balance if it is less than what you receive from your settlement. 

Get The Right Coverage Today

We invite you to reach out to us today to discuss your specific situation by phone, online, or in person at the office. We serve those who live in and around Middletown, DE, and we look forward to doing business with you. 

What does a condo unit policy cover?

In condo complexes, a unit policy is separate from a master policy, which covers the entire condominium complex. The master policy provides liability coverage for all of the common spaces and amenities, such as the exterior of buildings, hallways, elevators, lobbies, exercise areas, swimming pools, and other features that all condo owners share. It typically doesn’t cover any damage to individual units of condominiums. This is where unit policies come in. Blue Hen Insurance LLC, serving the Middletown, DE area, is here to assist with all your queries. 

What does a condo unit policy cover?

Unit policies are specific to each individual owner and provide coverage for damages to the owner’s property inside their condo unit or apartment. These policies may include coverage for furniture, appliances, and any other personal belongings that the unit owner owns. They can also provide additional living expenses if you are forced out of your home due to a covered loss such as a fire or natural disaster.

In addition to covering damage to your property, most condo unit policies will also provide liability coverage if someone is injured in your home or if you cause damage to someone else’s property while you are living in the condo. This type of coverage is important because it helps protect you from financial losses related to lawsuits or medical bills for injuries caused by you or on your premises.

Unit policies should always be supplemented with a master policy since it covers items that no single unit owner could be responsible for – like structural damage caused by storms or fires that impact multiple units at once. Both types of insurance work together to ensure that all condo owners are adequately protected against potential disasters that can occur within their shared community space.

Contact Us Today

If you have any additional questions, give Blue Hen Insurance LLC a call today. We proudly serve the Middletown, DE area. 

Preparing your Home for the Winter Months

Warm fireplaces, family, friends, hot cocoa, sleigh rides. These are some things that people think of and look forward to in the winter months. While there are certainly a lot of good things to look forward to in winter, there are a lot of precautions that you need to take to get your house ready for winter. Our team of insurance experts at Blue Hen Insurance LLC in Middletown, DE is happy to provide you with a guide.

Get things inspected and prepared for winter

There are a few things that you should have a professional inspect and help you with getting prepared for winter. If you have a wood stove or a fireplace, you should have a professional chimney sweep clean your chimney and make sure that everything works properly. Next, make sure that you have enough wood for the winter. If wood is not your primary source of heating, call a professional to check your home heating system to make sure it is running well.

Another thing that should be inspected is your roof. Hire a professional to make sure that there are no cracks where critters, water, and cold air could come into your home.

The following things still need to be inspected, but you do not need a professional to inspect them:

  • Inspect and seal doors and windows
  • Check trees and cut back branches that are close to the house
  • Seal masonry and hard surfaces
  • Test carbon monoxide and smoke detectors
  • Make sure things are properly insulated
  • Make sure everything is ready for snow removal

Other winter preparations

Once everything has been inspected, other preparations should be made before winter hits.

  • Clean gutters
  • Reverse ceiling fans
  • Prepare lawn equipment by draining fuel from small gas-powered engines
  • Cover patio furniture
  • Check your insurance coverage

Get Home Insurance Today

For any insurance questions, contact Blue Hen Insurance LLC in Middletown, DE.

How To Reduce Your Chances of Being in an Accident

No one wants to be in an accident. They’re costly, stressful, and can sometimes result in serious injuries. But did you know that there are things you can do to reduce your chances of being involved in a collision? Our team at Blue Hen Insurance LLC in Middletown, DE is here to provide you with a guide.

Here are some tips on how to stay safe on the roads:

Become a Defensive Driver

Becoming a defensive driver means being aware of your surroundings and making sure you’re always paying attention to the other vehicles on the road. Additionally, it means obeying the speed limit and following all traffic laws.

Make Sure Your Vehicle Is Always Well-maintained

This means regularly checking your tires, brakes, and lights and making sure they’re all in good working condition. It’s also important to have any necessary repairs made in a timely manner. 

Plan Your Route Ahead of Time

If you know where you’re going and what route you’ll be taking, you’re less likely to get lost and end up in an unfamiliar area. This can help you avoid getting into a situation where you’re more likely to be involved in an accident.

Never Drive When You’re Tired

Drowsy driving is one of the leading causes of accidents. If you’re tired, take a break and get some rest before getting back behind the wheel.

Get Auto Insurance Today

By following these tips, you can help reduce your chances of being involved in an accident. However, even the most cautious drivers can’t always avoid collisions. That’s why it’s important to have quality auto insurance coverage from a trusted agency like Blue Hen Insurance LLC in Middletown, DE. We can help you find the right policy for your needs and budget so that you can rest assured knowing you’re protected in the event of an accident. Contact us today to get started.

What isn’t covered by condo insurance?

Condo insurance is designed to provide protection for condo owners, similar to homeowners insurance. However, like homeowners insurance, there are things that aren’t covered under condo insurance. Our team at Blue Hen Insurance LLC is committed to helping Middletown, DE condo owners understand condo insurance. 

Understanding Condo Insurance

What’s Typically Covered by Condo Insurance?

Condo insurance is designed to provide liability protection as well as coverage for damage, stolen items, and your unit’s fixtures and appliances. It’s designed to cover what the homeowners association (HOA) will not cover. For example, condo insurance would cover the repair of the inside of your unit/condo, and provide liability protection if you’re sued for negligence.

What’s NOT Covered?

Although there are many things that condo insurance covers, there are specific things that wouldn’t be covered under a condo insurance policy. Condo insurance will not cover damage caused by earthquakes, floods, nuclear hazards, underground water, and damage from birds, rats, and insects. Normal wear and tear, intentional harm to others, and sewer backups. You’ll need to purchase separate endorsements or a separate policy for coverage for these items. 

Other Considerations

Typically, damage caused by earth movement and natural disasters isn’t covered by condo insurance. It’s best to purchase separate coverage if you live in an area prone to these types of incidents. Damage caused by earthquakes, floods, sinkholes, and other natural disasters isn’t covered by condo insurance.

Our team at Blue Hen Insurance LLC is dedicated to helping our Middletown, DE customers understand what’s covered by condo insurance and what’s not. Our team can also help customers purchase additional coverage if needed. If you have questions about condo insurance, give us a call. We’d be happy to answer all of your questions.

What types of coverage does home insurance provide?

Home insurance is the protection that all homeowners need to provide peace of mind. So many things can happen that may endanger both your home and your assets. Home insurance is not just one line of insurance but several. At Blue Hen Insurance LLC in Middletown, DE, we are independent insurance agents working for our customers and not for the insurance companies. We will ensure you get the right insurance for your requirements at the best possible price. 

Property coverage

Home insurance protects the physical structure of your house, the roof, walls, major systems, porches, garages, and decks. It also covers detached structures such as a shed, a pool, or a garage under other structure coverage. Not everything that can damage the structure is covered, so be sure to read your home policy for exclusions. 

Liability coverage

Many things can go wrong at your home, and if someone is injured while there or away from home by a family member, you could find yourself with medical bills and the potential of a judgment against you. Legal fees are also covered. 

Contents coverage

You own a lot of stuff, probably a lot more than you realize. Your home insurance covers these personal possessions from many hazards, including theft, even when you have your stuff away from home. 

Loss of use coverage

When a covered hazard damages your home, you will need a place to stay. Insurance allows you to get a hotel to sleep in and helps pay for food when you have no place to cook. It can pay rent if you are out of your home for an extended time. 

Contact Blue Hen Insurance LLC in Middletown, DE when you are ready to review your current home insurance or get new home insurance.