As the second most populated state in the country, millions of people call Texas home. But the Lone Star State is also home to one of the highest average homeowners' insurance rates in the country—a whopping $1,409 a year compared to the national average of just over $800.
If you're shopping around for Wichita Falls insurance quotes and are a little taken aback by the numbers, it's important to understand that when it comes to insurance, prices are determined by risk factors. Texas is a breeding ground for natural disasters and storms, with hurricanes frequently hitting the coast and some of the fiercest tornadoes and lightning storms in US history slamming cities like Wichita Falls. Because of the devastating effects of such disasters, insurance tends to be a little pricier.
Getting Adequate Coverage
As you look for Wichita Falls insurance quotes, you'll want to make sure your home is completely insured for any potential problem. But insurance inclusions and exclusions can be difficult to understand, so keep the following in mind:
- Flooding is not covered. The National Flood Insurance Program is responsible for flood insurance, and it must be purchased separately if you want to be covered for flooding that is the result of surface flooding from broken dams, heavy rains, and so forth. It will add approximately $120 a month to your policy (more or less depending on whether you have a basement or you want your contents covered as well), but it's well worth it if flooding ever becomes an issue.
- Tornado damage is covered. If your Wichita Falls insurance quotes include a basic HO-3 insurance policy, it will include coverage for 16 perils; one of these is tornadoes. This includes damage that could result from a tree falling onto your home or mailbox being torn from your property as a result of a tornado.
- Power outages/surges are not covered. Let's say there is a power outage for some time. When the power comes back on, a flood of electricity (or "surge") occurs to the open circuits in the house, and all computers and televisions that you had plugged in overheat and damage the internal circuits, damaging them all. Unfortunately, this type of damage is common but not covered by your insurance, so unplugging appliances or getting a surge protector is the best way to protect against this.
- Pest damage is not covered. Damage caused by termites that eat away at your home are not covered under most insurance policies. Termites and other rodents are considered to be maintenance issues, so many insurers consider pest damage as negligence on the homeowners' part.
When getting Wichita Falls insurance quotes, make sure you know exactly what is and what is not covered in your policy. From there, you can decide if you need to purchase additional insurance or take extra precautions to cover exclusions.
Finding Wichita Falls Insurance Quotes
A great way to save on your Wichita Falls insurance is by shopping around for multiple quotes, then comparing the rates. You can do this quickly and easily on netquote.com. This comprehensive site also provides information on all types of insurance, so you know what you do and don't need when building your quote online.
