This is the time of year when many families think about moving. When you buy a new home, you’ll have to show proof of your homeowners insurance. That means you’ll need to start shopping around for coverage as soon as your offer is accepted. The Gill Agencies want to make this process as smooth as possible for our clients in the Rock Hill and Fort Mill, SC area. Here are three things we suggest doing as you prepare to sign on the dotted line.
- Know the facts and figures about your new home. What is the square footage? When was the home built and what materials were used? What is the condition of the home and any additions, such as garages, decks, or patios? All of these things affect your rates.
- Have an inventory of your personal property. You don’t have to account for every sweater that’s hanging in your closet, but you need to have a general idea of the value of your home’s contents. Make special note of expensive items like jewelry, artwork, electronics, or collectibles. These may require special endorsements to your policy.
- Ask about flood insurance. If you’re buying a home on or near the lake, river, or beach, you’ll probably be required to purchase flood insurance. But homeowners near creeks or streams can also benefit from this coverage. FEMA’s website has lots of good information about flooding and flood insurance.
With a hot real estate market, most home sales are closing within a month or less. That leaves you little time to find the best homeowners insurance rates. Why not leave the work to your insurance agent? At the Gill Agencies, we work with a variety of insurance providers in the Trusted Choice network. Call Gill Insurance in Rock Hill or Gill-Holler Insurance in Fort Mill to get started on your homeowners insurance quote.