As an independent insurance agency, we have access to many insurance carriers. However, your homeowners insurance options become more scarce if the following “red flags” are a oncern.
Age of Home
If a house is 30 years of age or older and has not had any updates, it may be difficult to insure. In this scenario, insurance companies are concerned about the age and condition of the following items: the roof, the electrical, the plumbing and the heating and cooling system.
Roof
As mentioned above, the condition of the roof is a primary concern for homeowners insurance companies.
Age of Roof: Roofs over 15 years of age catch the attention of insurers and may make them wary when it comes to insuring the property.
Damaged or Flat Roofs: Flat roofs are a concern for homeowners insurance companies because they are susceptible to leaks due to the fact that flat roofs allow for water to remain stagnant on the surface. In addition to standing water being a concern, most flat roofs are also made with less superior materials, such as tar and gravel, which are less sufficient than shingles.
Structural Concerns
Open Foundations: Open foundations allow critters to have easy access to wiring, which is often chewed and damaged, thus creating a potential fire hazard.
Structural damage: Any history of prior structural damage concerns insurance companies and may deter them from insuring the property.
Pools
Pools without fences or screened enclosures: Insurance companies are concerned small children may wander into unprotected pools and potentially drowning.
Pools with diving boards and/or slides: Pools with slides and/or diving boards concern insurance companies due to the higher risk of injury and potential for death.
Location
Homes on over 5 acres of land: Home insurance companies like to know that your house is not secluded. For instance, if a fire occurs while you are not home and your property is not within eyesight of another homeowner, your house may be completely destroyed before the fire department arrives.
Homes over 5 miles from a fire station. Homes over 1000 feet from a fire hydrant: A home’s proximity to a fire station and fire hydrant is also a concern to many insurance companies. The further away your home is from a fire station, the longer it will take for firefighters to arrive – it’s just that simple. Additionally, if there is not access to a sufficient supply of water near by, fighting the fire will be more difficult. If a fire hydrant is not in close proximity, some insurance companies are willing to consider other means of water supplies, i.e. a lake, etc.
History
Homes with prior insurance claims: If it is documented that there was a prior claim filed for the property, insurance companies may be hesitant to provide insurance.
Insured’s with prior insurance claims: If you have prior claims, especially an extensive amount, an insurance company may view you as a potential risk to insure and either increase your premium or deny coverage all together.