Many people have used the COVID-19 pandemic to assess their current living situation. Whether it is finally getting to those home improvement projects, getting out in your yard or garden. Others felt inspired to make some major renovations to their homes. If you fall into this category, clearly you are not the only one making changes as you stood in line outside The Home Depot, Lowes or your local home & garden department store.
If you have made some significant updates to your home this year, it’s important to relay this information to your insurance agent.
Review the scenarios below and reach out to us if you have made any of the following changes:
- Updated your kitchen or bathroom
- Added square footage to your home
- Built a detached structure such as a shop, garage or office
- Made energy efficient improvements such as solar panels on your roof
Why Do I Need to Share This Information With My Agent?
Any major update you make to your home can impact the current value of your home. If you ever have to experience a home insurance claim, your insurance carrier has an idea how much it will cost to replace what has been damaged. As your agent, we want to make sure your home has an accurate value for your home insurance policy so you can be reimbursed at the appropriate value.
Has COVID-19 caused long term changes to your lifestyle?
With some major companies extending a work from home approach into the fall season or even the remainder of the year, some people may consider finding a way to work from home permanently. If this applies to you, you may want to create a designated home office to work from. Learn how to work from home effectively here.
If you are a small business owner who now is looking to work permanently from home, be sure to let your agent know. Some changes to your home insurance policymay be necessary.
If You Plan To Drive Less, Reach Out To Your Agent
Some people who mainly used their car to commute to and from work, may be finding they are barely using their vehicle. Reach out to your insurance agent to see if can qualify for any auto insurance discounts. Some insurance carriers can provide a discount to individuals who drive less than 10,000 miles a year.