Home Insurance in Arizona – How Much Coverage Should I Have?

Written By: Drew Needles on September 28, 2009 One Comment

by Dean Munzy

Arizona home insurance is usually viewed as either a necessary evil or an evil necessity. In either case, home insurance is required of every home owner holding a mortgage. Not to be confused with title insurance, home insurance covers the house, other property buildings, and furnishings.

Policies also have options called “riders” where additional personal property such as jewelry, furs, high end electronics (home theater equipment), etc.

Flood insurance is a separate policy that is required in certain areas prone to flooding due to storms. There is mandatory and optional coverage. If you live in a flood plain you will be required to purchase flood insurance. Without this coverage, you could lose everything in a storm such as a hurricane. If you aren’t in a flood plain it’s not a bad idea to have this type of coverage just in case. No one really knows how far flood waters can reach!

There are governing boards in each state that monitor all the Arizona insurance companies. They set rates and hear disputes between consumers and the companies. If you have a problem that can’t be solved any other way, contact your state’s board of overseers for information on how to proceed with a complaint. Many states allow you to file one on line. You will be kept in the loop as to when and if an investigation will be performed.

Don’t over pay for unnecessary coverage; home insurance can be very expensive. Look at higher deductibles and try to re-evaluate your furniture’s true worth.

Unless you own expensive irreplaceable antiques, or something that was custom made, you have a good chance of paying for your furniture over and over during the course of a policy where you never have a claim. It may be more cost effective to pay a minimal amount for insurance and gamble on the fact that nothing is going to happen to your home to cause a total loss including furniture.

All Arizona home insurance policies should cover the cost of replacing your home in a disaster. Make certain you have updated this each time you renew your policy. You don’t want to find out the hard way that you are only insured for what you paid for your home years ago.

Keep in mind that insurance companies are structured to make it difficult for you to get a major claim paid. This is what public adjusters are for. Take advantage of the services of a public adjuster if you believe your Phoenix insurance company is undercutting your claim, or your claim is denied.

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