Home Insurance in Columbus, OH

Choose the Right Home Insurance to Meet Your Needs

From the historic Victorian-style homes near the city's center to the sprawling lawns and split-level homes of the surrounding suburbs, there are thousands of beautiful homes in Central Ohio. The city's housing market is currently very competitive, with the average home only being listed for about 36 days. The median sales price of $256,000 means the area is quite affordable for the average family as well.

Perhaps you love the easygoing pace of suburbs like Gahanna or Grove City, or may you prefer up-and-coming art neighborhoods like the Short North or the Italian Village. Regardless of what neighborhood draws you to the city, one thing is certain: You've worked hard to get your dream home, so it's important to protect it with the right Columbus, OH, home insurance. 

The Importance of Purchasing Home Insurance

Ohio doesn't have any laws requiring homeowners to purchase insurance coverage, but that doesn't mean you should skip it to save money. The reality is that you'll probably do just the opposite. While the chances of experiencing a house fire, natural disaster, or other emergency are typically relatively low, it is still important to be prepared. If your home isn't insured and receives tornado damage, for example, you'll have to pay for any repairs out of pocket. Unless you have a hefty savings account, it's likely to throw a wrench in your finances.

It isn't just natural disasters you need to be prepared for, either. If you take out a mortgage on your home, your lender will likely require you to carry Columbus, OH, home insurance. If you don't shop for your own policy, it will probably provide one for you. Convenient, right? Maybe so, but it is also often much more expensive than what you'd pay if you shop for your own insurance coverage.

Understanding How Much Coverage to Buy

No two Columbus, OH, home insurance policies are exactly alike. A home in a modest suburb doesn't require as much coverage as a downtown penthouse, for example. This means you need to know how much your home is worth, as well as know the worth of the property inside. At VIU by HUB, we recommend a policy that covers at least 80% of your home's replacement cost. This means that a home worth $300,000 should carry a policy that provides up to $240,000 if the home is damaged or repaired. Of course, most of the time, a home won't need entirely replaced. When you consider a smaller scale, 80% insurance coverage would pay for $1600 of a $2000 repair. 

Know What Your Home Insurance Protects

Columbus, OH, home insurance typically is an "umbrella policy" that covers several types of situations. In addition to paying for the repair or replacement of your home when necessary, it usually also covers the repair or replacement of detached garages, barns, fences, or other structures on your property. Your homeowner's insurance protects the stuff inside your home as well. If your clothing, furniture, electronics, appliances, or other valuables are damaged due to a fire, tornado, or theft, you will receive money to help cover the cost of replacing your items. The coverage features several other options as well.

• Personal Liability Coverage –This protects you if someone is injured or if their own property is damaged while visiting you. It provides money to cover damages, pay for medical bills related to injury, and in some cases, protect you if a court case is filed. It may also protect you in off-property situations, such as if your dog bites someone while you're on a walk.
• Additional Living Expenses –If your home is too damaged to live in, your insurance may provide you with money for a hotel or for other unexpected living expenses while you wait for your home to be repaired.

This information is intended for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice.