4 Things to Tell a Home Insurance Agent Before They Offer You a Quote
One of the most crucial steps of preparing to close on a house you are buying is purchasing homeowner's insurance. You cannot close on the deal without it, and you need it for protection of the investment you are buying. To get a homeowner's insurance policy, you may want to call around for quotes before choosing the policy that is right for you, and you will need to supply some information to the agent in order to get a quote.
The address of the house
To correctly identify which house it is that you are buying and needing insurance for, the agent will ask you for the property address. Not only will this tell the agent the exact house that you are insuring, but it will also tell the agent about the area. Home insurance quotes and costs are based on many things, and one of these things is the area. If the area is really safe, you might pay less than if the area is high in crime. If the area has a record of few claims filed by homeowners, you will likely pay less than if the house was in an area where homeowners are constantly filing a lot of claims.
The details of the house
The details of the house also matter to insurance agents as certain factors increase risks and other factors lower risks. For example, if the home is equipped with a wood-burning stove, this is considered a risk. Wood-burning stoves have the risk of setting fires in homes, and you will pay more for this risk. If the home has a security system, you might pay less, as this decreases risks of break-ins. The agent will want to know a lot of different details about the house you are insuring before offering you a quote.
Your social security number
Next, the agent will want your social security number to identify you. This number identifies who you are and allows the agent to find out your insurance credit score. These factors play a role in your costs as well.
The coverage amounts
Finally, agents ask questions about coverage amounts and needs, so you should be prepared to answer questions about these things. The coverage types you choose and the amounts of coverage will help the agent assemble a quote for your insurance coverage.
Providing these details to an agent will give the agent everything he or she needs to provide you with a quote for homeowner's insurance coverage. Learn more about this topic by contacting local homeowners insurance providers.