Best Homeowners Insurance Agencies in Lakewood

FAQs

• Introduction

  Homeowners' insurance is a type of property insurance used by private property owners to protect their home and property from a range of risks and liabilities. It is also called home insurance.
  

  
  

  All homeowners' insurance policies cover the primary home on a property, meaning that most damage from weather, accidents, vandalism, and other events will be at least partially paid for by the insurance company. Many policies also include coverage for other structures, personal property, and some premises liability.

  
  

  It is not required by law that a homeowner purchases insurance for their property. However, if you have a mortgage, the lender will usually make purchasing a homeowners' policy a mandatory part of the loan process. Since the mortgage lender is essentially selling you the home, they require you to protect the investment.
  

• How much is the price of standard homeowners' insurance in Lakewood?

  If you're a homeowner in Lakewood or anywhere else in Colorado, you can expect to pay an average of $2,152 per year for home insurance. This is significantly more than the national average of $1,428 and attributed to the area's volatile weather, which causes a combination of several of the state's most serious natural hazards, such as flash floods, wildfires, avalanches, tornadoes, lightning, and hail.

• Do homeowners' insurance policies include coverage for theft in Lakewood?

  Yes. Standard homeowners' and renters' insurance policies provide coverage for stolen items in Lakewood, although there are certain limits specified within your policy. Be mindful that jewelry, antiques, and art often have particular dollar limits, which may be significantly lower than their actual monetary value. You may want to look into purchasing additional coverage for these items if you have them in your home.

• Is homeowners' insurance required by law in Lakewood?

  No. In Lakewood and throughout Colorado, homeowners are not required by law to carry insurance to cover their home or their property from losses due to a storm or other hazard. Although, if there is a mortgage on the property, the lender will require insurance to protect the amount of money owed on the loan. While Colorado laws do not mandate this insurance, having it will provide peace of mind, as your investment will be protected.

• Is it acceptable to renovate one's home in Lakewood while still keeping the same homeowners' insurance policy?

  Yes. However, it is crucial to check that your home insurance policy is up to date with the rising value of your property in Lakewood. Do not let your coverage level fall short of your home's new and updated value. In addition, review your current policy before starting any home improvement projects. This ensures that you have the appropriate coverage before work begins. Having liability and damage coverage from the start can help alleviate stress and safeguard your family against any potential damages.

• Do homeowners' insurance policies require the customer to rebuild their home on the same property if it is completely destroyed in a wildfire in Lakewood?

  No. A law passed in June 2022 states that homeowners' insurance policyholders have the right to decide between rebuilding in a new location or buying an existing structure in the event of a total loss. If the policyholder chooses to relocate, the insurance provider must still reimburse the full loss amount. Moreover, they can replace their owner-occupied home at their current Lakewood address or a different location. When replacing the home, the cost should exclude the land value. Alternatively, clients can use the policy's proceeds to purchase a new residence without considering the land's value.

• What determines the price of homeowners insurance premium?

  The premium, or monthly cost, of your homeowners' insurance policy depends on several factors, including the value of your home and amount of coverage you choose. Your credit history and whether the property is in a higher risk area also play a role.
  

• What is the difference between home warranty and homeowners insurance?

  Homeowners' insurance protects your home and property from damage from events that include storms, theft, and fires. A home warranty covers repair costs for parts of your home that eventually breaks down. For example, if a fallen tree damages your roof, it's typically covered by insurance, not the warranty.
  

• Does Geico offer homeowners insurance?

  Because auto insurance is Geico's focus and where they invest the most in advertising, many people know the company only as a car insurance provider. On the contrary, Geico does offer a range homeowners' insurance policies that cover dwellings, personal property, and personal liability, among other provisions.
  

• How long does homeowners warranty insurance last?

  Home warranties vary based on the provider of the coverage, but most home warranties last for one year. Once they run out, homeowners have the option of renewing the warranty or letting it lapse. If a covered item breaks down after the warranty period is over, repair costs won't be reimbursed.
  

• Does homeowners insurance cover water heaters?

  Homeowners' insurance doesn't cover water heaters when they break down from normal wear and tear. An insurance policy may cover water damage to your home and property if it malfunctions, and if the water heater is damaged by a fire or an accident, home insurance may provide the costs to replace it.
  

• Are RVs covered under homeowners insurance?

  Usually, an RV is covered under your homeowners' insurance, but that coverage will probably be subject to several exceptions and contingencies. For example, if you want to drive your RV, you'll either need car insurance or specialized RV insurance since the risks you'll face on the road do not fall under a homeowner's policy.

• Do new buyers need owner\'s title insurance on a new home?

  There are unique risks that a buyer of a new home may face. For example, property claims from previous owners or liens from suppliers whom the homebuilders never paid during construction. Title insurance protects the home from these perils, and your mortgage lender may require it.
  

• Do owner builders need home warranty insurance?

  In the United States, owner builders are not required to have home warranty insurance. If you're the one who built your home, you're expected to incur the costs of repairs yourself if a structure or appliance breaks down.
  

• Are dogs deaths covered in homeowners insurance?

  Usually, the loss of a dog or other pet is not covered by your home insurance. However, many insurance providers offer riders — packages of added coverage — for pets called pet insurance. This ensures that medical costs and property damage caused by your pets are fully covered.
  

• Are earthquakes covered in standard homeowners insurance policies?

  Standard homeowners' insurance policies do not cover damage directly caused by earthquakes. Insurance will sometimes cover indirect damage, however. For example, if an earthquake causes a fire in your home, damage from the fire will be covered under a standard home insurance policy.
  

• Are homeowners insurance and car insurance deductible?

  Homeowners' insurance and car insurance premiums are not deductible as personal expenses on your taxes. However, some percentage of your premiums may be deductible as business expenses if you own a business and use your car and home for business purposes. This may vary between states.
  

• Are homeowners insurance payouts taxable income?

  If you file a claim after a burglary at your home, for example, the insurance company will assess the value of the property lost or damaged and reimburse that amount. This payout is not taxable because it's not income — it's a replacement of lost value.

• How frequent should one change auto or homeowners insurance to another provider?  

  If you find home and auto insurance policies that you're happy with, you may never want to switch. However, various providers offer different combinations of coverage and price, so you may want to assess all your options every few years.
  

• What should a homeowners insurance include/cover?

  A homeowners' insurance policy should cover the dwelling, personal property inside and some outside, other structures on the property, and liability. For example, it should cover medical bills if a guest sustains an injury. Not all of these coverages are included in every policy.
  

• How much homeowners insurance should someone carry?

  How much insurance you need depends on the size of your home, its age, and other unique factors. Standard insurance policies cover around 70% of the total value of your home and additional covered property. Most policies that offer premises liability include $100,000 in liability coverage.