What To Ask When Purchasing Homeowners Insurance

Homeowners insurance is very valuable to have to ensure that your finances do not take a hit due to unexpected damages to your property. Before purchasing homeowners insurance there are some questions you should ask and research in order to get the best deal. This article will take a look at 10 important questions you should ask before making a final decision on a new homeowners insurance policy.

1. Am I getting the best deal?

Shop around for the best deal when looking for homeowners insurance. Insurance companies are competitive and will offer different deals to different people, so make sure you get quotes from multiples providers.

2. Do I have a security system?

Having a security system may get you a discount with certain insurance companies. Before purchasing homeowners insurance you should look into which providers offer the best discounts.

3. Can I get a discount for my age?

Yes, insurers often offer discounts to seniors. Some insurance companies start giving discounts to those that are over the age of 50. It never hurts to ask if you are eligible.

4. Do I have a working smoke alarm?

A working smoke alarm in your home is not only protecting you and your loved ones but it also can get you a discount on your homeowners insurance. Some companies will knock off 10% off your premium for having a working smoke alarm.

5. How hard is it to file a claim?

This is the most important aspect in choosing the right insurance company. If the homeowners insurance company takes too long or is often willing to fight you until you give up when you file a claim then you are probably looking at the wrong company. When you need the money for repairs the last thing you want is a hard time filing the claim. You should ask around and see if you can get any positive feedback on an insurance company's claim process before you decide to purchase your policy.

6. What kind of policy do I need?

There are many different types of homeowners insurance policies. Before shopping for homeowners insurance you should see what coverage you need and figure out all what you want the policy to cover. Providing the insurance agent with as much information as you can may help them to provide you with a more accurate quote.

7. How much can you afford?

This may seem obvious but you need to be able to afford your policy before you can purchase it. Picking an insurance premium that will set you in debt will hurt you in the long run. Look for a plan that fits your financial budget. Look for a plan that has a higher deductible with a lower premium to save some money. Increasing your deductible by just a few hundred dollars can make a significant difference in your homeowners insurance premium.

8. Does your homeowners insurance plan cover water damage?

Flooding and water damage are two of the most common problem when purchasing a house, they are unexpected and can be very costly. It is important to understand that water damage coverage and flood damage coverage are not the same thing. Homeowners insurance will not cover damages that were the result of a flood (water that made contact with the ground prior to entering your home). You must purchase flood insurance separately. Rule of thumb: You should purchase flood insurance and homeowners insurance to make sure you are covered in all aspects of water damage to your home.

9. Did I just update the electrical system and/or plumbing?

If you just updated the electrical system and/or plumbing system you could be entitled to saving hundreds on your premium. Both of these updates can prevent possible costly damages and will make your home cheaper to insure. Remember to include any updates or recent repairs when getting a homeowners insurance quote.

10. What coverage are you really getting?

Make sure you know exactly what you are purchasing when you choose a policy. For example, many people do not realize that homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. You should always look at what the exclusions are to make sure you are purchasing the right policy for you.

What You Need To Know About "Black Mold"

The color of mold alone is not an indication of toxicity. The toxic "black mold" has been publicized frequently, however, you should not always believe what you hear on the news. Stachybotrys is the type of mold they are referring to with the term "black mold". The media explains that this mold is deadly and while it can cause health risks for certain people, there are many other types of mold that can cause similar side effects.

The term "toxic black mold" was popularized by news reporters in New York who were referring to an outbreak of a medical condition found in several children from a small neighborhood.

Stachybotrys is the type of mold that most people refer to when they say "black mold". Mold can come in many colors. When it comes to mold color and toxicity are not related. When a homeowner sees mold that is black in color they immediately assume they now have "black mold". This is not always the case. It is important to know that the longer the mold has been growing on a surface the more dangerous for your health it will get over time.

Three Stages of Mold Growth

Penicillium and Aspergillus are common first-stage molds that can begin to grow within 24 hours of the introduction of moisture to a nutrient base.

These two molds are some of the most common molds found in the world. Aspergillus is a first-stage mold and ranges in color from green to black.

If moisture is sufficient, secondary molds are likely to appear, including Cladosporium, Alternaria and some varieties of Aspergillus.

Over time with continued ample moisture, the tertiary molds develop such as Stachybotrys and Chaetomium.

All molds can trigger allergic reactions and sinusitis. As well, all molds can trigger asthma attacks.

Is Mold Toxic?

First, the term "toxic mold" is not accurate because mold itself is not toxic or poisonous; although, certain molds can be toxigenic, meaning that they produce toxins called mycotoxins.

It is the mycotoxins of Stachybotrys that are believed to be the key to this mold's toxicity to humans, and the theory makes sense, though as we said it's unproven. Stachybotrys produces trichothecenes, which are suspected of being able to cause bleeding in the lungs. It also emits an enzyme which digests protein (a protease), which some research suggests may combine with trichothecenes to wreak even more lung havoc.

Mycotoxins are believed to be part of the coating on mold spores, meaning that in the case of Stachybotrys the spores need to become airborne in the living space for people to inhale them, before they can be affected by toxins.

Earlier we mentioned that stachybotrys is slow to grow. That's because it is what's known as a "tertiary" mold, meaning that it arrives as the third stage of mold growth in an ongoing infestation. It requires a stable, very moist environment with the right food in order to thrive.

Many molds produce mycotoxins, whose purpose is primarily self-defense. Penicillin, for example, is a mycotoxin from the penicillium chrysogenum fungus. It's a powerful antibiotic, because bacteria are molds' chief competitors for food. Take a petri dish with a thriving bacteria culture in it, drop it in the right species of Penicillium, and the bacterial culture will die off in a circle around the fungus.

Aflatoxin B1, a known carcinogen, is a product of Aspergillus flavus, which grows commonly on stored nuts, grains and peanut butter. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has this to say about toxic mold:

"Certain molds are toxigenic, meaning they can produce toxins (mycotoxins), but the molds themselves are not toxic, or poisonous. Hazards presented by molds that may produce mycotoxins should be considered the same as other common molds which can grow in your house or workplace. Contradicting research results exist regarding whether toxigenic mold found indoors causes unique or rare health conditions such as bleeding in the lungs. Research is ongoing in this area. Mold growing is buildings, whether is it stachybotrys chartarum (stachybotrys atra) or another mold, indicates that there is a problem with water or moisture. This is the first problem that needs to be addressed."