The Home-Insurance Coin Flip: Nearly Half of Claims Result in Zero Payout

[sarisataka]

38. It pays to spend a little time with an agent to understand what your insurance is covering

Too often people want to pay the smallest amount they can get away with so accept large deductibles and skip optional coverages.
Often there is very little difference in cost to have a lower deductible which can save thousands if a claim is filed.
Many base policies offered now are very bare bones, but optional add-ons are available for very little cost. Having your roof covered at replacement value rather than a depreciated value can be tens of thousands of dollars after a hailstorm. Water damage is often excluded in base policies but can be added for a couple dollars a month to cover the second most common HO claim insurance companies receive.

Insurance is expensive, so know what it is you are paying for.