Whether you love the historic brick townhouses of Deutschtown or the modern downtown condos, Pittsburgh has a home for everyone. It’s a great place to buy a property. Once you buy a house here, you’ll want to do everything you can to protect it, including choosing the right insurance.
In this blog post, you’ll learn about purchasing home insurance in Pittsburgh, PA, including what you’ll need to know before you close on your new home.
Before You Buy: What You Need to Know About Home Insurance
There are different types of home insurance coverage available, including:
- Buildings insurance — Covers the physical structure of your home, including the walls, roof, and foundation.
- Contents insurance — Protects your belongings, like furniture, appliances, and electronics.
- Additional coverage — Depending on your location or specific risks, you might need extra coverage to cover high-value items, guest liability, or specific risks like flooding.
When choosing home insurance, you may choose some or all of these coverage options. At a minimum, most mortgage lenders will require you to have building insurance. This policy protects your home from the costs of damage from a fire, theft, or extreme weather. Your lender wants you to have an insurance policy to protect their investment in your property.
It’s a good idea to have home insurance even if you aren’t required to do so. Home insurance offers invaluable protection on what could be your most significant financial investment. It covers repairs or rebuilding your home after a disaster and could keep a roof over your head without causing immense financial strain.
How to Get New Home Insurance (Pittsburgh PA)
Getting home insurance for your new Pittsburgh home is a straightforward process. Here’s what you’ll need to do:
1. Gather Your Information
Before you contact insurance companies or work with an insurance broker, gather the necessary information on yourself and your property. To get an accurate quote on insurance premiums and policies, you’ll need:
- Your new address
- The year your home was built
- Square footage of your property
- Construction materials (wood, brick, etc.)
- Estimated rebuilding costs
- Value of your belongings
2. Compare Quotes
There are multiple ways to get quotes for home insurance in Pittsburgh. You can contact individual insurance companies or work with an insurance broker. A broker can compare quotes from multiple companies for you and help you choose the policy that offers the best coverage at the best price.
A broker will also know about any discounts you may be eligible for and help you negotiate your premiums. They can answer any questions about the kind of coverage you need.
3. Choose a Policy
Cost will be a factor when choosing a policy, but pay close attention to what you get for that price. Make sure the policy covers everything you need and that you are comfortable paying the deductible if needed (that’s the amount you must pay before the insurance kicks in). Aside from cost, you’ll want to consider factors such as:
- Rebuilding costs. Historic homes may require significant reconstruction, especially if they have period features that require a skilled craftsman. If you are lucky enough to purchase one of these properties, you may want to increase your insurance to cover these higher rebuilding costs.
- Flood insurance. Properties near the rivers could be at an elevated risk of flood, and most standard insurance policies exclude flood damage. You may want to purchase separate flood insurance.
- Discounts. You can lower your monthly premiums by installing a security system, having a clean claims history, or bundling your home and auto insurance.
Once you choose a policy, you’ll need to provide your payment details and sign the contract. In most cases, you’ll need to complete this process before you close on your home to avoid any gaps in coverage.
Get the Right Home Insurance Policy From Eber & Associates
Finding the right insurance partner can make a big difference when protecting your home. Eber & Associates are dedicated insurance professionals who understand your unique needs as a Pittsburgh homeowner. We’ll help you find the right coverage for your property at a competitive rate.
Contact our team today for a free quote on home insurance, and find a policy that gives you peace of mind before moving into your new home.
