Why should I choose InsurancePoliciesOnline.com as my online agent?
InsurancePoliciesOnline.com has several advantages over other online insurance sources.  First, we are part of a established insurance agency that has been in business for over 120 years.  We have a considerable amount of experience.  Second, we will be your agent.  Many online insurance sites simply refer you to another agent.  You don't get to choose who you are dealing with.  You will be dealing directly with us and will have our services available to you.  Finally, the InsurancePoliciesOnline.com system is designed for efficiency.  If you are using the internet to find insurance, shouldn't you be able to buy it online?  We've automated the quote to purchase system to provide you with detailed coverage information and an efficient system to select and purchase the coverage you need.  There will always be a licensed insurance professional behind the system to provide you with help when you need it. 

What is Homeowner's Insurance?
Homeowner's insurance is a package policy providing coverage for the property and personal liability.  The property section covers the house, other structures, personal property and loss of use.  Coverage is provided for damage caused by fire, theft, lighting and other causes.  The personal liability covers the owner for bodily injury or property damage to a third party that arises from the insured location.  For additional detail, please see the summary of coverage.

What kind of homes are eligible for the Premier Homeowner's program?
This specialty program is designed to offer superior coverage from top insurance companies.  Eligible clients will have a primary residence that is an owner-occupied single family home with a replacement value of at least $300,000, good to above average credit scores, no prior bankruptcies or credit liens and no more than two non-weather related claims.  Secondary locations that are condominiums or town homes may be included with an eligible primary home.

Are all homeowner's insurance policies the same?
Absolutely not!  There is a wide difference between the coverage available from different insurance companies.  Most companies use a very basic policy form with limited coverage, especially for contents.  Our enhanced coverage package for premier homes will include increased replacement cost for the home and expanded coverage for contents.  The details of these enhancements will be included in your proposal.

How do I select the limit of insurance for my home?
The primary limits you need to select is the replacement cost of the home and the personal liability limit.  The other policy limits usually follow from the home value, which must be 100% of the cost to rebuild the home.  A good start is the limit on your current insurance policy, or the original cost to build the home (adjusted for inflation).  The cost to rebuild the home can be very different than the market value.  It is estimated that as many as 50% of homes are underinsured.  To help protect you from underinsurance, two measures are provided for our policy holders.  We will provide a replacement cost estimate to verify the proper value and your policy will include expanded coverage to increase the coverage limit if the actual replacement cost is higher than estimated. 

How do I get a quote for my homeowners insurance?
The fastest way to get an accurate quote is to use our online quote request system. This will step you through the information required to process your quote.  You will receive an email notice when your quote is available online.  Most quotes are returned within two business days.

How do I purchase coverage?
When your quote is ready, an email notice will be sent to you.  You may view the detailed proposal online.  Simply choose the coverage from the online proposal, and then continue through the purchase process. A variety of payment options will be available.

Can you provide my mortgage company with the required proof of insurance?
Yes. When you complete your purchase online, you may provide us with the lenders information. We will then send official proof of insurance to the lender on your behalf.

Can the premium be paid by the mortgage company through escrow?
Yes.  When you complete your purchase online, the mortgage billing option will be available.  We do suggest that you make your purchase well in advance of your policy renewal date to allow time for the premium to be paid by the mortgage company.  If you are purchasing a new home, this option may not be available.  It is common for the title company to require the first year premium to be paid in full before closing.

Will turning in a claim make my premium go up?
Possibly.  Premiums fluctuate regularly and can be driven by many factors beyond your control.  The type of claims that will make an individual's premium rise are ones that are caused by carelessness or arise from the nature of the property itself.  Things such as dog bites, falls due to poor housekeeping, injuries from trampolines or swimming pools, fire damage from smoking or a lack of fire protection, repeated theft and damage from poor maintenance could all lead to a specific premium increase.  Weather related claims will typically not raise an individuals premium.  However, they may cause a premium increase for an entire area. 

What is the best coverage for my expensive jewelry, furs, art or collectibles?
The best way to cover items of special value is with a "Personal Articles Floater."  This extension of coverage will provide the broadest coverage for theft or damage and will value the property for the amount you desire.  You may request this coverage as part of the online quote request.

Does a homeowner's insurance policy cover my home based business?
No.  Most homeowner's policies will exclude coverage for any type of business operation.  Very limited coverage is provided for business related property.  The best coverage for any business is provided under the appropriate commercial insurance policy.  Some homeowner's policies may be able to extend some coverage for certain home based businesses. 

Who will service my account?
InsurancePoliciesOnline.com will service your insurance account. A licensed insurance professional will be available to assist you with the quote, payment and policy issuance. We do not pass off quote requests to other agents. We will issue and service your policy directly.

How do I turn in a claim?
Most claims are turned in directly to the insurance company. The claim reporting phone number is included with your policy. If you cannot find the number, you may always call or email our office for assistance.

What happens with my personal information?
InsurancePoliciesOnline.com complies with relevant privacy laws. None of your information is shared with any third party without your specific permission. We do not sell client information.

Is the application and payment system secure?
The application and payment systems are secure. All data is kept in secure databases and personal information is transmitted with 128-bit Secure Socket Layer encryption. The payment processing system uses a Verisign payment processing program to ensure your privacy and security.