20 UCW MARCH 17 - 23, 2010
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM
Earn
18
units
of
college
credit
in
a
curriculum
designed
for
working
adults.
Begin
in
fall
2010.
•
Improve
your
writing
and
editing
skills.
•
Master
desktop
publishing
software.
•
Expand
your
career
opportunities.
As
we
build
our
program,
we
are
seeking
feedback
from
prospective
students.
Please
take
a
few
minutes
to
complete
our
online
survey
at
www.methodist.edu/ir/writers.htm
For
more
information,
contact
Dr.
Kelly
Walter-Carney,
Chair
of
the
Department
of
English
and
Writing,
at
kcarney@methodist.edu
Part One of Two Part Article
Homeowners insurance provides
you with a lot of options to match your
unique needs, but sometimes all that
choice can be confusing. Learn more
about the insurance policy basics and
talk to your insurance agent about the
specifics. Your Independent Agent can
help you review and decide what op-
tions are right for you.
A standard homeowner's insurance
policy includes these types of coverage:
Coverage for the Structure of your
Home and Other Structures:
This part of your policy pays to
repair or rebuild your home for dam-
age caused by most common risks.
Typically, damage caused by fire, wind,
hail or lightning is covered under this
part of the policy. Insurance for flood,
earthquake, water and sewer backup
damage must be purchased separately.
Most standard policies also cover
structures that are detached from your
home such as a garage, tool shed or gazebo. Generally, these structures are
covered for about 10-20 percent of the amount of insurance you have on
the structure of your home.
When deciding on the limits of your coverage — the maximum amount
the insurance company can pay — make sure that your policy covers the cost
to replace the structure, not market value or just what you still owe on it.
Coverage for your Personal Belongings:
Whether the contents of your house —
furniture, clothing and other items — are sto-
len or destroyed in an insured disaster such as
a fire, they are covered under this part of the
policy. Most companies provide coverage for
about 50-75 percent of the amount of insur-
ance you have on the structure of your home.
Conduct a home inventory to determine
if that's enough coverage for your personal
belongings. If the amount is insufficient, or if
you have particularly valuable items like fine
art and jewelry, you may need to purchase ad-
ditional coverage, called a floater.
Additionally, most homeowner policies
contain internal sub-limits for such items as
guns, furs and silverware that can limit the
amount of recovery. Also, most policies limit
contents coverage for property kept at an ad-
ditional residence.
Coverage for Additional Living
Expenses:
If the damage from a fire, storm or other
insured peril forces you out of your home,
this part of the policy covers the expenses in addition to "normal" living ex-
penses incurred while your home is being repaired
and/or rebuilt.
Understanding Homeowners Insurance
by BRYAN MIRANDA and RON DARDEN
BRYAN MIRANDA AND RON DARDEN,
Contributing Writers.
COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 222
or editor@upandcomingweekly.com.
Good insurance coverage is key to protecting not only your home, but
other valuables as well.
