Yearly review recommended for homeowners insurance

Sep. 13--MOSES LAKE -- Say something happens to the house -- oh, just to pick something at random -- say there's a windstorm. Say a tree hits the garage. That's when the homeowner pulls out the insurance policy and -- just a second. What exactly is in that policy?

That's a good question, and one homeowners should ask themselves long before something happens. In fact, local insurance agents recommend homeowners review the policy every year.

Chad Schwab, owner of the Chad Schwab Agency in Moses Lake, said insurance is not a subject most people like to talk about.

"They get that deer in the headlights look," he said.

Ariel Garza, owner of Ariel Garza Insurance in Moses Lake, cited what he told his brother when his brother was considering insurance for his new house. "Right now you are insuring your greatest asset," he said. For that reason alone, homeowners need to know what is -- and what isn't -- in the policy.

Mike Garza, owner of the Mike Garza Agency in Othello, said homeowners sometimes forget to upgrade the policy when they upgrade the house. Remodeling, new floors, new cabinets -- unless the homeowner updates the policy, those changes may not be reflected in the coverage, Mike Garza said.

A policy may have clauses the homeowner doesn't need, like insurance for a non-existent swimming pool.

"They're not real obvious sometimes. It's the little things," Mike Garza said.

In addition, every year companies make changes in their policies, Ariel Garza said. When homeowners receive the renewal, they should check it to see that it fits with their needs.

"You should know what's in it, because you're paying $1,000 a year," Ariel Garza said, and sometimes more.

And homeowners should know that not all policies are the same.

"It (policy comparison) is not all apples to apples. It's apples to oranges and bananas and cucumbers sometimes," Ariel Garza said.

One of the first things a homeowner should check, Schwab said, is whether or not they have adequate coverage to replace their home at current costs. "Your reconstruction cost. That's important," Mike Garza said.

Ariel Garza said adequate coverage might seem expensive, but being underinsured can be more expensive, if something happens. "Do not nickel-and-dime the biggest asset you own," Ariel Garza said. "Homeowners insurance should never be a price war."

Homeowners don't want to end up paying out of pocket for house repair or replacement in addition to their premium, Schwab said.

Homeowners insurance is not just for the house. "It's for your personal property -- what's inside the house," Mike Garza said.

Schwab said homeowners should try a thought experiment -- mentally take the roof off the house, turn it over, shake it and see what falls out. All of that has to be insured too. "Everything adds up -- your socks, your dishes, your computer," Schwab said.

Homeowners also need to know what overall assets they have, so they can set their liability limits appropriately, Schwab said.

Homeowners should ask if they're unsure about any clauses in the policy. "Absolutely. Always ask. It's your money that you're spending, so you should know what you're getting," Schwab said.

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