top of page

Personal property may need additional protection

By Matthew Cluxton

What is personal property?
(Photo by Getty Images)

Click here to request a home insurance quote


Homeowner insurance isn’t just for the structure of your house. It also provides protection for most of your personal possessions. Some possessions of special value may require additional protection through a personal articles floater that can provide coverage beyond your standard policy.


WHAT’S IN YOUR POLICY

Before discussing what a personal articles floater is and the benefits it can provide, it is important to understand some details of your current homeowner policy.


Offered within a standard homeowner policy is Coverage C, better known as personal property coverage. It protects the contents of your home and other property owned by you ranging from the television to the clothes in your closet. Personal property coverage amounts are a percentage of the home’s insured value, typically around 75 percent. See your policy language for your specific situation.


Most homeowners have sufficient personal property coverage to protect their basic furnishings, but what if you own fine art, jewelry, silverware or other high-value collectibles? Some collectors may assume they have the necessary coverage under the contents coverage automatically provided, but in doing so, they risk their collection being severely underinsured. Consider, the standard homeowner policy typically:

  • insures these types of items only up to a maximum dollar amount, or not at all.

  • requires a deductible – the amount a policyholder must pay for an insured loss before insurance pays the remainder.

  • applies exclusions or limitations for such things as breakage, earthquakes, flood or while in transit.

  • settles losses on an actual cash value basis, which is the depreciated value of the item.

THE PERSONAL ARTICLES FLOATER


For these reasons, many collectors prefer to purchase a personal articles floater, an entirely separate policy not connected with your existing homeowner policy. Most personal articles' policies can provide broad, all-risk coverage. This means that there is coverage for a loss unless specifically excluded. Some additional benefits typically include:

  • No deductible is required, although you may be able to reduce your premium if you choose a deductible.

  • Most major dangers to your collection are covered, including such things as: accidental damage, theft, fire, mysterious disappearance, breakage, earthquake, flood, and even terrorism.

  • Loss settlements are based on an agreed value at the time the policy was issued. Some insurance companies offer up to an additional 150 percent of the agreed value if, prior to the loss, the market value is higher than the scheduled amount.

  • Coverage extends to newly acquired property.

  • The floater provides worldwide coverage.

  • Full coverage applies to items in transit or while at any other location away from your home.

  • Scheduled and unscheduled (blanket) options are available.

  • Most insurance companies offer a package or multi-policy discount.

COVERED PROPERTY


Personal articles floater can offer proper protection for collections such as these – and many other rare or unique items:

-Antiques                                           -Musical instruments

-Cameras                                           -Rare books

-Coins                                              -Silverware

-Fine art                                             -Sports memorabilia

-Furs                                                -Stamps

-Guns                                               -Wine

-Jewelry

Don’t leave insurance coverage for your collection to chance. If you are uncertain about your current insurance policy and the coverage in place for your valuables, contact your local independent agent for guidance. Your agent has the expertise to assist you in obtaining the appropriate amount of insurance protection for your collection.


Coverages described here are in the most general terms and are subject to actual policy conditions and exclusions. For actual coverage wording, conditions and exclusions, refer to the policy or contact your independent agent.



____________________________

Original article shared here:


Proudly offering home insurance in Waterford, Troy, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Rochester Hills, Bloomfield Hills, Ferndale, Pontiac, Royal Oak, Novi, Commerce, Orion, Independence, White Lake, Madison Heights, Oak Park, Auburn Hills, Oxford, Birmingham, Highland, Oakland County, Michigan, and surrounding areas.

The Huttenlocher Group

1007 W Huron St, Waterford , MI  48328

(248) 681-2100

1007 W Huron St, Waterford Twp, MI 48328

(248) 681-2100

  • Grey Facebook Icon
  • Grey LinkedIn Icon
  • Grey Google Places Icon

CA License: 0G47886

We use cookies to personalize and enhance your experience on our site.  Visit our Privacy Policy to learn more. By using our site, you agree to our use of cookies, as well as our Privacy Policy and Terms of use.

bottom of page