Having a home insurance policy is the first step in protecting a home. The next step is customizing your policy to provide you with full protection. That can be done by adding insurance policy riders, sometimes referred to as endorsements, onto your policy.
Jewelry
Most homeowners' policies only cover a very small amount of jewelry. This is just fine if you only have a few pieces that don't add up to much in value. However, if you have some expensive jewelry worth thousands of dollars, like a really nice wedding ring, you will want to get a jewelry rider. Many jewelry riders protect against more than theft. They can also protect against mysterious disappearances and damage as well, such as if a gem falls out of the piece. Be sure to read the details of your jewelry rider carefully to ensure that you understand all of the details.
Keep in mind that you can secure a discount on a jewelry rider if the jewelry is regularly stored in a safety deposit box or a fire safe box; this works best for pieces you don't wear that often, like a family heirloom that you only wear a few times a year.
Artwork
If you own artwork worth thousands of dollars, you will want to get a rider for it. Artwork and antique riders tend to be affordable. The thing with art and antiques is that they are generally unique pieces, so they can't be replaced over time. An insurance policy, in that instance, would only cover their actual cash value. As the value of artwork and antiques can change and even increase over time, unlike other items, you are going to want to ensure that you have certificates of authenticity and evaluations of the value of these items so that if they are lost, damaged, or stolen, you will be fully compensated for them.
Building Code Coverage
Another smart rider to get is building code coverage. This is especially true as your home ages. With your insurance, if your home is damaged, your insurance will pay to bring your home's structure back to its original state. However, its original state may be outdated with the current building code. With building code coverage, your insurance will cover bringing your structure back to its original state and up to current building code standards. You will not have to cover the bill for getting your repairs up to building code standards.
Identify Theft Restoration Coverage
In the digital age, identity theft has become prevalent. With identify theft restoration coverage, if your identity is stolen, your insurance will help page for legal fees, lost wages, and other costs associated with getting your identity back and restoring your name and credit, which can be a lengthy and involved process.
There are numerous insurance riders you can add to your homeowner's insurance policy. These are just a few to get you started. Work with an insurance agency such as Colston Insurance Agency to come up with a customized policy today.
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