Home Insurance

Can Home Insurance Cover Preventive Maintenance?

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It makes sense that home insurance in Richmond, VA would cover preventative maintenance, especially if it can prevent an insurance claim. For example, a leaning tree can fall on the house, causing damage. However, it’s not that simple. 

Standard Coverage and Preventive Maintenance

Policies do not cover preventative maintenance, such as removing a leaning tree. This is considered the homeowner’s responsibility. In fact, you can run into trouble if you don’t remove the leaning tree. An agency may consider this high risk and raise your monthly premium. They may specifically exclude incidents of falling trees from insurance coverage. 

You may face a denied claim if the tree falls, even if it’s from a covered peril. For example, if the wind knocks down a leaning tree, this would be considered wind damage, which may be covered under the policy. However, a company can still deny your claim because you failed to do preventative maintenance. It’s important to contact us at the Bacon Insurance Group to see if a leaning tree can impact your policy or future claims. 

What About Normal Wear and Tear?

Every home has normal wear and tear as the years pass. Wind will blow a few shingles loose. The home may end up with water damage from a leaking roof or require additional maintenance. However, this is also considered the homeowner’s responsibility. Policies won’t cover normal wear and tear, or damage caused by your lack of maintenance. 

For example, if there is water damage from a leaking roof because you failed to do maintenance, the company can deny your claim. 

We understand how frustrating this can be. Professionals at the Bacon Insurance Group will work with you to learn about your situation and help you in any way we can. Contact us today to get started with an insurance company that cares. We’re currently serving the Richmond, VA area. 

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What to do if Your Insurance Agency Cancels Your Coverage

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If you’re a Richmond, VA homeowner who has received notice that your home insurance policy is being canceled, it’s important to take immediate action. Your home is likely your most valuable asset, and losing coverage could result in significant financial loss in the event of an unfortunate incident. Additionally, if you’re still making mortgage payments, your lender may secure coverage on your behalf or even initiate foreclosure proceedings if the home cannot be insured.

Cancellation or Failure to Renew

Review your notification carefully to determine whether your insurer is canceling your policy outright or informing you that it won’t be renewed. If your policy is being canceled, determine the reason and explore the steps you can take to address the issue. Cancellations often occur due to actions or inactions on your part, such as missed premium payments or failure to make necessary repairs. Paying overdue premiums or completing required repairs could help you reinstate your insurance. If repairs are needed, ensure you obtain the necessary permits and hire certified professionals to complete the work.

If your insurer has notified you that your policy won’t be renewed, the issue may be beyond your control. Sometimes, insurance companies decide to stop serving a particular area. Alternatively, coverage may be withdrawn due to a high frequency of natural disasters in your region. Insurers may also decline to renew policies if you’ve filed too many claims.

Need Insurance? Contact Bacon Insurance Group

Bacon Insurance Group serves homeowners in and around Richmond, VA. We offer a variety of policies and policy bundles from multiple carriers to help you secure the coverage your home needs at a price you can afford. Contact us today to learn more about our offerings or to request price quotes.

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Are You Responsible If a Fire from Your Home Spreads to a Neighbor’s House?

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A house fire is one of the most devastating events a homeowner can experience. But what happens if the fire doesn’t just damage your home, but also spreads to a neighbor’s house? Could you be held responsible for the destruction beyond your property? At Bacon Insurance Group in Richmond, VA, we help homeowners understand their coverage and potential liabilities so they can be prepared for the unexpected.

When Might You Be Liable for a Fire That Spreads?

In most cases, homeowners are not automatically responsible for fire damage to neighboring properties. Insurance policies typically cover accidents, meaning that if a fire started in your home due to an unforeseen event, like an electrical malfunction or a kitchen mishap, your neighbor’s insurance would likely cover their own damages.

However, if the fire was caused by negligence, the situation changes. If you left candles burning unattended, failed to maintain faulty wiring, or neglected fire hazards that you were aware of, you could be found liable for the damages. In these cases, your homeowners insurance may help cover the costs, but only if you have sufficient liability coverage.

How Can You Protect Yourself?

The best way to safeguard yourself from financial responsibility is by ensuring your homeowners insurance includes adequate liability coverage. This can help protect you if a fire from your home causes damage to others. Regular home maintenance, fire prevention measures, and open communication with your insurance provider are also key.

Secure the Right Coverage Today

Fire damage can be unpredictable, but your insurance coverage shouldn’t be. Bacon Insurance Group in Richmond, VA, can help you find the right homeowners policy to protect you and your property. Contact us today to review your options and gain peace of mind.

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Things home insurance won’t cover

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Home insurance offers a wide selection of protection for your home. It shields you from the consequences of fires, tornadoes, and many other hazards. It provides protection when you get sued and offers you a place to live if your home is damaged. However, it does not cover everything that could go wrong. At Bacon Insurance Group in Richmond, VA, our agents represent many different carriers, which allows us to offer more choices and better rates.

Despite the many things that home insurance covers, there are some things that it won’t cover.

Earth movement

Several different things come under the category of earth movement. If your home is damaged by an earthquake, sinkhole, mudslide, or landslide, the damage will not be covered by a traditional home insurance policy. However, you can get coverage for these things from your insurance agent.

Floods

Floods are one of the most common natural disasters. Thousands of people suffer from devastating losses due to floods every year. Floods that result from surface water are not covered by home insurance. Flood insurance is available through the NFIP. This is available through your independent insurance agent.

Owner neglect

Owner neglect might sound like you are letting your home run to rack and ruin, but it doesn’t need to be nearly as extreme as that. If your roof is old, and you are not getting it replaced, that is neglect. If you end up with termites, that is neglect. You should have gotten your home treated. Your insurance company expects you to do the basic repairs that are needed to your home to avoid damage.

Aggressive dog breeds

If you are considering getting a dog, check with your insurance agent to ensure it is a covered breed.

Bacon Insurance Group in Richmond, VA is here for you when you are ready to discuss your home insurance coverage. Our independent agents are here for you.

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Why You Should Choose an Independent Insurance Agent for Your Home Insurance

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An independent insurance agent can help you shop around with different insurance carriers, helping you find the right carrier and policy for your needs. Many homeowners may not be aware of independent insurance agents or how they differ from other insurance agents.

If you have questions, the professionals at Bacon Insurance Group, servicing Richmond, VA, have answers. Here’s what you need to know about independent insurance agents.

What Is An Independent Insurance Agent?

An independent insurance agent is not employed by any specific insurance company. Instead, they can explore insurance options from different carriers and may work with numerous companies to help their customers find the most suitable insurance policy for their needs.

What Are the Benefits of An Independent Insurance Agent?

There are many benefits of collaborating with an independent insurance agent. For example:

  • Independent insurance agents can shop around for the best price and coverage options.
  • Independent insurance agents have access to a larger range of insurance products to meet the needs of their clients.
  • Independent insurance agents can more readily act in the best interests of their clients without having to meet a specific quota from their insurance agency.

How to Get Started With An Independent Insurance Agent for Your Home Insurance?

Do you want to get your home insurance through an independent insurance agent? Contact Bacon Insurance Group, servicing Richmond, VA. We work with a variety of insurance carriers and help homeowners connect to the right insurance products. We can help you find the right policy for your budget and needs.

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Types of Coverage in Your Home Insurance Policy

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When you’re a homeowner, it’s essential that you have home insurance from the first day you own it. Coverage should start the day you buy the home, and you need to keep it for as long as you live there. If you don’t have home insurance, call us at Bacon Insurance Group in Richmond, VA. 

Home Coverage

Part of the coverage you get from home insurance is to protect the house itself. This coverage is extremely important for covering the cost of repairs if they are needed because of a destructive event. When a destructive event happens to your home, the resulting repair bills can be extreme. It can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars to get repairs after the damage has been done. The policy can pay for this coverage. 

Possessions Coverage

Your belongings are in your home, and when damage happens to the home, it may also mean damage to your possessions. Home insurance includes coverage for all of your possessions in the home. When you add up what it costs to replace everything, you soon see why this coverage is essential for every homeowner. 

Liability Coverage

You’re liable for what happens in your home, including any accidents. If someone becomes injured in your home, you’d owe for all of their expenses related to the accident. This can be an enormous amount, even if the injury isn’t that bad. Medical bills can surprise you, but your home insurance’s liability coverage will prepare you for them. 

Get Your Home Insurance Today

Call us at Bacon Insurance Group in Richmond, VA to get started with your home insurance policy. 

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Three Ways Home Insurance Protects You Financially

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Owning a home is a big responsibility. It’s important to be able to protect yourself and your home from a number of possible risks. To do this, you need a home insurance policy. It will protect you in a number of ways against high costs after something happens to or in your home. To get your policy, call us at Bacon Insurance Group in Richmond, VA to get started. 

It Protects Your Home

There are many damaging events that can happen to a home. These may end up costing thousands for the necessary repairs. Your home insurance policy will cover many risks that can damage your home. If you didn’t have this insurance, you could face unaffordable repair bills or even the destruction of your home. Home insurance can pay for the repairs of covered events and even pay for it to be rebuilt if it’s destroyed. 

It Can Replace Your Belongings

Just like coverage for the home itself, these policies also cover your belongings inside your home. When a damaging event happens, it’s often not just the home that gets damaged. When your items are ruined, your home policy can pay for those belongings to be replaced. This can be a huge savings when the unexpected happens and you have to replace expensive items. It’s never a good idea to go without this coverage. 

It Covers Your Liability 

Another huge expense can be the medical bills of someone who is injured in your home. Home insurance comes with liability coverage that will pay those bills after an accident with injuries. This is important financial protection just in case someone on your property is hurt. 

Don’t Be Without Home Insurance

You need to have your home covered from the day you bought it until the day you sell it. To get your policy, call Bacon Insurance Group in Richmond, VA. 

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Tips Preparing Your Finances for Homeownership

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Owning a home here in the Richmond, VA area is an incredible milestone. If you’re planning to make the leap into homeownership, it’s important to prepare your finances so that you can be successful in the long run.

Here are some tips from us at Bacon Insurance Group to help get you started on the right path: 

1. Get organized

Make sure that all of your financial documents are in order, including bank statements, credit card statements, investment accounts, and other important information. It’s also helpful to track your spending habits and create a budget for yourself so that you can stay on top of your finances once you become a homeowner. 

2. Understand what you can afford

 Before purchasing a home, take some time to understand what kind of mortgage payment you can realistically afford by looking at your income and other expenses. This will help ensure that buying a house doesn’t put too much strain on your budget each month. 

3. Save up for a down payment

 Most lenders require borrowers to pay at least a 20% down payment when purchasing a house so it’s important to start saving up as soon as possible for this expense. Try setting aside money from each paycheck or using tax refunds or bonuses to work towards this goal. 

4. Pay off debt

Before applying for a mortgage, try to pay down any existing debt such as credit cards or student loans if possible since high levels of debt could lower the amount of money you’ll be able to borrow from the lender. 

We Can Help!

For more tips or to find an insurance policy to cover your new home, give us at Bacon Insurance Group a call today. We are proud to serve the Richmond, VA area.

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Tips Preparing Your Finances for Homeownership

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Owning a home here in the Richmond, VA area is an incredible milestone. If you’re planning to make the leap into homeownership, it’s important to prepare your finances so that you can be successful in the long run.

Here are some tips from us at Bacon Insurance Group to help get you started on the right path: 

1. Get organized

Make sure that all of your financial documents are in order, including bank statements, credit card statements, investment accounts, and other important information. It’s also helpful to track your spending habits and create a budget for yourself so that you can stay on top of your finances once you become a homeowner. 

2. Understand what you can afford

 Before purchasing a home, take some time to understand what kind of mortgage payment you can realistically afford by looking at your income and other expenses. This will help ensure that buying a house doesn’t put too much strain on your budget each month. 

3. Save up for a down payment

 Most lenders require borrowers to pay at least a 20% down payment when purchasing a house so it’s important to start saving up as soon as possible for this expense. Try setting aside money from each paycheck or using tax refunds or bonuses to work towards this goal. 

4. Pay off debt

Before applying for a mortgage, try to pay down any existing debt such as credit cards or student loans if possible since high levels of debt could lower the amount of money you’ll be able to borrow from the lender. 

We Can Help!

For more tips or to find an insurance policy to cover your new home, give us at Bacon Insurance Group a call today. We are proud to serve the Richmond, VA area.

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How Home Insurance Protects Your Home

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When you own a home, there’s always something that needs to be done to keep your home protected. One of the things that will best protect your home is a home insurance policy. These policies are essential for keeping your home as protected as possible from a wide range of risks that can affect it. When you’re buying a home and need home insurance, call us at Bacon Insurance Group in Richmond, VA to find out more. 

Versatile Protection for the Home

There are many things that can happen to a home to damage or even destroy it. There is a broad range of incidents such as certain accidents, disasters, and other events that can result in a lot of damage to the dwelling. When these happen to a home protected by home insurance, the policy can pay for the repairs that are needed to get your home back in shape. Repair bills can be extremely high after a damaging incident, and without home insurance, they could be insurmountable. It could be too expensive to get your home back into good condition without the help of a home policy. 

Protection for What’s Inside

You also need protection for everything inside your home. Your possessions have cost a lot, and they also need to be protected. The protection you get from home insurance also extends to your possessions, paying for you to replace items that were lost during covered events. The items inside your home add up to an enormous amount of value. After your investment in your home, your investment in your belongings is often nearly as high. Your home insurance also gives you protection against liability when someone is in your home and has an accident. 

Get Home Insurance 

Never go without home insurance because of the many ways it protects you. To get started, call us at Bacon Insurance Group in Richmond, VA.

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