Tips for making your home safer while you’re away on vacation

Americans have never needed to go on vacation more than they do now. It may have been a while since you jumped into the car for a road trip or to the airport to get to your destination. At  E.S.T.I.R. Inc. in Bloomfield, NJ, we are independent insurance agents, and we want to help you make sure that your home is protected from all the bad things that can happen while on vacation. 

You need to make sure you are not leaving your home vulnerable to issues while you are away. There are a few things you can do before you leave for vacation to help.

Get a house sitter

Ideally, getting a housesitter will not leave your home unoccupied while you are away. This needs to be someone you know you can trust not to make the issues worse. If you have pets, this is a great way to protect your home and make sure your pets are cared for without having to board them. 

Stop your mail

Stopping your mail means that you won’t have a pile of mail in your mailbox. You can stop it easily by going online to the USPS website and requesting the stop. Always stop it at least a day in advance so you can check to make sure it is stopped.

Arm your alarm

This sounds self-evident, but in the rush and excitement to leave, it is not unknown for this to have been forgotten. 

Have lights on a timer

Have several lights in your home on a timer to come on at different times. You want it to look like someone is at home. 

Don’t announce your plans on social media.

Never tell everyone on social media that you will be away. Wait until you get back to share your photos and plans. 

Contact  E.S.T.I.R. Inc. in  Bloomfield, NJ with all your home insurance needs.

What you need to know before starting a major project on your home

Making your Bloomfield, NJ area house feel like a home can feel like a significant undertaking. This is especially true if you are about to start a major project in your home. Before you get started, let’s make sure that your home policy provides the enhanced coverage you may need for a renovation. Come by the E.S.T.I.R. Inc. office today and find out more!

Double-check your home insurance BEFORE starting a big project

If you are planning on starting a major improvement or renovation project in your home, double-check your home policy first! When you have contractors working at your home, you may need to increase your liability coverage before they get started. Yes, contractors and construction workers must carry their own insurance policies, but they don’t always provide the protection you need. Their insurance is there to protect themselves, first and foremost. 

When you have the increased liability protection you need, you can rest easy knowing that you’ll be covered. Having this coverage in place can help you avoid personal financial responsibility if someone is injured while working on your home improvement project. It’s also important to make any post-project changes to your home policy to reflect any value increases. 

We are here to help you with all of your insurance needs!

Bloomfield, NJ residents can rely on the team at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. for all of their insurance needs. We are here to help you protect your home and yourself. Let’s ensure that you have the liability protection you need before you start a major renovation. If you’d like to find out more, give us a call or stop by our office today!

Why You Need Homeowner’s Insurance in New Jersey

Homeowners in Bloomfield, NJ should be well aware of the necessity of having homeowner’s insurance to protect their most valuable investment (their home). E.S.T.I.R. Inc. encourages anyone in the New Jersey area to look into homeowner’s insurance and find a plan and an agent that will assist you with the entire process. 

Homeownership comes with a plethora of responsibilities, and insurance acts as additional protection and support when you need it most. In New Jersey, the weather can get a bit unpredictable and your home may become damaged in a severe storm. Insurance protects your home from any weather-related damage. 

If your home is destroyed in a natural disaster or weather-related incident, a quality insurance policy can cover the costs of repairing or rebuilding it. 

Imagine your home getting destroyed and you are not only left to pick up the pieces, but you also have to take on the financial burden of repairing or rebuilding and finding somewhere to stay in the meantime. It’s too much stress to even fathom; another great reason to simply invest in homeowner’s insurance and not even give it a second thought.

Another reason is your personal property within the home – this can all be covered by an insurance policy. 

Think of all your clothing, electronics, furniture, and everything that means something to you in your home. If your home gets broken into or your personal property is somehow damaged or ruined, your insurance can often cover the costs here as well. 

Home insurance protects you in an endless number of "What If" situations. They may never happen, but if they do, you’ll be so glad you invested in a quality insurance plan. 

Contact the team at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. for full-coverage insurance plans in Bloomfield, NJ.

How Home Insurance Protects You

It’s great to own a home, but it does come with a number of important responsibilities. One of these is to have a home insurance policy covering your home from the day you buy it onward. Don’t go without this vital insurance coverage for even a single day. If you need home coverage, call us today at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. in Bloomfield, NJ.

Coverage for Your Home

One of the most important ways that home insurance covers you is to protect your house itself. If a covered disaster, accident or other incident were to cause damage to your home, your home policy would pay for the damages to it or pay to rebuild it if it’s destroyed. There are many accidents and calamities that can happen to homes and trying to pay for the damages yourself may be simply too much to afford. With this policy, you won’t have to worry about coming up with the money yourself to fix the problem. 

Coverage for Your Belongings

Another important way that this insurance keeps you protected is by covering everything that you keep inside your home. All of your belongings are protected against covered incidents, and this can help you to replace items that are ruined and to fix items that are damaged. This is valuable coverage because our possessions are often our biggest outlay of money next to our homes. 

Protecting Your Lifestyle

If your home were to be made uninhabitable after an accident, disaster, etc, your home policy would pay for you to live somewhere else while it gets fixed. This protects your lifestyle and standard of living. 

Call Us Now

If you need home coverage, don’t wait to call us. Contact us right away at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. in Bloomfield, NJ to find out more about these essential insurance policies.  

Why do people in New Jersey need home insurance?

Those that are in the Bloomfield, NJ area will have many housing options to consider. As you are looking for a new place to live, investing in your future and buying a home can be a great option. As you are looking for a home to buy, you also need to shop for a home insurance plan. A new home insurance policy in New Jersey could be needed for a few reasons. 

Coverage Provides Valued Protection

A reason that you will need to have home insurance here is because of the valued protection it provides. Your home is a major asset that will require you to make a big investment to purchase it. The best way that you can ensure this asset and investment will pay off is by getting the right insurance for it. Your home insurance plan will give the protection needed to cover your home. 

Coverage is Required

You should also get a home insurance plan in this area because it is likely going to be a requirement to carry coverage. A full home insurance plan is typically required by any mortgage provider. To ensure you do not have a coverage lapse, they may also require you to escrow your payments in an account each month. 

Homeownership continues to be a great housing option and goal for people in the Bloomfield, NJ area. As you are assessing your purchase options, you should also call E.S.T.I.R. Inc. to discuss your insurance needs. There are a lot of choices that come with picking a home insurance plan and E.S.T.I.R. Inc. can make the process easier for you. The team here can give you insight into your insurance options, which can help you build a plan that is ideal for your situation. 

How Much Home Insurance Do I Need?

Unfortunately, 3 of 5 Americans with home insurance are underinsured. This means that most people would not receive enough compensation to go back to their normal way of life in the event of a disaster that completely ravages their homes. According to E.S.T.I.R. Inc., you should question whether you have enough insurance before you sit back and have the peace of mind that your home is safe. Here is an insight into how much insurance you need.

The Rising Price of Building Materials and Labor?

Inflation is part and parcel of the world today, and as a result, it would cost you more to build the same home you did 20 years ago, as is the case in Bloomfield, NJ. When getting home insurance, you should consider the rising costs of building materials and labor which means you need more money to build. You need to adjust your policy to also account for this to be able to replace your home.

How Much Personal Stuff Do You Own?

Home insurance compensation is also meant to help you replace the personal stuff that you lost. Thus, you should give an accurate representation of all the personal stuff that you own. E.S.T.I.R. Inc. pointed out that in case you purchase a worthy personal property amid your insurance period, you should talk to your agent or insurer to have your home insurance policy update.

Consider Your Liability and Living Expenses

In some cases, the loss of home results in personal injury and the inability to meet your living expenses. Your home insurance policy is supposed to take care of this, but it might not help much if you are underinsured. This is why you need to consider your liability and living expenses when negotiating your home insurance policy. As a resident of Bloomfield, NJ, you should consider getting liability coverage between $300,000 and $500,000 and at least $40,000 for living expenses.

Do you still have concerns about the cost of home insurance in Bloomfield, NJ? Contact us today for a detailed analysis.

Home Insurance Policies: Your Options

A home is not just a roof over your head; it’s probably the most valuable asset you own. What does that mean? You most likely spent years saving for it. Is it something you can replace out of your pocket if disaster strikes? Of course not.

The risk of losing your Bloomfield, NJ home and not able to buy or build another one is the sole reason you need to contact E.S.T.I.R. Inc. They will help you choose a policy to protect your home.

What Does Home Insurance Do?

A home insurance policy will cover you in the event of the destruction of your home or damage to your personal items. It will also cover costs in case someone else is injured within your home or someone else’s property is destroyed.

Types of Home Insurance

Home insurance is available in various standard types that are worthwhile to know. They include:

HO-3

This is the most common home insurance policy. It covers home damage from almost all causes part from few exemptions such as floods and earthquakes. For personal belongings, HO-3 will cover damage from 16 named perils.

HO-5

This policy covers all causes except those specified by name. HO-5 is an open-perils policy that will only list what the insurance company does not cover. Some common exceptions include:

  • Power failure
  • Collapse
  • War
  • Discharge of pollutants
  • Mechanical breakdown

HO-1 and HO-2

These are less popular policies that cover issues listed in the agreement. Between the two, HO-1 covers even a shorter list of issues than HO-2. Typically, these policies cover the 16 named perils only.

Other types of home insurance policies include:

  • HO-4- Insurance for renters
  • HO-6- Insurance for condominium
  • HO-7- Insurance for mobile homes
  • HO-8- Insurance for older homes

Having home insurance is not a guarantee that your home will be safe from damage. What it does is give you financial backing if the unforeseen occurs.

If you need to purchase home insurance in Bloomfield, NJ you’re lucky to have agents ready to help you out. E.S.T.I.R. Inc. will assist you to choose a policy that best suits your needs. Get in touch today for more information. 

What Is and Isn’t Covered by Home Insurance

Home insurance isn’t “one size fits all.” Policies vary to suit your individual needs. Most policies offer dwelling, property, and liability protection to protect your home structure, possessions, and personal assets against accidents on your property. By reviewing your home coverage with your E.S.T.I.R. Inc. agent, you’ll have a better idea of what is and isn’t included in your policy.

What Standard Home Insurance Covers in Bloomfield, NJ

Standard home policies offer the following coverage:

  • Dwelling – to protect your Bloomfield NJ home and attached structures  such as a garage
  • Additional Structures Coverage – to protect structures not attached to your home such as a fence or utility shed
  • Property – to protect your belongings  
  • Liability – to protect you against accidents that occur on your property

You decide the scope and amount of coverage you want to protect your investments. By assessing the value of your home and goods, you’ll have a better idea of how much coverage to choose to fully protect your assets.

Keep in mind that standard policies have limits on property coverage. If you own high-end goods, such as posh jewelry or original artwork, you may need to purchase additional coverage to fully protect these costly items.

Standard home insurance generally covers theft and damage caused by fire, vandalism, and certain natural disasters like severe storms, hail, lightning strikes, hurricanes, and tornadoes.

What’s NOT Covered by Home Policies

If you run a business from your home, your business equipment and inventory (if stored in your home or garage) is generally not covered by your home policy.

Home insurance also doesn’t cover earthquake or flood damage to your home or belongings. You can, however, purchase separate insurance for these disasters.

To learn more about home insurance, contact E.S.T.I.R. Inc., serving residents in Bloomfield, NJ, and surrounding communities.

Do I need home insurance when my mortgage is paid off

Owning a home is what most Amerian strive for. You get approved for a mortgage and then chose your home insurance. Your lender will require that you protect their investment. Unlike car insurance, home insurance is not legally required by the state. Twenty-five or thirty years later you are through with the monthly mortgage payments and you may be wondering if getting rid of the home insurance payment would be a good idea. At E.S.T.I.R. Inc. in Bloomfield, NJ, we are a local Independent agency that has been providing service in the area for 23 years. 

Before you decide to let your home insurance laps it is important to consider the protection that it provides. 

Building protection

If your home is hit by a covered peril, your home insurance will provide the money you need to repair or replace your home. It covers the main building, all the attached structures, and some detached as well. It also covers the systems in your house electric, pumping, and HVAC.  

Contents

All of your personal possession are in your home. Your furniture, your appliances, your Christmas decorations, electronics, your clothes, your jewelry, the contents of your kitchen, your linen closet, and even more. 

Liability

One of the most valuable protections that home insurance offers is liability protection. No one wants to believe they will ever get sued but it is a real possibility. Your home insurance offers a layer of protection against a judgment against you. 

Loss of use

If your home is uninhabitable because of a covered peril you will need somewhere to stay. Your home insurance will help to pay for a place you can call home until your home gets back to normal. 

Home insurance offers a lot of valuable protection and even when your mortgage is paid off it is worth keeping. If you have any questions  E.S.T.I.R. Inc. in Bloomfield, NJ has the answers that you need. Give us a call or stop by our office and let us give you a quote. 

When Should You Review Your Homeowner Policy?

E.S.T.I.R. Inc. serves homeowners in the Bloomfield, NJ area with all of their insurance needs. Agents understand that as time passes, your needs change when it comes to your homeowner’s insurance. A home remodel or significant changes to your property outside your home may require you to review your policy so that you are sure you have the coverage you need to protect your financial investment.

Renovations, Remodels, and Upgrades

Instead of looking for a new home, many homeowners are choosing to keep their current home and make renovations or upgrades. Adding an additional room or two is also a possibility. These types of changes can significantly increase the value of your home making your old insurance policy sorely inadequate. Even small upgrades such as the installation of smart appliances and a well-planned security system may have a dramatic impact. It is extremely important that you notify your insurance agent so you can upgrade your policy to match your home’s value.

Exterior Changes, Such as Landscaping, Swimming Pools, Fences, and Sheds

The addition of a swimming pool, privacy fences, sheds, and expensive landscaping/lighting systems can also increase the value of your home. Notifying your insurance agent is essential if you want your new items to be fully covered. The opposite is also true. If you remove any buildings or get rid of a swimming pool or landscaping, this may reduce the value of your property.

If you are thinking about or have already completed any substantial home improvements call the agents of E.S.T.I.R. Inc. today and have them go over your policy with you. The agents offer policy reviews to all of their clients who live in the Bloomfield, NJ and surrounding areas. Visit today and make sure you have the coverage you need.