At Bayshield Insurance in San Jose, CA, we’re here to help you make exciting changes in the place where you and your family live by making sure you have the right coverage for your needs.

When Your Home Becomes a Construction Site Due to Renovations

When you’re renovating all or part of your home, from an insurance point of view, there are many things that change. The activities aren’t just your usual family fun and relaxation, and you may have equipment and materials on site that have significant value.

These are just a couple of the many considerations that may require specialized coverage obtained by you or your contractor in order to be fully protected during the renovation timeframe.

Specific Concerns to Talk with Us About Before Your Renovation

If your renovations are being performed by a third party, some of these concerns may be their responsibility. It’s important to be sure, and we can help you make a checklist. In particular, make sure you check their insurance certificates as appropriate. You’ll likely want to have specific insurance that covers materials that might get damaged or stolen before installation.

If you’ve moved out during renovation, coverage for your vacant home is important and often overlooked. If you are acting as your own general contractor, there may be liability coverage concerns as well. Let’s talk about your project, and make sure you’re covered properly until it’s finished and habitable!

Reach Out To Us

Renovations can create significant disruptions in your family’s life on the way to a more enjoyable home. At Bayshield Insurance in San Jose, CA, we’re glad to help you make sure that you’re covered during this time of change, so you’ll confidently move ahead toward the day of celebration! Give us a call today.

Home safety is a major concern no matter who you are and where you live. Making your home soft means protecting it from dangers both outside and inside the home. At Bayshield Insurance in San Jose, CA we make your home a safer place by making sure you have the home insurance you need to protect your assets and your physical home. 

Home Safety Tips

Install a home security system

These days, installing a home security system is a DIY project that just about any homeowner can manage on their own. The prices are affordable and there is a wide selection of types and options. You can be monitored 24/7 or connected easily to the local authorities. You can control your system with your phone and check on your home no matter where you are. It’s all good. 

Use door and window locks

It is surprising how many people don’t lock their doors and windows. They are your first line of defense against outside intruders. They have a lock on them for a reason, and it is vital for your safety that you use them every single day. 

Have motion detector lights

Motion detector lights will turn on when something crosses the line of the light. You can focus the lights so that anyone entering your property will be greeted by bright lights, which is a good safety feature as well as a security option. 

Safety tips inside the home

• Check fire detectors regularly
• Keep stairs and hallways clear
• Place medicine out of reach of children
• Store poison under lock and key
• Be on the lookout for trip hazards
• Keep firearms in a locked safe out of the reach of children

Get Coverage For Your Home

Contact Bayshield Insurance in San Jose, CA when you have questions about home insurance or are ready to get a new home insurance policy. 

When you are the owner of a home, you need to be able to protect it with an insurance policy. If you don’t have home insurance, you will leave yourself open to financial ruin should a serious event happen to or in your home. It’s important to always keep a home insurance policy the entire time that you own your home. If you own a home and don’t have a home policy, give us a call now at Bayshield Insurance in San Jose, CA to get started.

Why Homeowners Need Home Insurance

It Protects Your Home

There are several different kinds of coverage that come in a standard home insurance policy, and one of the most important is coverage for the dwelling. This covers your home against a broad range of disasters, accidents, and other damaging incidents. When one of these covered events happens to your home, your home policy will pay for the necessary repairs to be performed on your home. This can save you many thousands of dollars in expensive repairs. 

It Covers Your Belongings

When you have home insurance, it doesn’t just protect your home. It also protects everything that is inside it. With home insurance, you have protection in case of a damaging event that destroys or damages what you own. When you add together the value of everything inside your home, it adds up to a significant amount. It’s important to keep it all protected with home insurance. Without this insurance, you could be left with nothing and have to start all over again by replacing everything yourself. With home insurance, the policy pays for replacing those items. 

Protect Yourself Financially

It’s important to have this insurance to keep yourself protected financially. If you own a home and don’t have home insurance, don’t wait. Call us at Bayshield Insurance in San Jose, CA.

If you own a home in San Jose, CA or the surrounding area, you can turn to Bayshield Insurance for all of your home insurance needs. We are proud to serve our community and look forward to working with you too. 

Insurance needs for older homes

When it comes to insuring older homes, there are a few factors to consider:

• Aged infrastructure – if your plumbing and electrical systems haven’t been updated, what would be a small problem in a newer home can become a huge undertaking in an older house. The same is true for roofs, kitchens, and bathrooms.
• Lack of materials – when you need a replacement part for one of the systems in your home, it can be difficult to find ones that will sync with what is already in your house. This means that you may have to replace parts that are still working in order to repair non-working functions.
• Historical homes – owning a piece of local history can be very exciting. However, if your home is registered or otherwise listed as a historical property, you may be required to carry specialized insurance depending on the area in which you live.

All in all, older homes carry a lot of charm and make for wonderful family homes. When it comes to selecting your homeowner’s policy, be sure to review your concerns with your insurance agent. You may or may not need specialized insurance, but it’s important to choose the policy that best meets your needs. 

Let us help you find the right protection for your home!

Bayshield Insurance is here to serve all of the insurance needs of the greater San Jose, CA area. We would welcome the opportunity to work with you. Give our office a call today!

Typically, homeowners insurance covers damage to both the interior and exterior of a residence. It also covers loss as a result of theft and personal liability in the event that a guest is injured on your property. It also covers damage to the personal belongings of your guest while on your property. Although homeowners’ insurance covers many things, there are things that aren’t covered under a homeowners’ policy.

What’s NOT Covered Under a Homeowners Policy?

Your homeowner’s policy will not cover damage that occurs from natural wear and tear and neglect. This includes rust, rot, and mold, as well as damage from termites, insects, and rodents. Damage as a result of smoke and smog from industrial and agricultural operations is also not covered. Homeowners should also note that they may need to purchase a separate policy to cover artwork, collectibles, and valuable jewelry. Identity theft isn’t covered under a homeowners insurance policy either. Homeowners should consider their unique situations and speak with one of our team members at Bayshield Insurance. Separate coverage may be needed if you have expensive jewelry or art, or you live in an area prone to flooding.  One of our team members can discuss what’s covered under a homeowners policy as well as what items might need to be considered for coverage under a separate policy.

Certain Natural Disasters

A homeowners insurance policy will not cover damage caused by tsunamis, nuclear disasters, earthquakes, and floods. Conversely, homeowners insurance will cover damage caused by explosions, lightning, hail, windstorms, hurricanes,  and cold weather. The coverage falls under three categories that include an actual cash value, replacement cost, as well as extended replacement cost. Our team at Bayshield Insurance is ready, willing, and able to answer all of your questions about homeowners insurance coverage for our San Jose, CA customers. Give us a call.

Purchasing a new home is a great time to review your security protocols and supplies. The following list includes important considerations for protecting your family in your new home.

Home Security and Monitoring

Current systems are more affordable and accessible to homeowners than ever before. Not only can you keep an eye on your home remotely, record video footage, and lock up while away from home, you may be eligible for a homeowner’s insurance discount for your diligence. 

Create a Home Inventory 

Make sure it is up to date and includes pictures, receipts if available, and serial numbers if relevant. Keep a copy somewhere outside of your home. Cell phones and home inventory apps make this process more accessible than ever. 

Have a Disaster Plan

California is no stranger to natural disasters. Learn the risks in San Jose, CA, and plan accordingly. A few basic things every disaster plan should include: 

• Your evacuation route.
• Your family communication plan.
• Shelter options for fire, flood, or earthquake.
• Accommodations for your family’s special needs (medical, dietary, cultural considerations, pets, kids, disability)

Have an Emergency Kit

Your kit should fit into one or two easily carried containers and include items like the following:

• Water – a gallon per person for several days for hydration and sanitation.
• Food – a three-day non-perishable supply with a can opener if necessary.
• A radio, hand-crank preferably.
• Well-stocked first aid kit.
• Dust masks/COVID masks.
• A wrench or pliers to turn off utilities.
• Maps in case your phone service goes down.
• Any specialty items your family needs, like prescriptions, formula, essential documents, and assistive devices.

Review your Homeowners Policy

A new home is an excellent time to assess your insurance needs and ensure you are adequately protected. Your local agent is the best tool you have to ensure you are getting the most for your premium dollars. Stop by or call Bayshield Insurance today to discuss your options. 

Protecting your home is one of the most important things you can do for your financial security. Homes are one of the largest investments most people make, and it provides a home and a way to increase your wealth. Having the right insurance, one that offers enough coverage to protect your assets, is vital. Your trusted independent insurance agent can make sure you are correctly insured. In San Jose, CA, Bayshield Insurance is committed to making sure our clients have the right insurance products for their needs and that we are there to answer any questions they have.

Owner neglect

When you own a home, it comes with a lot of work. It would be best if you made sure the exterior and interior are maintained, you do safety checks, and you make sure any pests that may damage your home are dealt with. Your insurance company has the expectation you will do all of these things. If you don’t, and you file a claim, you will be disappointed. 

Sewer backup

What could be more disgusting than a sewer backup? Not much! Imagine your insurance rejects your claim, and that is even more disgusting. This can be solved simply by adding a sewer backup rider to your policy. 

Flooding

Flooding is one of the most damaging natural disasters, and it happens all over the country. According to FEMA, even one inch of water in your home can cause more than $20,000 in damage. The bad news is, home insurance does not cover flooding. The good news is you can buy a flood insurance policy to protect both your home and your contents. 

Earth movement

This includes earthquakes, mudslides, and sinkholes, and none of them are covered. Again, you can buy a separate policy to cover this hazard. 

Contact Bayshield Insurance in San Jose, CA for all your home insurance needs.

Most of the exclusions that you will find in an insurance policy in San Jose, CA are less about the hazard itself than the cause of the hazard. So fire is usually going to be covered, but there are some major exceptions. For instance:

• If you leave your home unoccupied for long periods of time, you may have your claim denied. In an unoccupied home, problems are allowed to go unchecked for months at a time, which can constitute negligence to your insurance provider.
• Failing to cover your home at its full value. You may have your claim denied if you try to claim the full value of your home, but you’re still insured at what it was worth a year ago.
• You started the fire yourself. This does not necessarily mean attempted fraud or anything like that. It could simply be carelessness on the homeowner’s part. If the fire started because you were playing with fireworks in the garage, your claim might not be honored.
• If you ignore important repairs or serious dangers for long periods of time, that could constitute negligence. For instance, if you knew that you had faulty wiring in your home, but you did nothing to fix the problem, then your insurance provider might take issue with that.

For most fires, you will be covered, but there are exceptions. If you’re looking to buy home insurance in San Jose, CA, get in touch with Bayshield Insurance. Get on the Bayshield Insurance website or call us to see what we can do to get you a good deal on a great insurance policy.

When you are in the San Jose, CA area, owning a home can be a great long-term investment and provide you with a consistent place to call home. If you are going to purchase a home here, it continues to be very important that you have it properly covered with insurance. While it will always give you great and important coverage, there are also several situations when someone will be required to carry a home insurance policy. 

When Taking Out a Mortgage

The cost of housing in the San Jose area continues to be much higher than the national average. This makes the need to take out a mortgage an important one for most property buyers here. When you purchase a home here with a mortgage, the lender will want you to protect their collateral. Due to this, many lenders will require that you take out a home insurance policy and escrow for payments each month.

When in an Association

You may also be required to get home insurance if your home is in an association. Many San Jose property owners are subject to rules set forth by a home or condo association. If you are, you must follow them so you can stay in good standing. One way to do this is by getting a home insurance policy, which will be required by most associations. 

As you are shopping for a home and insurance policy in the San Jose, CA area, it would be a good idea to speak with someone that is experienced and can provide great guidance and support. The team at Bayshield Insurance can help you understand all of your needs and options. Based on this assessment, Bayshield Insurance can also help you build and choose your situation’s ideal policy. 

You cannot predict when and how severe a disaster will affect your home, but you can plan for how you will recover. This is exactly why most people insure their homes. If you’re interested in keeping your home in San Jose, CA protected, consider checking out what BayShield Insurance has to offer.

Any Kind of Disaster

You never know when mother nature will rock your home and cause damage, whether to the structure or stuff inside. Home insurance can include coverage up to a certain amount when this happens. Please note that home insurance typically excludes flooding and earthquakes. Speak with our agents about those types of coverage.

An unfortunate disaster doesn’t always come from mother nature, but also people. Your property could become the target for vandalism or theft that could leave you in a financial rut. Depending on the exact terms or coverage limits, it would be wise to have a home insurance policy ready for this.

Your Liability

While your home is yours, there is still a legal liability for when you invite people within. Suppose you are found liable for an injury while on your property, your insurance would pay for the damages up to a certain amount instead of it coming straight from your pocket. Limits can be raised much higher than the default if your property value and lifestyle deems it necessary.

Staying Within Terms of your Mortgage

More likely than not, the terms of your mortgage will obligate you to maintain homeowner’s insurance at the risk of foreclosure. Usually, this will be done at the lender’s end, but if not, you will have to maintain your own policy.

I think you get the gist of why you need home insurance. As shopping around for a policy in San Jose, CA is quite tedious with all the options available, we’d recommended checking out BayShield Insurance to see if we have a plan that fits your lifestyle.