Does Home Insurance Cover Plumbing Repairs?

Plumbing is easy to take for granted, but few people would want to live without it. It’s important to know if your insurance covers these crucial pipes and fixtures and understand what exceptions apply. So, does home insurance cover plumbing repairs in your Houston, TX home?

What’s Covered?

A homeowners’ policy generally covers this type of repair under the right circumstances, such as when extreme temperatures cause water pipes to freeze and burst. The same goes for vandalism and theft. While they’re unlikely to steal faucets or PVC pipes, criminals could target your home’s metal plumbing in an effort to obtain valuable copper.

Home insurance also typically covers damage inflicted by house fires, wildfires, strong winds, and tornadoes. However, there are several exceptions. For example, it won’t fix plumbing problems caused by insufficient maintenance, pests, earthquakes, or river flooding. If you want to insure your home against external floods or earthquakes, you can obtain separate policies that cover these natural disasters.

Water Damage

If your plumbing needs repair, water damage to flooring, carpeting, ceilings, walls, or other items could also occur. Home insurance normally covers the necessary repairs if a large amount of water leakage suddenly triggers this damage. On the other hand, it probably won’t fix damage associated with a slow leak in a pipe or fixture.

Texas homeowners can protect their residences with home, condo, flood, and other insurance policies from Heydari Financial Group. Our independent agency has nearly 30 years of experience. The friendly staff at our Houston, TX, office will take the time to honestly answer all of your insurance questions and help you find the ideal coverage for your home. Don’t hesitate to contact Heydari Financial Group at 713-953-0404 to learn more.

End-of-Summer Home Preparedness Tips

As mid-summer turns the corner and heads towards shorter days and cooler temperatures, it’s a great time to prepare your home for the changing weather conditions brought by the approach of the fall and winter seasons. For those who live in the Houston, TX area, the Heydari Financial Group offers these end-of-summer home preparedness tips:

Perform Routine HVAC Maintenance

In addition to changing the HVAC’s air filters, it is essential to have the HVAC system professionally inspected. This ensures it’s ready to keep your family warm during the upcoming cooler months.

Inspect the Roof & Clean/Maintain Gutters

Before autumn rains hit, check for damaged/missing roof shingles. Clear debris and fallen leaves from the home’s gutters to prevent drainage clogs.  

Check the Windows, Doors & Exterior Foundation

Make sure the doors and windows have a proper seal, which may require that you replace worn weatherstripping. Also, inspect the exterior’s foundation for cracks that need sealing to prevent heat from escaping needlessly.

Test Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Detectors

In addition to replacing batteries, test each device to ensure it works correctly.

Trim Trees & Shrubs

Trimming exterior bushes/trees helps prevent potential damage to your home during strong autumn storms.

Inspect and clean the Dryer Vent.

A dry vent clogged with lint can become a fire hazard. Keeping the vent clean allows the machine to function more efficiently.

By completing the above suggestions, you’ll be significantly better prepared for the changing weather patterns and ready for emergencies.  

Review Your Home Insurance with a Licensed Professional at the Heydari Financial Group

If you live in the greater Houston, TX area, and would like information on how a home insurance policy can help protect your family, home, and other assets, contact the insurance professionals at Heydari Financial Group at 713-953-0404 and online.

Tips to prepare your house for a storm

As the storm season rapidly approaches here in the Houston, TX area, it’s important to take the necessary steps to prepare your home for a storm. Storms can bring high winds, heavy rains, lightning, and floods – all of which can cause significant damage and destruction to your property. To help you prepare for the worst, here are some tips from us at Heydari Financial Group you should consider:

  1. Secure all outdoor furniture and decorations. High winds can easily blow away or destroy items that are not adequately secured. Secure patio furniture, beach umbrellas, potted plants, and other outdoor items inside or in a safe location outside your home. 
  2. Clear your gutters and drains of debris. Clogged gutters and drains can lead to flooding during heavy rainstorms, so ensure they are clear before the weather turns bad. 
  3. Trim trees & shrubs around your home’s exterior. Loose branches could become projectiles in strong winds, so trim them before a storm hits your area. 
  4. Check the structural integrity of your roof & windows. Check for any loose shingles or cracks around windows or doors that could allow water into your home when a storm happens. If there is any damage, contact a professional promptly to get it fixed before the worse occurs! 
  5. Prepare an emergency kit with supplies such as food, water, flashlights & batteries, cash/credit cards, etc. It’s always best to be prepared for anything, so make sure to have an emergency kit ready with all the essential items you might need in case of an emergency situation that arises from inclement weather conditions. 

For more tips, give us at Heydari Financial Group a call today. We serve the Houston, TX area.

How does home insurance work in shared living arrangements?

Sharing Space Takes More Than a Handshake

Inviting a friend to be your roommate or sharing the expenses with someone to keep the stresses of today’s economy a bit lower can be exciting. When your relationship progresses to a certain point, you might also want to live with your partner and share your home together. One important consideration that’s worth discussing upfront is how personal property, your home, and liability, among other areas, are covered by your home insurance. At Heydari Financial Group in Houston, TX, we’re here to help with insurance for your choices in life.

Defining What’s Covered by Your Home Insurance is Important

With home insurance, the premium is calculated based on what’s being covered, so that needs to be well-defined. In most cases in Texas, insurance companies expect to cover a limited range of people in your home, including blood relatives, married partners, adopted family members, and not much more. Spontaneous arrangements and written agreements about living together don’t change that; you have to take action and contact Heydari Financial Group, your insurance agent in Houston, TX, to make coverage official. We’ll ensure that insurance protects you and your partner, friend, or tenant as it should.

Protect Yourself Wisely When Sharing Space

Well-defined coverage applies when renting the property instead of owning it. In Texas, each roommate should have their own insurance, protecting them against losses and liabilities. Whenever you’re in a shared living arrangement, it’s essential to check with our insurance specialists and make sure everyone is adequately covered and protected. It provides you with peace of mind and can even help ensure that your relationship, friendship, or other connection stays solid without controversy.

Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover Power Outages?

As a homeowner, you’re likely to encounter power outages at your place of residence. When left unchecked, the problem can lead to expensive bills, spoiled foods, or a lack of heating and electricity. It can also result in severe loss of income, especially if your career depends on remote work. At Heydari Financial Group, we’re interested in providing Texas residents with a wide range of insurance-related services. That includes financial coverage for specific scenarios, like property damage from a power outage. 

Heydari Financial Group’s Homeowner’s Insurance

Our agency’s clients have access to a thorough insurance package that protects their possessions and financial assets. Our homeowner’s insurance includes dwelling coverage to pay for structural damage, additional structural coverage for detached properties, property coverage for belongings within the home, and liability coverage for accidental injuries.

However, there may be some scenarios that the homeowner’s insurance plan won’t cover. You might not be reimbursed if the power outage happened because of intentional damage by a resident from within the home. If the power outage were caused by a weather-related disaster, like a hailstorm or a lightning strike, your homeowner’s insurance would likely pay for the damage. If a visitor experiences a personal injury or a power outage in your home, then that would be covered under our liability insurance protection. 

Getting Homeowner’s Insurance in Houston, TX

To better understand our homeowner’s insurance package and what it offers, contact the Heydari Financial Group by phone or visit our office. You can also email the group or contact us through social media. Our agents would be happy to walk you through the homeowner’s insurance processd.

Guide to Filing a Home Insurance Claim

There are few insurance policies more important than your homeowner’s insurance policy because it protects what is likely your most expensive asset in property damage, theft, or other covered perils. If your home is damaged, you’ll want to first browse through the specifics of your policy to verify that the damage is going to be covered by the insurance company. This will also give you an opportunity to verify your deductible – what you’ll have to pay before the insurance company chips in – and how your payout is calculated. Once you have confirmed that the incident is covered, file a claim as soon as possible with your home insurance company. 

When you contact your home insurance company after filing a claim, you’ll speak with a claim professional that can verify your loss is covered by the policy and a ballpark estimate for the loss amount, along with answering your questions on how long the process will take and whether an estimate to repair the damage will be required. You’ll also be asked to fill out claim documents such as a proof-of-loss form that outlines what occurred, what you are claiming a loss on, and the estimated cost. When it comes to filing a claim, a few things are more important than documentation, so be sure that you take lots of photos, save any receipts, and do everything possible to preserve all proof of the loss you are claiming. Depending on the severity of the claim, an insurance adjuster may visit your home to assess the damage and confirm key details before reimbursement occurs. Once your claim is approved, the adjuster will send you an insurance payout that can be used for repairs or replacement. 

At Heydari Financial Group in Houston, TX, we are happy to support our customers through the claims process. Give us a call today to learn more. 

 

Do I Need Homeowners Insurance If I Rent Out My Home?

As a homeowner, you probably already have a homeowners insurance policy to protect your investment. However, basic homeowners policies do not cover all damages, especially those incurred while the home was rented out to someone else. Depending on how long the Houston, TX home is rented for and the situation, there may be some exceptions. Our experienced agents at Heydari Financial Group can advise you on what insurance you need while renting your home. 

Short-Term Rentals

If renting out your home is only short-term, such as a week or for a few weekends, your homeowners insurance needs may vary. The insurance company takes into consideration the length of time and specific circumstances the home is rented. Some insurance companies allow short-term rental and provide coverage if they have been notified in advance and the same tenant is renting the house. Other companies require short-term tenants to be added as a rider to your existing homeowners policy.

If you plan to have multiple tenants rent your home for short periods, the insurance company considers this a business and will not cover your property. For these home rentals, you need a business insurance policy, such as a hotel or bed and breakfast policy. 

Long-Term Rentals

A second home is a popular investment strategy, and many rent out their second homes. Renting out a second home as a source of income requires you to carry business insurance, such as landlord or rental dwelling policies. Your insurance agent will discuss risks with you and how long the home will be rented. This information helps determine what types of insurance policies are needed and how much coverage is required. 

Rental Insurance

Your business insurance policy covers the house’s structure and not your tenant’s belongings when renting out your home. However, some landlords require tenants to carry renters insurance to cover their possessions and any damage they may incur on your property. 

When renting out your Houston, TX home, call the experts at Heydari Financial Group for help purchasing the best insurance available for your needs. 

Home Insurance: Basic Terms to Know

Are you considering purchasing home insurance? This being your first time, the insurance jargon can be a bit confusing. But do not worry, Heydari Financial Group is here to help the people of Houston, TX. We’ll highlight key home insurance terms that you need to know.

These terms will help you understand different home insurance coverages and how they can help you when it matters most.

Actual Value

The actual value is the average value of your home plus personal belongings before the loss occurred. In short, it is the amount you need to replace your property after deducting the depreciation value. Depreciation refers to the value lost due to age and wear since purchasing the home.

H05 Policy

H05 is one of the main coverages under home insurance. It’s meant for homeowners who want high limit coverage to get the most protection of their property. You’re guaranteed compensation if you suffer personal property damage, except when the specific cause of loss is exempted from your policy. 

The term used to describe risks in home insurance is “peril.” Perils could include hurricanes, fires, water damage, among others.

H03 Policy

H03 policy is coverage for homeowners who need basic protection of their property. For your claim to be valid under an H03 policy, you must prove that the loss happened due to one of the “named perils.” Any cause of loss that is not included in the policy will not count for a valid claim.

In most cases, the H03 policy protects the home structure only. For personal belongings such as computers and furniture, they are only covered if they’re included in the named perils of an H03 policy.

Additional Living Expense

ALE is coverage under the homeowner’s insurance that protects the policyholder during the time they are temporarily displaced from their home. Most of the time, this coverage is a small fraction of the property insurance. 

Ready to Purchase Home Insurance?

Now that you understand these key terms, you’ve made your first step towards buying home insurance. But there are more home insurance terms you still need to learn. Luckily, you have us.

Heydari Financial Group offers home insurance advice to residents of Houston, TX. Call us today for immediate assistance. 

Why should I get home insurance in Texas?

In the Houston, TX area, people are continuing to notice a quick growth in the local economy. Due to this, owning a home in the Houston area can be a great option. If you do decide to purchase a home here, you will want to make sure that you get a proper home insurance policy. There are many reasons that you should get a home insurance policy when you own a property in this area of Texas.

Insurance Provides Valued Coverage

The main reason to get a home insurance policy is that it can provide you with very valuable protection. Someone that is a property owner will want to make sure that their dwelling is covered. With home insurance, you can receive coverage to repair or replace your property or even your personal belongings. Additionally, the home insurance policy will include a component of liability insurance that will be very helpful if you are ever sued following an accident.

Insurance is Required

Additionally, the majority of people that own a home in Texas will have some obligation to carry home insurance at all times. If you do get home insurance, it can ensure that you stay in compliance with regulations that are set forth by a mortgage lender or a home association. This could help you to stay in good standing and avoid penalization.

Anyone that wants to own a home in the Houston, TX area needs to spend time also considering their home insurance needs. If you are shopping for insurance here, you should call the team at Heydari Financial Group. There are a lot of factors that need to be considered when shopping for this insurance. The team at Heydari Financial Group can answer your questions and ensure you get into a quality policy. 

What Are The Types Of Homeowners Insurance Policies?

The agents of the Heydari Financial Group in Houston, TX specialize in homeowner insurance. You will be guided to purchase a policy that will meet your needs. Homeowners insurance is essential.  A  homeowners policy will save you money and enhance your awareness to protect your home.  Homeowners insurance is not required by law, but a mortgage company will need a mortgage to protect its financial interest in the home. 

Homeowners policies have been standardized by the Insurance Office, Inc. and the American Association of Insurance Services. These organizations developed eight homeowners policies referred to as HO-1 through HO-8.

A.  HO-1 is an owner-occupied standalone home that covers ten perils such as Fire or lightning, Hail or windstorms, Explosions, Riots or civil commotion, Damage from aircraft, Damage from vehicles, Smoke, Malicious mischief or vandalism, Theft, and Volcanic Eruptions.

B.  HO-2 Is a “basic form” homeowners insurance policy providing coverage on a “named peril” basis that is specifically listed in the policy. 

C. HO-3 – Is a “broad form” homeowners insurance policy covering the structure of a home against all losses except expressly excluded losses on an “open-peril” basis. “  while personal property is covered on a “named peril” basis. 

D.  HO-4 – Is a renters insurance policy which covers renters liability and personal property.

E,  HO-5 – Is a “comprehensive form” policy covering the home and personal property on an “open-peril” basis. This comprehensive coverage is not a typical homeowners policy like an HO-2 or HO-3 policy.

F.  HO-6 –  Is a condo insurance policy covering personal property and the structure of the condo from the wall studs in.

G.  HO-7 — Is insurance coverage is for a mobile or manufactured home form similar to an HO-3. 

H.  HO-8 — Is coverage for an older home similar to an HO-3.

The agents of the Heydari Financial Group in Houston, TX will advise you of the proper homeowner’s insurance form. Please call for an appointment!