Homeowner’s and renter’s insurance provides vital protection against a range of risks, from property damage to liability claims.
However, many homeowners are unaware that their policies come with sublimits for certain household items. These are caps placed on the coverage amount for specific categories of belongings, such as furniture, jewelry, collectibles — and other structures on the property.
Understanding these sublimits is crucial for ensuring adequate protection for your valuable possessions.
What exactly are sublimits?
Sublimits are limitations within your homeowner’s insurance policy that restrict the maximum amount the insurer will pay for certain types of property in the event of a covered loss.
While the overall coverage limit of your policy may seem sufficient, it’s essential to recognize that these sublimits can significantly impact your ability to recover the full value of high-worth items.
Sublimits are usually placed on high-fraud items like jewelry, guns and artwork. They can vary wildly, ranging from $1,500 per item with a $2,500 total limit to $5,000 per item and a $10,000 total limit.
You should also remember that any claims for damage or theft are subject to your policy’s deductible.
Common sublimited items
- Jewelry: Many standard homeowner’s insurance policies have sublimits for jewelry, typically ranging from $1,000 to $2,500. If you own valuable pieces such as engagement rings, watches or heirloom jewelry, these sublimits may fall short of covering their full value.
Jewelry is the most common underinsured item that, if lost, stolen or damaged can hit your pocketbook hard.
- Electronics: Expensive electronics like computers, camera and home theater systems are often subject to sublimits. While your policy may cover electronics, the sublimit could be insufficient to replace high-end equipment.
- Art, guns and collectibles: Artwork, antiques, guns and collectibles may have limited coverage under standard policies. If you’ve invested in valuable art pieces or rare collectibles, or have an extensive baseball-card collection, the sublimits may not adequately protect them in the event of damage or theft.
- Other structures: Additional structures on your property — such as sheds, fences, detached garages, gazebos and grandmother’s quarters — may be subject to sublimits separate from the main dwelling coverage. These limitations could leave you with insufficient funds to repair or replace such structures if they are damaged.
Importance of additional coverage
For homeowners with high-value items that fall under sublimits, it’s essential to consider additional coverage options to bridge the gap.
Riders or endorsements are add-ons to your homeowner’s insurance policy that provide increased coverage for specific items or categories of property.
Here’s what you can do:
- Assess your valuables: Take an inventory of your possessions, particularly those with high monetary or sentimental value. This includes jewelry, electronics, artwork and any other items that may be subject to sublimits.
- Call us: Reach out to us to discuss your coverage needs. We can help you understand the sublimits in your policy and recommend appropriate riders or endorsements to ensure adequate protection for your valuables.
- Review and update regularly: As the value of your belongings changes over time, it’s crucial to review your insurance coverage regularly. Update your policy as needed to reflect any new acquisitions or changes in the value of existing items.
Article Source: https://www.insurancenewsletters.com/