Remodeling Your Home

September 19th, 2011

Helping You Build Security

When undertaking a remodeling project, people often forget to review their insurance needs, too. Whether your addition budget is large or small, you are adding both the value of your home and your exposure to risk. To ensure that your project goes smoothly and that you have the coverage you need, here’s what you need to know.

Working with General Contractors
The best way to minimize your renovation risk is to hire a reputable general contractor for the job. As part of the biding process, ask the general contractor to provide a Certificate of Insurance and/or copies of the policies. Specifically, check for coverage for the following:

Workers’ Compensation: Verify that he/she has workers’ compensation coverage in the event that an employee or subcontractor gets hurt on the job.

General Liability: Ask if the contractor has liability insurance, which covers losses due to negligence and errors or omission, which results in property damage. Also ask that you are added as an “Additional Insured.”

Builders Risk: This policy is designed to cover damage to your home and materials, including those not installed yet. We can help you verify whether you should require this from your contractor, based on your renovation project.
If they don’t carry the proper coverage, they are not the right contractor for the job!

Advice for do-it-yourselfers
If decide to go it alone and manage a renovation yourself, you assume all the risks. A review of your Homeowners coverage for liability and property is prudent, as you are assuming more risks and exposures than contemplated by Homeowners Insurance.

Hiring bona fide subcontractors who can provide you with a Certificate of Insurance or copies of their policies showing their General Liability and Worker’s Compensation coverage is mandatory for your legal protection. Otherwise, if you are hiring subcontractors or paying friends to do the work, you could be subject to Worker’s Compensation laws, should they become injured while working on your home. If a friend or relative helps out as a favor (no money changes hands) and gets injured, your Homeowners Insurance typically covers the cost of their injuries, up to your policy limits. It’s important to note that a Homeowners policy is not designed to provide primary liability protection for these injuries. If a helper is seriously injured, the domino effect can be financially and emotionally difficult for all who are involved. For an extra layer of protection, it’s a good idea to also carry Umbrella Liability coverage, which kicks in to provide liability coverage above your Homeowners limits.

Insuring the Real Value of Your Home
Experts estimate that one-fourth of remodeling projects add at least 25 percent to the value of a home, yet often most homeowners forget to increase their coverage to protect their investment. Most Homeowners Insurance policies require 100 percent of the home’s replacement cost, so it’s important to raise your home’s policy limit before your project begins.

Keep in mind that you don’t need to increase your coverage by the same amount as the cost of renovation. Often, a major cost factor in a home improvement project is labor for tearing out something old. Determining this new replacement can be somewhat complex, so contact us for assistance. We have the latest technology available to assist with this process.

Your insurance partner
Adding to your home is exciting, but poses financial risks. Contact Whitaker-Myers Insurance Group at (330) 345-5000 to learn more about all of our home, auto and life personal risk management solutions.

Disclaimer: This brochure is provided for informational purposes only. The information provided herein is not intended to be exhaustive, nor should it be construed as advice regarding coverage. Eligibility for coverage is not guaranteed and all coverages are limited to the terms and conditions contained in the applicable policy. Content © 2008 Zywave, Inc.