Are You Required to Maintain Home Insurance After Your Home is Paid For?

Residents of Omaha, NE can count on Ed Thompson’s Agency when it comes to securing their household cost-effectively. To us, trustworthiness, honesty, and fairness mean everything in a business. Consequently, we strive to make our clients feel we give them the most reliable and trusted services customized to meet all insurance-related problems.

We provide individual insurance packages for different types of businesses and for local market requirements, based on years of experience specific to the industry and on our extensive market knowledge, which is the guarantee for the protection of your home. Put your burdens aside and sleep easily, knowing that your valued property is in the hands of the Ed Thompson Insurance Agency, which specializes in customized service and quality coverage.

Home Insurance Protection 

According to the practices of most mortgage lenders and, usually, good financial sense, it is wise to maintain home insurance even after you have completely paid off your home. Even though the law does not require you to have insurance coverage when you are done paying off your mortgage, it certainly does make sense to protect such a valuable asset with a good insurance policy.

By partnering with top insurance providers like Ed Thompson Insurance Agency in Omaha, NE, homeowners can create a safety net that will cover their investment in unwanted events like natural disasters, property damage, and liability claims. Home insurance also offers other features, including safety, security, and financial protection when theft, accidents, or lawsuits happen. 

Therefore, when you become a homeowner, having quality home insurance coverage by a company like Ed Thompson Insurance Agency is a means of actively protecting your property and well-being.

Get Quality Insurance Coverage Today

With the assistance of Ed Thompson Insurance Agency’s team right here in Omaha, NE, you will rest assured that you have the best home insurance coverage. We possess a highly trained and competent workforce, and we understand the importance of keeping your house and property safe from theft or damage. We are committed to meeting your individual specifications with our tailored security solutions. We strive for total security and the ability to defend and safeguard all of our valuable assets. Please take advantage of our Ed Thompson Insurance Agency personnel for first-rate house insurance coverage that you can rely on to protect your property.

Common Home Insurance Mistakes to Avoid

When buying a new home, it’s vitally important to find an insurance policy that keeps you protected. At Ed Thompson Insurance Agency, we can make this process easier for Omaha, NE homeowners and ensure things go smoothly for you.

Here are a few mistakes that you need to avoid:

Not Getting Flood Insurance

Do you think that your home insurance policy automatically covers every disaster that could impact your home? It’s a common misconception and a potentially costly one. If a flood hits your home and you don’t have an insurance policy for it, you won’t be covered and will lose a lot of cash. 

Avoiding Sewer Backup Coverage

It’s a situation that has suddenly and tragically impacted many people: a sewer backup problem. If your home experiences one without proper insurance, get ready to pay for all the damage that it causes to your house. Just pay the extra bit to get this protection for your home.

Forgetting to Notify Your Agent

Did something big happen in your life, such as a new child, getting married, or even building a new addition to your house? You need to let your agent know! Failing to do so could result in a serious legal and financial problem and is something you definitely don’t deserve to experience.

Keeping Minimum Liability 

We understand that it’s tempting to keep a minimum liability to reduce your insurance costs. It’s a common mistake that many people make because they don’t think anything will ever happen to them. But when it finally does, you’ll be in a serious situation if your policy protection runs out.

Get Help Today

Contact us at Ed Thompson Insurance Agency to get the help that you need to buy homeowner’s insurance that suits you. When you call us for your Omaha, NE home, you’ll talk with an agent who understands your coverage needs and who can provide the help needed to overcome any potential issues.

Preparing your home for an emergency

Emergencies happen, and they can be very disruptive. Being prepared is the best thing you can do to make sure that if an emergency happens, you are not caught off guard. At Ed Thompson Insurance Agency in Omaha, NE, we know that having the right home insurance is one of the important ways you can be prepared for an emergency.

Nebraska has on average 50–60 tornados every year. Preparing for a tornado means that having a storm cellar or a designated safe place is important. If a storm cellar isn’t possible, then find a place in your home where the family can hunker down in the event of a tornado. This should be a room with no windows if possible on the lowest level of your home. 

Make sure that trees in your yard are well trimmed and that any outdoor furniture is secured or placed in a garage or shed. You want to avoid leaving things out that can turn into debris. 

Make a home inventory so that if your home is hit by a covered hazard, you will be able to submit a claim quickly and easily. Place important documents, medication, and anything that needs to be safe into a to-go bag that can be grabbed and taken with you if you must leave or go into your safe place. Make sure you have copies on the cloud of prescriptions and important documents.

Having a generator can help in the aftermath by providing you with the electricity that you require to run your refrigerator, keep cool or warm, and charge your electronics. 

We Are Here To Help

Call us at Ed Thompson Insurance Agency if you live in or near Omaha, NE. We are here to give you the advice and the right home insurance to offer all the protection you need. 

How Home Renovations Impact Your Home Insurance

Remodeling your family home can be exciting! Before making any major upgrades, however, it would be good to contact your agent from Ed Thompson Insurance Agency in Omaha, NE to see how your planned renovations could impact your insurance coverage. We’ll review your policy with you and discuss any necessary changes to ensure your property continues to enjoy full coverage.

How Home Remodeling Projects Affect Your Insurance

Minor home improvements such as new living room carpeting or repainting your bedrooms probably won’t have much impact on your insurance. Structural improvements to your home, such as adding a new bathroom or remodeling your kitchen, however, can dramatically increase your home’s value. To compensate, you may need to increase your dwelling coverage to adequately cover the new value of your property.

Here are some additional ways home renovations can impact your home insurance:

  • Home improvements that enhance safety, such as upgrading your electrical or plumbing system or adding a new security system to your property could help lower home insurance costs.
  • Adding amenities like a new pool, spa, home gym, or outdoor grilling area for parties can increase your risk of accidents. To compensate, we may recommend increasing your liability coverage to protect you against accidental injuries when hosting special events on your property.
  • Getting a new roof or replacing old windows with new, energy-efficient ones can boost your home’s value as well as improve the safety and security of your property. By discussing these options with your insurer in advance, you’ll have a better idea of how these improvements will impact your insurance coverage.

Renovating Your Home? Update Your Home Insurance!

At Ed Thompson Insurance Agency in Omaha, NE, we can update your home policy to ensure your renovated home is fully protected against any eventuality. Contact us today for all your home insurance needs.  

Tips for Shopping for Homeowners’ Insurance

Shopping for homeowners insurance can be an overwhelming task, but it’s essential to research all of the types of policies so you get fantastic coverage for yourself and your family. Our team at the Ed Thompson Insurance Agency serving residents in the Omaha, NE area understands that each homeowner has unique needs when it comes to their policy.

Here are our expert tips to help make shopping easier:

Determine Your Specific Coverage Needs

First, determine how much coverage you need. Consider the size and type of your home, as well as any special features or assets that need protection. Your policy should cover more than just the structure of your home; it should also consider other properties such as furniture, electronics, jewelry, artwork, and valuable collections. Many policies offer additional coverage for things like flooding, earthquakes, or windstorms.

Understand the Different Types of Homeowners Insurance Policies

There are several types of homeowners insurance policies available, depending on your budget and the amount of coverage you need. Some common policy types include HO-1 through HO-8. Each of these policies offers a different level of coverage, and some are more comprehensive than others. Make sure to research and compare the types of policies that are available to determine which one is right for you.

Considering Your Options

At the Ed Thompson Insurance Agency, we understand that shopping for homeowners insurance in Omaha, NE can be a daunting task. We are here to help guide you through the process and offer advice on which policy is best for your specific needs. Our experienced agents will work with you to find the right coverage options so you can have peace of mind knowing that your home and belongings are protected. Contact us today for more information!

How to prepare your home for a storm

Ed Thompson Insurance Agency, serving the greater Omaha, NE community, has been taking care of your home insurance needs for many years. We know that a severe storm can cause a lot of damage to your home, so it’s important to take steps to protect your property before one may hit.

Here are some tips on how you can prepare your home for a storm:

1. Trim any trees or branches that may pose a risk to your house during the storm.

Falling tree limbs and branches can easily break windows and cause other types of damage, so this is an important first step in preparing for a storm.

2. Check your roof for loose shingles, cracks, or other signs of wear and tear that could lead to leaks or structural issues during the storm.

If you spot any problems with your roof, get them fixed as soon as possible – even if it means temporarily covering the area with a tarp or plywood until you can schedule a full repair.

3. Make sure you have adequate insurance coverage in case your home is damaged by the storm.

You should review your current policy to ensure that it covers any potential damage, and request an increase in coverage if necessary.

4. If possible, take steps to reinforce the exterior of your home before the storm hits, such as putting up shutters on windows or doors and reinforcing doorways with braces or other supports.

This will help protect your property from wind damage and flying debris during the storm.

5. Clear out gutters and downspouts so they’re free of leaves and other debris that could cause problems when water starts to flow.

Clogged gutters and downspouts can lead to roof damage, flooding, or other issues during a storm.

Get Home Insurance Today

Make sure to have insurance coverage for your home to protect your most valuable asset. For more tips, call the Ed Thompson Insurance Agency today. We are proud to serve the Omaha, NE area. 

Why should you get a home insurance plan in Omaha?

If you are going to live in the Omaha, NE area, you may find that owning a home is a good housing option. Since there are so many benefits to owning a home, you will want to know that you are insured as well as possible. There are multiple reasons why someone here should get home insurance if they are going to purchase and own their home. 

Benefit from Coverage

An important reason for anyone to get a home insurance policy is so they can benefit from the appropriate coverage. With a home insurance policy, you will get coverage to protect your dwelling and your personal assets if your home is damaged during a fire or due to bad weather. Also, with home insurance, you get coverage to help reduce your personal liability risks. This can be helpful if there is an accident that results in damage or injuries to another party.

Stay in Good Standing

You also should get home insurance to make sure you are able to stay in good standing. Anyone that buys a home in Omaha needs to understand their personal insurance requirements. This can include having a certain level of coverage set by their mortgage lender or by a home association. If you carry the right level of home insurance, you can avoid penalization due to lack of coverage. 

Get Home Insurance Today

Having home insurance in the Omaha, NE area needs to be a priority for everyone. Once you are ready to start looking for coverage, here, calling the team with Ed Thompson Insurance Agency is a good option. There are a lot of choices to make when looking for this insurance and Ed Thompson Insurance Agency will help you choose a plan that is right for your situation. 

5 Tips for Buying Home Insurance

Owning a home is a huge financial and emotional investment. You want to protect your home and belongings in case of an accident, theft, or natural disaster. That’s where home insurance comes in. Home insurance provides financial protection if your home is damaged or destroyed. With that in mind, Ed Thompson Insurance Agency in Omaha, NE provides this guide in navigating this important coverage.

Here are five tips to help you find the best home insurance policy for your needs:

1. Know What You Need

Before you start shopping for home insurance, it’s important to know what coverage you need. Home insurance policies typically cover the structure of your home, your personal belongings, and liability if someone is injured on your property. You can also purchase additional coverage for things like flooding or earthquakes.

2. Shop Around

Once you know what you need, it’s time to start shopping around. Get quotes from multiple insurance companies and compare their rates and coverage. Be sure to read the fine print to understand what each policy covers.

3. Consider Your Deductible

This is one of the most important factors to consider when shopping for home insurance. Deductibles work like this: if your home is damaged in a covered event, you will have to pay the deductible before your insurance company starts paying for repairs. The higher your deductible, the lower your premium will be. However, you don’t want to set your deductible too high, or you could have to pay more out of pocket if something happens to your home.

4. Read the Fine Print

As with any insurance policy, it’s important to read the fine print before you purchase home insurance. This way, you’ll know exactly what’s covered and what isn’t. Pay attention to exclusions, limits, and conditions so you’re not caught off guard if you need to file a claim.

5. Review Your Policy Regularly

Your needs will change over time, so it’s important to review your home insurance policy regularly to ensure it still meets your needs. If you’ve made any major changes to your home, such as a renovation or addition, be sure to let your insurance company know so they can adjust your coverage accordingly.

Get Home Insurance in Omaha, NE

These are just a few things to remember when shopping for home insurance. Ed Thompson Insurance Agency can help you find the right policy for your needs. Give us a call to get started.

Home Insurance Riders to Consider Investing In

A rider is an additional protection measure that can be added to your home insurance policy in Omaha, NE. These riders allow you to receive compensation after a fire, theft, etc. for items that may potentially exceed your standard policy while also expanding your overall home insurance coverage. Ed Thompson Insurance Agency would like to shed some light on common insurance riders you may want to consider.

Water Backup Coverage

Many homeowners make the mistake of assuming that their general home insurance policy will cover any kind of water and moisture damage. However, most insurers have restrictions on this type of property damage.

For instance, your policy coverage may only be limited to damage caused by a water-using appliance, burst pipe, or the like, whereas damage from a sewer, drain, or sump pump backup is not covered. 

Because of this, you should consider investing in a water backup rider to ensure you are properly protected from an assortment of water-related perils.

Personal Property Protection

Your personal property is covered under your home insurance policy, but this coverage is only up to a certain amount. Therefore, if the personal items under your roof are damaged by a covered event, your policy will pay for repairs or replacement of these items up to the policy limit. In the event the damage exceeds this amount, you will need to pay out of pocket.

With that being said, if you have expensive items in your home, such as jewelry or artwork, you may want to invest in a rider that protects your personal property. You can also invest in individual riders for specific belongings. 

Identity Theft Protection

No one expects to become a victim of identity theft, and if it happens to you, you will likely spend years trying to reverse the damage that occurred. 

The good news is there is an identity theft protection rider that can be added to your home insurance policy to reimburse you for expenses related to undoing the damage from an identity thief. For instance, this rider can help pay for any legal expenses, deal with creditors, and replace documents. 

Anything can happen at any time. If you want to ensure you are properly covered, you should speak to Ed Thompson Insurance Agency, serving Omaha, NE, about a comprehensive home insurance policy that includes the necessary riders based on your individual situation. 

The Importance of Home Insurance

The agents at the Ed Thompson Insurance Agency in Omaha, NE are explaining the importance of home insurance.

You have made a very large investment in your home and will want to ensure that you have an adequate amount of home insurance in place to protect it. You do not want to wait until something horrible happens, such as a fire or tornado, to decide that you need a home insurance policy.

Home Insurance Coverage

Whether you are required by a lender to have a home insurance policy or your home is paid off, you need to have enough home insurance to replace or repair your home if it is destroyed or damaged by a fire, natural disaster, or an act of vandalism.

A home insurance policy normally covers the structure of your home along with any outbuildings, including sheds or decks. It will also cover the items inside your house, such as furniture, appliances, and your personal belongings if they are damaged or destroyed.

If someone robs your house or commits an act of theft while they are at your house, a home insurance policy can help cover the items lost. Your policy will also cover any injuries a person sustains if an incident happens at your house, such as a slip and fall incident, and they become injured and incur medical bills.

A home insurance agent can explain to you other options that are not covered under your regular home insurance policy, such as flood insurance and earthquake insurance. Those are separate policies that you can have tacked on to your main policy.

To obtain the proper amount of home insurance for your situation, you should contact a trusted and experienced home insurance agent, the agents at the Ed Thompson Insurance Agency in Omaha, NE are ready to assist you with all of your home insurance needs.