Home Insurance in Bethel Park, PA

The Best Home Insurance in Bethel Park, PA

A suburb of Pittsburgh, Bethel Park is home to more than 32,000 people. It offers a small-town feel that is popular among young families who want affordable homes, safe schools, and low crime while remaining close to all the culture and entertainment that a larger city has to offer. An average home in the area costs about $266,016 with values on the rise, which means it is important to protect your property with quality home insurance in Bethel Park, PA. 

Yes, You Need Homeowner's Insurance

Often, the first question people ask us at VIU by HUB is whether they really need home insurance. The short answer is yes, you do. While Pennsylvania doesn't have any laws governing your need for a homeowner's policy, your mortgage lender likely added a clause to your contract stating that you needed to carry one. If you fail to do so, you may be at the mercy of its policies, which are often much more expensive. Even if you don't have a mortgage lender, it is still a good idea to carry home insurance in Bethel Park, PA. The unfortunate truth is that sometimes the unexpected happens. If your home catches on fire or is burglarized, you'll have to pay for the expenses from your own pocket if you don't have coverage. 

Purchasing the Right Amount of Coverage

For many people, the hardest part of purchasing home insurance is determining how much coverage is necessary. If you don't buy enough, you'll still be paying out of pocket if something unfortunate happens. On the other hand, if you purchase more than you need to cover your assets, you'll be tossing away money on the premium.

When it comes to insuring your home, it's important to understand that the replacement cost and the actual cash value are two different things. The replacement cost of your home is how much it costs to repair damages or rebuilt it from the ground up. The actual cash value is how much your home is worth once you factor in wear and tear. Typically, a cash value policy will not be enough to fully rebuild a home. We recommend insuring it for at least 80% of its replacement value. 

Your homeowner's insurance covers more than the house itself, but you'll need to determine if it provides enough compensation. For example, your basic policy may only cover jewelry or personal property for up to a certain dollar amount. If the limit is $1,000 but you have a family heirloom worth several thousand, you'll want to purchase additional coverage for that item.

Homeowner's insurance also provides personal liability and medical payment coverage. You can choose how much is appropriate for your situation. If you don't own pets, don't work from home, and don't have household employees, you won't need as much coverage. However, if you worry your dog may bite someone, run a business out of a home office, or employ nannies, cleaners, or other household staff, it's a good idea to pay for more than the minimum. Speaking of home businesses, keep in mind that you'll need separate business insurance to cover your inventory, even if it is in your home. 

You May Need Additional Coverage

While home insurance in Bethel Park, PA, covers a wide range of situations, such as fire, theft, and vandalism, it doesn't provide coverage for everything. If your home collapses due to lack of maintenance, for example, insurance may not pay for it. Perhaps you live near a river and rising waters flooded your home, causing mold and mildew damage. Most policies won't pay for these. If you worry about these situations, ask us what your options are for protecting your home and, when possible, covering situations not otherwise specified in a home policy.

This information is intended for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice.