You may think your seasonal home is covered under your primary home’s insurance policy, but this and other questions are very important to discuss with your insurance agency.
“Considering specialized coverage for your seasonal home is a smart way to go,” says Foremost Insurance Group Senior Product Manager Jim Gontjes. “Your agent or broker will be able to let you know what coverages are available, but it’s a good idea to bring along some questions so you’re prepared.”
Here are questions Foremost® suggests you ask about when deciding on coverage for your seasonal home.
- Is a full-packaged homeowner’s policy my only option or are there other options for covering my seasonal home?
“You may choose a full-packaged homeowner’s policy, but there are other options, too,” explains Gontjes. “A homeowner’s policy typically includes Other Structures and Additional Living Expenses coverage. Some people don’t believe these coverages are necessary for their seasonal home so may prefer a Dwelling Fire policy that they can tailor for their specific situation.” - Am I required to insure both my primary home and my seasonal home with the same company?
“Some companies require that you insure both your primary home and seasonal home with them in order to provide coverage on the seasonal home, but you don’t have to in all situations,” Gontjes says. “In fact, some companies may have strict underwriting criteria that won’t allow the seasonal to be written with the same company. Talk to your agent or broker to see what your options are, especially if you are looking for a standalone policy.” - Why won’t some insurance companies provide coverage for my seasonal home?
“There are several reasons you may not be eligible for coverage,” answers Gontjes. “Some include: the value of the home is too low, too many losses, the seasonal home is located in a different state than the primary home, the location of the seasonal home is not easily accessible by a fire department or the house is rented out to others. Shop around – there are companies who accept properties in these categories.” - What optional coverages are available?
“Many people want the flexibility to customize their coverage and having optional coverages available helps you do this,” adds Gontjes. “You may want to consider Replacement Cost coverage on your dwelling and personal property, watercraft coverage, golf cart coverage or high liability limits. See if these are options for you.” - What happens if I don’t notice a loss right away?
“Since you’re only in your seasonal home part of the year, you may be away for several months without setting foot in the house,” says Gontjes. “This means problems could spring up without you being aware and you’ll want to know how claims are handled.”
Stay safe through all seasons. Your safety is number one to us. For peace of mind in your seasonal home, contact a Foremost agency to talk about a seasonal home insurance policy.
