|
|
on the radio with Paul Petillo
Join Paul Petillo, Dave Kittredge and Dave Ng every week on Financial Impact Factor Radio as they to discuss everything from retirement to insurance, investing to estate planning, from getting started to preparing to stop.
books by Paul Petillo
I just published my fifth book - this time with Smashwords! ReBuilding Wealth in a Paycheck-to-Paycheck World by Paul Petillo, copyright 2011 This ebook is available across all platforms including iPad and iPhone, Amazon and Sony.
on personal finance
In the world of personal finance, asking what's the worst that could happen is not the same as asking: "will I be able to afford this?" or "have I saved enough for retirement?"
More personal finance
on retirement
The Who, What, When, Where and Why of Retirement
If things are good, for some they won't be good enough. If it turns out that things are not so good, someone will ultimately benefit for this off-chance negativity.
More on retirement planning
on mortgages
American dream or not, the games you may have once played with financing your home are not available for the vast majority of homeowners.
More on mortgages and homes
on insurance
Insurance : Life, Health, Auto, Home
Is the insurance industry the next victim of the financial crisis?
Health Channel
on investing
The mutual fund investor has a great many more options available to them in the post-Great Recession marketplace. The question is: are they right for you as you make a retirement plan using 401(k)s or IRAs?
More on investing
on twitter @PaulPetillo
special features
Zack's Investment Tools: Stock Screener or Mutual Fund Screener
Calculators
Privacy Policy
Ad Policy
Our recent financial discussions
|
|
on home/mortgage insurance
Home/Mortgage Insurance
You will not be able to purchase a home with a mortgage without it. Home insurance insures on of your most valuable investments from unforeseen damage, and this coverage goes beyond the structure to include the contents. It can cover everything for a storm that has damaged your home to your dog biting someone.
There are many things that can go wrong and often do when you own a home. Storms, fire, theft all involve great expense to you and to the company that holds your mortgage. These expense can be devastating. How many times have you seen the survivor of some disaster huddled in a blanket telling the world via the media that you lost everything and have no insurance.
Homeowners covers loss of use, liability should someone be injured on your property, and often medical payments involved in those injuries.
Because it is such a comprehensive policy, each "peril" is often named in the policy. What is not named in the policy can, of course be purchased as a rider to the policy. I live in a possible earthquake area and have added that to my policy. Folks living in flood zones can often add coverage that would cover damage from such a disaster.
The tough part is trying to determine how much you should cover yourself for. Replacement Costs will pay for the replacement of damaged property with no deduction for depreciation. But this coverage has a maximum dollar limit placed on it.
Guaranteed Replacement is the same as replacement but there is no dollar limit placed on the policy. The limit can be placed at 120% of the cost of rebuilding your home, but this type of policy is not available in every state.
Actual Cash Value pays you an amount that is equal to the value of the damaged property with a big minus to the depreciation. Unless your policy actually states replacement policy, you probably have an actual cash value type.
the cost of this policy can increase over time however. Your property may increase in value, improvements may make it worth more, and inflation all play a roll in determining the value of your policy. Is is a good idea to have your agent come by about once every five years or so to reevaluate your property and the coverage you have.
Rule of thumb: Make sure your policy covers at least 80% of the replacement costs of your home.
Back to Insurance
This information is focused on the US. If you are in the UK you may be able to find useful home insurance information on the Think Insure website.
|
