Walt Humphries

No one should rush into purchasing their first home- or choosing their first homeowners insurance policy. You shouldn't purchase a homeowners policy until you find an agency you are comfortable with and a policy that you are confident in. Did you know that homeowners' insurance policy covers much more than just your actual home? Typically included in your homeowners coverage are protections for…

• The Structure of Your Home
  Usually your homeowner's policy will protect you from any damage that may occur that damages your property. Often, policies will protect you from loss that results from lightening, fire, theft, vandalism, smoke, etc.


• Your Personal Property
  Your personal possessions and property are usually protected within your homeowners insurance policy. In order to purchase the proper amount of coverage, you, as a homeowner, should keep a running inventory of your possessions. Make sure you take into account additions and deletions from your possession tally. Being diligent in keeping track of your things will save time you time if you actually have to file a claim.


• Liability
  Your homeowners policy also offers protection from costs associated with liability claims. Should an injury occur on your property, the liability coverage within your homeowners policy can take care of possible medical costs.

As a Pennsylvania homeowner, you should make sure that you are protected. If you have questions about your homeowners policy, or are unsure about your coverage, contact Humphries Insurance today. At out Virtual Insurance Office, you can learn more about your options, and get a free homeowners insurance quote.

When building a home, there's a lot to think about. At first, you have to focus on the large scale and find the right lot of land and the right contractor. Once the big decisions are made, you must decide on which doors look best, and what landscaping will work with your home's design. In all your excitement about your new home you may forget one important piece- a sprinkler system.

Some lawmakers in Pennsylvania believe the sprinkler system should be mandatory in all homes in the Keystone State. Although some local contractors feel that placing sprinkler systems in home is ill-advised due to possible accidents, a Pennsylvania state advisory board has approved the proposal to install systems in new single or double family homes built after January 2011. The new sprinkler systems may be somewhat costly, and may require an alternate water source- all of which can be sorted out buy your builder.

Although your builder can install the system the way you would like it, at a cost that you can afford, how would these sprinkler systems affect your homeowners insurance? Because of the sprinkler systems, a family may file claims as a result from any accidental activation of the water. Despite a possible increase in claims, insurance companies support the mandatory installation of sprinkler systems. These systems are a huge life-saving tool, with statistics showing that deaths resulting from residential fires where a sprinkler system is installed and working were slim to none. Your homeowners insurance premiums may also drop with the installation of a sprinkler system.

If you would like to learn more about your Pennsylvania homeowners insurance options, visit the Humphries Insurance Virtual Insurance Office right now.

With a new marriage and the start of a family, there is no question about it: you need more space. Thankfully, if you have good credit and stable employment, there has never been a better time to buy a home. With the current state of the economy, the real estate market has gotten pretty affordable. But, when you decide on your dream home, you will have the necessary expenses that accompany it: including homeowners insurance.

Often, talk about homeowners insurance begins being discussed when couples take the first steps toward beginning their lives together. With new steps in life, come more important purchases- like wedding rings, and expensive household items. The more expensive the purchase, the more you may feel the need to gain some extra protection for your new possessions. Since a home is usually the largest purchase a couple will ever make, it is typical to think about how to best keep it safe.

When you purchase a home, the value an insurer places on it will typically be less than market value. Although you may be concerned that your insurance may not protect you fully- don’t worry: your insurance won’t cover the land your house is located on and only needs to be sufficient enough to cover any possible repair, or replacement of the home. As you complete home improvement projects and make additions to your home, be sure that you are increasing your coverage to account for the increased value of your home. Be sure to choose a high deductible for your homeowners policy, as a high deductible will decrease the cost of your coverage.

Think you may need a bit more help deciding on your coverage needs? Humphries Insurance is here for you. Call us today at 1.800.292.8816 or visit our Virtual Insurance Office to learn more about your coverage options. Eager to protect your home immediately? You can get a free online homeowners insurance quote right now.

Marriage is a joyous occasion filled with all kinds of new and exciting experiences. In addition to the love and security that marriage brings, it also brings new responsibilities and concerns. If you have recently gotten married, you should be sure to take another look at your insurance policies.

When you get married, auto insurance is one of the things that couples typically combine. Chances are, you are both bringing your own cars into the marriage, with both having their own respective insurance policies. When you reevaluate your auto insurance plans, you may realize that you are now eligible for a discount. This possible discount provides you with the perfect opportunity to take another look at your existing coverages in order to see which company offers the best combination of price and service.

Now that you are combining households, it is also a perfect time to reevaluate your homeowners insurance coverage. In addition to combining plans or taking out a new plan to cover your new home, you may want to consider increasing your insurance for any new valuables received as wedding gifts.

After getting married, it is also important to review your life insurance needs. Becoming a couple means sharing responsibility with and for someone else. Life insurance is an excellent way to ensure that the surviving spouse is taken care of in the event of the premature death of the other spouse.

You've just made a new start, why not take another look at your insurance options? Humphries Insurance Group can walk you through your insurance options and make you aware of any discounts that may be available to married couples. Visit http://www.humphriesinsurance.com/ to learn more or to get a free quote.

Did you know that lots of homeowners policies won’t cover swimming pools due to their high risk of accidents? This goes especially for pools that include slides and/or diving boards. Fortunately, you can purchase umbrella insurance or excess liability insurance to cover your swimming pool when your homeowners policy does not include it. However, it’s still a good idea to keep your pool as safe as it can possibly be.

Here are a few tips on making sure your pool area is a place for fun, not worry:

• Possibly the Number One Rule: never, ever leave children unsupervised near the pool, not even for a quick moment.

• If your pool has suctions of any kind, warn people and especially children not to go near them. They can be very dangerous.

• Take precautions for children that don’t know how to swim (floaties, etc.).

• Install or build a fence around your pool and always make sure it’s locked. If you have a pool, a fence is an absolute must.

• Excessive alcohol and swimming don’t mix! If you or a guest is drunk, they should not go in the pool.

• While supervising teenagers around the pool is unnecessary, it’s a good idea to at least be at home if there are more than three or four using the pool.

• Never dive into the shallow end or allow anyone else to. Warn children of this danger especially.

• Make sure your pool is tightly covered when it’s off-season.

• Consistently check your pool for dangerous things that may be at the bottom (glass, rubber, rope, etc.).

A pool is a place to have fun, not accidents. Make sure to follow these safety rules along with many others that come with the responsibility of having a swimming pool. We suggest that if your homeowners policy doesn’t cover your pool, you get umbrella coverage to back yourself up. If another parent’s child were to get injured at your pool, it could cost you thousands of dollars.

Umbrella coverage also protects you for a number of other things. To learn more about excess liability insurance, contact us today! We’re Humphries Insurance, an independent agency based in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania.