Navigating the Hard Insurance Market

Hi, Greg and Leslie from G. Lewis Insurance here to give you some valuable information to help with your home insurance.  With the hard market continuing in the insurance industry and carriers still raising rates along with underwriting enforcing stricter guidelines, we wanted to give you some proactive steps you can start today.  Carriers are beginning to use drones to complete exterior home inspections which sometimes leads to policies being cancelled/non-renewed.  To help be better prepared, we have put together a list of items to be on lookout for. 
 
How to prepare for an exterior home inspection

1. Check your roof: Remove twigs and branches from your roof. Make sure no branches/trees are touching the roof or roofline.  Check for any loose, damaged, sinking, or curling roof shingles. Check any ventilation for damage or decay.
2. Gutters: Verify your gutters are securely attached. Remove any debris or blockages. 
3. Windows and doors: Frames should be intact and sealed. Doors should be lockable and secured to frames.
4. Chimney: Ensure no bricks are missing.
5. Stairs: Make sure all stairs have handrails.
6. Exterior surfaces/finishes: Check your home’s siding for cracks, mold, mildew, rot, or anything else that could be seen as a liability. Check for mold or water damage.
7. Foundation: Cracks or an uneven foundation can be seen as a catastrophic claim waiting to happen. This may render your home uninsurable. 
8. Grounds/property: Make sure branches are not touching your roof or hanging over your home. If you have fencing, make sure your gates are properly secured. If you have a detached garage or shed, make sure to give it an interior and exterior DIY inspection as well.

Have questions or want us to look over your policies to make sure you have the best, competitive coverages?  We are happy to help!  Call or email us to schedule an appointment.  We look forward to working with you!