Homeowners insurance protects one of life’s biggest investments. Should a tree fall through your Tulsa roof, water damage your floor, or a fire break out in the kitchen, insurance for your home helps to cover the cost of repairing or rebuilding your home. It may also cover other buildings on your property such as a garden gazebo or storage shed.
If the damage is extensive enough to prevent you from living in your home, your homeowners insurance helps to cover the costs of temporary housing and living expenses. As a homeowner in Tulsa, you must invest in this important insurance coverage.
Tulsa Home Insurance Coverage
Whether you need a Tulsa home insurance policy with basic coverage or a comprehensive policy with increased protection, Tulsa Insurance Guy gives you the flexibility to choose a policy that best suits your needs.
Standard Coverage
Most Tulsa home insurance policies include coverage to help pay for repairs or to rebuild your home and other buildings on your property. In addition to covering your home, most standard coverage policies offer the following benefits:
Dwelling Coverage
The dwelling coverage included in your Tulsa home insurance policy pays for repairs or the replacement of your home in the event of a fire, windstorm, hail storm, lightning strike, or other covered events.
Your dwelling coverage policy limit should equal the replacement cost of the home, which is typically higher than the market value or loan amount. A Tulsa Insurance Guy agent will use an approved method to determine this amount. Your property is not part of the equation when determining this limit of coverage.
Unattached Structure Coverage
Unattached structure coverage pays for the repair or replacement of structures not attached to the primary dwelling such as gazebos, workshops, or an unattached garage.
The unattached structure coverage limit provided is usually a percentage of the dwelling limit, but can be adjusted up or down depending on your unique needs.
Contents Coverage
Contents coverage included in your Tulsa home insurance policy pays to repair or replace your home’s contents in the event of a covered peril. Any item that can be easily removed from the home is covered under this part of your policy. Items that are installed in your home are considered part of the dwelling. Because of this, they are insured under the dwelling coverage.
Many policies have sub-limits for belongings such as jewelry, guns, and valuable collector’s items. Be sure and speak with your Tulsa insurance agent on how to best cover them. All contents coverage claims are subject to a deductible you select.
Personal Liability Coverage
Anyone who owns or rents a home can be held personally responsible if someone is injured while on the property. Personal liability coverage is available to pay for legal defense, settlements, or a judgment awarded by the court. Most Tulsa homeowner insurance policies provide limits starting at $100,000 which can be increased to $500,000 or higher depending on the company. In most cases, a deductible is not required for this valuable coverage.
Medical Payment Coverage
Medical payment coverage protects you if someone suffers a minor injury on your property. Unlike personal liability coverage, an action does not have to be brought against the homeowner or renter to trigger this coverage.
For example, if a visitor were to slip and fall on your property, suffering only a minor injury, your insurer would offer the medical payment coverage for an emergency room visit or diagnostic testing. You select your medical payment limit which normally starts at $1,000.
Living Expense Coverage
Most Tulsa home insurance policies include coverage for living expenses. This is of great value if you are required to live in a hotel or apartment while repairs are being made to your home following a tragedy. Living expense coverage will reimburse you for these additional living expenses up to the limits you select. Many companies provide limits of 10% of the dwelling as part of the policy package.
Identity Theft Coverage
Most of the insurance companies we partner with offer identity theft coverage for only $1 a month. Adding this type of coverage to your Tulsa home insurance policy will help cover the cost of restoring your identity if you’re the victim of identity theft. Identity recovery coverage provides up to $25,000 for lost wages and expenses related to recovering your identity as well as personal one-on-one assistance.
Multiple Losses, One Deductible
At Tulsa Insurance Guy, we work hard to make your insurance experience stress-free. Combine your Tulsa home insurance and auto insurance policies to become eligible for a single loss deductible! In the unfortunate event that your car, motorcycle, boat, or RV is damaged along with your home, you may only have to pay one deductible. This can save you both time and money at a time when you need it the most!
Lowering Your Tulsa Home Insurance Bill
Shop Around
As an independent insurance agent, we provide our clients with access to policies from over 80 nationally-recognized insurance companies. We will always provide you with several options so that you can choose a Tulsa home insurance policy that fits both your needs and your budget. Additionally, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners provides valuable information on numerous insurers in Oklahoma, including complaints.
Raise Your Tulsa Home Insurance Deductible
A deductible is the amount of money you have to pay toward a loss before your insurance company starts to pay a claim, according to the terms of your policy. The higher your policy deductible, the more money you can save on your premiums. Most Tulsa home insurance companies recommend a deductible of at least $1,000. If you can afford to raise your policy deductible to $2,500, you may save as much as 25% on your coverage.
Bundle Your Tulsa Insurance Policies
At Tulsa Insurance Guy, we offer more than just home insurance policies. By bundling your home and auto coverage, you can save up to 15% off your premium. We will always provide you with information regarding ways to bundle your coverage and save!
Increase Your Tulsa Home’s Disaster Resistance
There may be ways that you can improve your home’s resistance to natural disasters such as flooding, windstorms, snowstorms, or more. By reinforcing your home by adding storm shutters, improving your roofing materials, modernizing your heating, plumbing, and electrical systems, you may be able to reduce your premium. The Tulsa Insurance Guy team can provide you with information on this process.
Improve Your Home Security
Most insurance providers offer a discount of at least 5% to Tulsa homeowners who install safety features such as smoke detectors, burglar alarms, or deadbolt locks. For an even greater discount, some insurance companies will reduce your premium by as much as 15-20% for installing an interior sprinkler system or other, more advanced alarm systems.
Look for Discounts on Your Tulsa Home Insurance Policy
Many Tulsa home insurance companies offer several types of discounts for which you may be eligible. Some of the most popular include discounts for the following:
- Approved electronic burglar alarms.
- Deadbolt locks or other security measures.
- Smoke alarms, sprinkler systems, or other fire prevention systems.
- Heating, electrical, or plumbing updates.
- Companion policies such as your auto policy with the same company.
- Senior citizen or retired homeowner.
- Proximity to a fire station.
- Military or first responders.
- Impact-resistant roofs.
- Personal property identification marking.
- Credit score.
- Continued policy renewals.
- Claims free discount.
Be sure to ask the Tulsa Insurance Guy team about additional policy discounts for which you may be eligible!
Maintain a Good Credit Record
Insurers are beginning to rely more heavily on the homeowner’s credit information while pricing policies. Establishing a solid credit history can greatly decrease your Tulsa home insurance costs. To protect your credit standing, pay your bills on time, don’t obtain more credit than you need, and keep your credit balances as low as possible. Check your credit record regularly and correct any errors so that your record remains accurate.
Review Your Tulsa Home Insurance Policy Regularly
It is important to ensure that your Tulsa home insurance policy covers any major purchases or additions to your home. It is also important to make sure that you aren’t paying for coverage that you no longer need. By reviewing your policy limits and the value of your belongings every year, you can avoid overpaying for unnecessary coverage.
Remember Flood Insurance & Earthquake Damage Is Not Covered
If you live in an area that is prone to flooding or earthquakes, you may need to invest in flood insurance or earthquake damage coverage. This type of coverage is not included in a standard Tulsa home insurance policy. Flood insurance costs an average of $400 a year, something to consider as you shop for home insurance policies.
Our Tulsa Insurance Guy team is passionate about providing you with the quality coverage you deserve at great rates! By working together to lower your Tulsa home insurance premiums, find a policy that fits your needs, and searching for applicable discounts, we can ensure that your home and belongings are properly insured.
Tulsa Home Insurance FAQs
At Tulsa Insurance Guy, we receive many of the same questions from our clients. Here are answers to a few of our most frequently asked questions, providing you with the information you need to select a policy that works for your needs!
Am I required to have Tulsa home insurance to purchase my first home?
Yes, lenders always require first-time homebuyers to purchase a Tulsa home insurance policy.
Does my home insurance policy cover damage caused by earthquakes or floods?
A standard homeowners policy does not cover damage caused by earthquakes or floods. If you live in an area that is prone to these types of events, you will need to invest in additional coverage or a separate policy for natural disasters.
What is the difference between water damage and flood damage?
The damage caused to your home may be similar but the cause is different. Water damage is usually caused by water coming from something like an overflowing toilet, a burst pipe, a leaking dishwasher, or a roof that leaks after a hard rain. Flood damage, on the other hand, is caused by water coming from an overwhelmed levy, a clogged drainage system, a river or lake that overflows, or even a torrential storm. Water that seeps into your basement after heavy rain or winter runoff is usually also considered flood damage.
What home contents are included in a Tulsa home insurance policy?
Home contents include everything inside your home that is not permanently fixed to the walls, ceiling, or floor. Your couch, television, carpet, refrigerator, dining room table and floor lamp are examples of home contents. We recommend keeping an ongoing inventory of your belongings using inventory services such as Know Your Stuff.
How to Get More Out of Your Tulsa Home Insurance
Here are a few ways that you can get more out of your Tulsa home insurance policy:
- Use an online home inventory service like Know Your Stuff to maintain an ongoing list of your belongings.
- Regularly compare the value of your belongings to the coverage listed in your policy. Make sure you have enough insurance to replace your possessions if they’re lost, stolen, or damaged.
- Select the proper amount of coverage for your home. Without the right level of coverage, you may not have enough to cover the cost of rebuilding your home after a total loss.
- Learn how to prevent leaks from turning into a major water damage problem.
- Educate yourself on how to properly maintain synthetic siding to prevent water and moisture damage.
- If you live in an area prone to certain types of natural disasters, it’s important to be prepared. Learn how to safeguard yourself and your family just in case a tragedy strikes.
Get a Quote Today!
We are dedicated to finding a life insurance policy that offers great value, exceptional coverage, and the best rates available! Contact the Tulsa Insurance Guy team today to learn more or to receive a quote on a policy that is customized for your situation.
Life Insurance Through Tulsa Insurance Guy
Our team is dedicated to providing a simple, streamlined insurance experience.
Far too often, individuals dread the stress that often accompanies the insurance process. At Tulsa Insurance Guy, we do the work for you, shopping the marketplace to locate policies that align with both your needs and your budget.
We are also passionate about helping our clients save money while protecting every area of their lives. Because of this, we always look for lower rates, applicable discounts, and special offers from various insurance carriers. Many times, we can offer a discount to clients who bundle their life insurance policy with other insurance coverage such as home or auto. In this way, you can protect your family both now and in the future.
Whatever your insurance needs, the Tulsa Insurance Guy team is ready to serve you. We strongly believe in the importance of life insurance for every adult in Tulsa. Without this important coverage, your family could be left facing incredible financial hardship while wrestling with the loss of a loved one. By investing in a Tulsa life insurance policy, you can provide your family with the peace of mind in knowing their needs are protected, even in the most unexpected circumstances.