Category: Home Insurance

Your home is your safe haven, and at Blevins Insurance Agency in Lafayette, IN, we want to make sure that insurance is not something you have to worry about when it comes to safety. We make sure your coverage fits your home and life and that you know the things that can make your home safer today and into the future. 

Tips for making your home safer

Add a home security system

Home security has never been more affordable than it is today. Many simple and inexpensive home security systems require no installation, and you are able to monitor your home when you are away on your smartphone. From a simple camera doorbell to window and door alarms, you can add as much or as little as you need to feel safe. 

Be prepared for a fire

Do a periodic check of your smoke alarms to make sure they are working and that the battery backup is as well. Clean your furnace and chimney yearly to stay ahead of the game. Have a fire extinguisher that is easy to access if the need arises. 

Have an escape plan

It is important to have an emergency escape plan. The entire family needs to know exactly where they should gather in the event of an emergency or how they should escape their room if an emergency arises. You also need an evacuation route and maybe even two that you can choose from depending on what the emergency is. 

Get a generator

A generator allows you to have water, heat, and electricity in the event that the power goes out. It can make all the difference when it is cold or hot outdoors to keep you safe. 

Call Today To Discuss Your Options

Reach out to our office on the phone or in person. At Blevins Insurance Agency in Lafayette, IN, we are here for you. 

At Blevins Insurance Agency in Lafayette, IN, we help homeowners with one or more properties find the right home insurance policy for them. If you have a vacation home in our area, you should consider how you’ll protect that home against liability, theft, and more. Without the right home insurance coverage, your vacation home could be at risk for a range of issues that could cost you financially and emotionally.

For peace of mind, we encourage homeowners to review their home insurance options as soon as possible. For a secondary residence, a homeowner’s insurance policy may not be the right fit. Still, that doesn’t mean we can’t find an insurance policy that could appropriately provide coverage for the vacation home and make you feel more secure about your home away from home.

Does Home Insurance Cover a Vacation Home?

While every policy has limits and conditions that you’ll want to review about the specific policy, most homeowner’s insurance policies will not insure a second home if you already have another property listed as the primary residence. Although this can be disappointing, the good news is that there are insurance policies that are specifically designed to cover the needs of vacation homeowners.

For a vacation home, you might be able to get second home insurance. Second home insurance policies tend to have terms and limits that understand that vacation homes face challenges from being unoccupied for most of the time that primary residences don’t experience as often. If you rent out your vacation home, you may need another type of policy like secondary dwelling and rental insurance to protect yourself as a landlord.

Contact Us Today

To learn more about all the home insurance policies we offer, call Blevins Insurance Agency in Lafayette, IN today!

Here at Blevins Insurance Agency, we are pleased to provide home insurance in the greater Lafayette, IN area. One of the questions that we have seen repeatedly asked by homeowners is whether home insurance will cover damage that is caused by pests. If pests have damaged your home, you may be looking for the answer to this question. 

Will Your Home Insurance Policy Cover Damage Caused By Pests?

Preventable Pest Damage

If your home was damaged by what is deemed to be preventable pest damage, the damage will not be covered. Preventable pest damage is essentially damage done by pests that could have been prevented if you had had regular pest control services and taken action to keep the pests out. As such, damage caused by pests such as termites or rodents typically is not covered by your home insurance policy. 

Unpreventable Pest Damage

If your home or the surrounding structures were covered by unpreventable pest damage, then your home insurance policy will cover the damage. Unpreventable pest damage is usually done by large pests or wild animals that you have no control over. For example, if a deer runs into your fence and breaks your fence or if a bear destroys the siding on your home, that would be covered under unpreventable pest damage. 

Reach Out To Us

Your home insurance will cover damage to your home or other covered structures, such as fences, sheds, and garages if the damage was caused by what is deemed to be unpreventable pest damage. Having the right insurance is key to ensuring you are fully covered if the unexpected happens. If you are in the market for a new insurance policy, reach out to Blevins Insurance Agency, serving the greater Lafayette, IN area, to get started. 

Winter is here in Lafayette, IN, and the snow, ice, and cold weather can wreak havoc on your home. From roof damage to frozen pipes, winter can cause significant disruption in your home life. That’s why you must ensure that your home is adequately insured for the winter season.

Protecting Your Home in Winter

Check Your Insurance

Before the arrival of winter, it’s essential to review your insurance policy and ensure that you are adequately covered against any potential damages. Look out for clauses such as “Snow Load Coverage,” which may be necessary if you live in an area with heavy snowfall. Additionally, check for coverage on water pipe freezing and emergency services that may be needed in case of a burst pipe or other emergency situation. If you have questions, check with your Blevins Insurance Agency representative.

Prepare Your Home

Once you have ensured that you are fully insured for the season, take proactive steps to prepare your home for any potential damage from winter weather. Clean out gutters and downspouts, so they do not become clogged with leaves or debris, and check roofs and siding for any missing shingles or cracks that can let in moisture or cold air.

Keep Up With HVAC Maintenance

Finally, it’s essential to ensure that all home heating systems function correctly before cold temperatures arrive. Have a professional inspect gas-powered furnaces and electric heaters to ensure safety and efficiency throughout the season. It’s also a good idea to clean the dust off baseboard radiators at least once a year. Hence, they work correctly when needed, especially in winter when temperatures dip below freezing.

Contact Us Today

If you have questions about how best to protect your Lafayette, IN home this winter season or need additional information about insurance policies, contact Blevins Insurance Agency today!

Fall may seem far away as you sit in the heat of summer, but the reality is, that it is just around the corner. As the days start to get shorter, it is time to start thinking about getting your home ready for fall. At Blevins Insurance Agency in Lafayette, IN, we want to make sure that your home insurance is not one of the things that you need to get ready for fall. We take the time to customize our customer’s home insurance to their home and needs. 

Tips for getting your home ready for fall

Clean your gutters

If you don’t have gutter covers, you need to make sure you have clean gutters before the rain and leaves of fall start to fall. Backed-up gutters can cause damage to your roof and exterior walls. Don’t do this job alone, you need a spotter when you are on a ladder. Even better, hire a professional to clean your gutters. 

Do furnace maintenance

It’s time to get your HVAC maintenance done. Your furnace needs to be clean to work efficiently and it is time to make sure your AC is ready to be closed down for the winter. 

Get your chimney cleaned

If you have a fireplace that you use, a yearly chimney cleaning is recommended. It doesn’t matter if it is wood or gas, fireplaces and chimneys should be inspected and cleaned yearly. 

Get your fall tools ready

Whether you like to use a rake, a leaf blower, or a mower that picks up leaves, it is time to make sure everything is charged and ready to go. 

Put away the summer furniture and toys

As the weather gets colder, it is time to put your summer outdoor furniture away and put the cover on your grill.  Take in your hoses and turn off the outdoor faucets. 

Contact Blevins Insurance Agency in Lafayette, IN when you want to discuss your home insurance. 

If you need home insurance, Blevins Insurance Agency is here to help! Having the proper homeowner’s policy is an integral part of responsible homeownership. We can help you find the policy that’s right for you. The Lafayette, IN community can count on us!

Protect your home with a comprehensive homeowner’s policy

When you find the home of your dreams, it only makes sense to have adequate protection in place. A robust insurance policy is an effective way to ensure that your home and your belongings will be covered in a catastrophe.

We also advise all of our clients to review their policies regularly. As your home value increases, so too will your insurance needs. This is especially true if you make any substantial changes or upgrades to your home. We can help you ensure that you have the right coverage in place. When it comes to insurance, you always want to have the right coverage ready to go well before you need it!

A home is likely to be the most significant investment a person will make in their lifetime. It only makes sense to have a comprehensive policy to protect it! Review your policy today for completeness and ensure you have the coverage you need.

We are here to help you with all of your insurance needs

Blevins Insurance Agency is here to help the greater Lafayette, IN community with all of its insurance needs. If you wonder if your current homeowner’s policy provides the coverage you need, call or stop by our office today.

Unlike auto insurance, state law doesn’t necessarily require you to have this type of coverage. However, this does not mean you shouldn’t. As a first-time homebuyer in Lafayette, IN, here is some information Blevins Insurance Agency wants to ensure you’re equipped with.

Your Lender Likely Requires It

Although some states don’t mandate home insurance, you are likely required to have it if you are financing your home through a mortgage lender or bank. Home insurance is one of those things that protects the financial institution’s interests in the event of a calamity. Make sure that you purchase more than the outstanding loan amount, which ensures you are able to recover built-up equity after a disaster.

It Offers Personal Liability Protection

Most people only know home insurance as protection for their home and belongings; however, it is more than that. It also offers coverage when someone is injured while at your home. It covers the medical and or legal costs as well as repair costs to their property if damage occurs to it.

Focus on Value Instead of Price

As with many things in life, you may want to try to save money where you can and opt for the cheapest home insurance policy. However, you should focus on the best value policy. In other words, look for the best bang for your buck. Take a close look at the policy limits, deductible amounts, what is and isn’t covered, etc. Ideally, you want to invest in a home insurance policy that has the fewest exclusions, offers more coverage for your losses, and requires less of a deductible when filing a claim.

If you need help figuring out the best home insurance policy for you and your individual situation, reach out to the professionals at Blevins Insurance Agency, an insurance agency that serves the Lafayette, IN area.

Home insurance is an extremely important type of coverage that should be kept by every homeowner. The consequences of not having this insurance can be disastrously expensive. To protect your home and future, you need home insurance. To find out more, contact us at Blevins Insurance Agency in Lafayette, IN.

Your Possessions

One way that home insurance protects you is by covering your possessions. When you add up what all of your possessions cost, the number can be surprisingly large. If you didn’t have home insurance and had to try to replace it all after a disaster or accident, you might not be able to do so. A home insurance policy pays for you to begin replacing the items that were lost so that you can get back to normal life more quickly and easily. 

Your Dwelling

The dwelling itself is also an enormous expense. To protect your investment in the house, you need this coverage. If something, such as a disaster, were to affect your house, your home insurance can pay for the damages by getting them repaired or the house rebuilt. These expenses can be substantial, and the damages can get so expensive that you wouldn’t be able to afford repairs without a home policy. 

Your Liability

Accidents can happen in the home that can leave you liable for enormous bills. If you were to have someone in your home who gets injured or sick there, you can be found at fault and ordered to pay the medical bills. With a home insurance policy, those bills are taken care of. 

Cover Your Home

To keep your home covered for all of these situations and more, you need to have a home insurance policy for as long as you own the house. Give us a call at Blevins Insurance Agency in Lafayette, IN.

The local housing market in Lafayette, IN fluctuates over time. That’s why your house valuation is only an estimate of how much it would cost if it were on the market. However, it becomes more essential when you’re buying home insurance as it is one of the factors that determine your premiums.

Whether you just moved in or want to change your insurer, know that your home’s value has the following benefits:

It can be an essential factor when selling your home

If you intend to sell your home one day, you want to make sure that you know its value to have a reference point when you decide to sell. It is more important if you still have a mortgage. You will need to consider your mortgage amount or your loan balance before checking your house’s value. Ideally, this amount should be significantly lower than the average value of the house.

It helps you determine how much to allocate for renovation

Most people prefer to do several renovations to increase their home’s value when selling it. However, if you don’t know your home’s value, you won’t know if there was any additional value. Some renovation projects can take a toll on your wallet, which may not be worth it in the long run. Blevins Insurance Agency recommends checking with your insurance agent to determine your home’s average value before starting any renovations.

Aid in refinancing

Lenders in Lafayette, IN allow people to borrow a maximum of 75% and 95% depending on the available loan program. While you may qualify for other credit parameters, the equity available is what determines whether you will get another loan or not. The more equity you have, the better your loan terms and the amount you qualify for. Knowing your home’s value shows you the amount you need to borrow and your chances of succeeding.

At Blevins Insurance Agency, we care about your insurance needs. Our skilled agents can help you secure a policy that fits your budget, needs, and style. Contact us for more information.

When you move to the Lafayette, IN area, you should look into buying a property to live in as it can offer you many different long term benefits and advantages. If you do purchase a home when you are here, you should get insurance for it. There are several reasons that you will need this protection. 

Insurance Protects Asset

A reason that a lot of people will get home insurance is that it can protect their assets. There will likely never be a home that you buy that is as valuable as your home. Due to this, you need to make sure that you protect your property and asset as well as you can. With a home insurance plan, you will get the coverage and protection needed to cover and properly protect this asset.

Insurance is Required

Additionally, you will want to get home insurance because it is often a requirement for you to have. Most people who buy homes today will take advantage of the low long-term interest rates with a mortgage. While there are benefits that come with financing your home, there are rules that need to be followed. Most of the time, your lender will require that you have a proper home insurance policy in place at all times.

Those looking for home insurance in the Lafayette, IN area should call the team with Blevins Insurance Agency when looking for a new policy. Many factors need to be considered when looking for a new insurance plan here. The team with Blevins Insurance Agency can answer your questions and make sure that you can choose a policy that offers the protection you need.