At Giles & Iten Insurance in Surprise, AZ, we understand your desire, as a homeowner, to protect the structure of your home in case of a peril. However, we also know that you not only want to cover the house itself but also want to cover all the assets you own within your home. Still, how much coverage should you carry when it comes to home insurance coverage for your personal property (contents)?

When choosing a homeowners insurance policy, it is essential to do a full assessment of your home’s value. In this assessment, you will consider your home’s size and age, roof, and other features.

Calculating the Value of Your Home

When considering your home’s value, you must factor in the risk associated with living at your location. For instance, if you are in an area prone to flooding or earthquakes, you may have to consider purchasing additional coverage for those perils if not required by state or local laws or your mortgage company.

Then there is the factor of your budget. How much insurance coverage can you afford to pay for? A standard homeowner policy will allocate up to 70% of the dwelling coverage for your personal items within the home. For example, if your home is valued at $300,000, your personal property coverage could be up to $210,000. Suppose you have a wealth of items that supersede the $210,000 in personal property. In that case, you may consider adding additional coverage to your policy. Several major insurance agencies offer an extended replacement policy to customize your coverage up to 125% or more above the original amount of coverage.

It is important to inventory your personal belongings and adjust the amount whenever you purchase larger items in your home, such as TVs, computers, and appliances. You must also decide if you want your personal property claims settled on an actual cash value amount based on the depreciated value of your items or on a replacement cost basis based on today’s rates.

Call Us Today!

At Giles & Iten Insurance in Surprise, AZ, we get it. There is so much to consider when looking for the best homeowner insurance to suit you and your family’s needs. That is why we have licensed, trained experts who are knowledgeable and will help you make a well-informed decision and take the guesswork out of your home insurance policy. Cover your home and everyone and everything in it by giving us a call at (623) 201-8570.

Benefits of Having Home Insurance in Surprise, AZ

Property owners in the Surprise, AZ area have undoubtedly recognized the benefits of their investment over recent years. When buying a home here, it’s critical that you obtain suitable insurance for it. Several advantages and benefits come with having a home insurance policy in this part of Arizona.

Cover Your Home

Getting home insurance in this region of Arizona can protect your home from significant damage caused by factors such as bad weather, fire, or vandalism. Home insurance can provide the necessary financial support at such times, making it a reliable investment.

Manage Liability Risk

A home insurance plan can also help manage liability risks. Owning a home comes with multiple risks, including the possibility you will be held liable if an accident occurs on your property. The right insurance plan can provide you with the support you need to cover damages associated with any claim.

Homeownership can be an optimal housing choice if you’re in the Surprise, AZ, area. If you’re aiming to protect your home, one of the best decisions you can make is to call our team at Giles & Iten Insurance. We appreciate the value of this protection, and we are dedicated to assisting you in building your next policy. This helps ensure that you remain adequately covered and supported at all times.

When you select a home insurance policy in Surprise, AZ, it’s essential that you take all the pertinent considerations into account. At Giles & Iten Insurance, we’re here to answer any questions you have about your insurance options.

Here are four important home insurance considerations to take into account. 

Coverage for liability expenses

Home insurance providers typically offer a variety of liability coverage options. It’s best to invest in added liability protection to ensure your assets will be adequately protected in the event of a lawsuit. 

Coverage for personal property

When you buy home insurance, it’s a good idea to have the value of your most expensive possessions appraised. This way, you can be sure that you have enough personal property coverage on your policy to cover the full value of the belongings in your home.

Homeowners with especially expensive items like high-end electronics and jewelry might need more personal property coverage than a standard policy offers. 

Coverage for outbuildings

Do you have outbuildings such as a shed or a guest cottage on your property? It would be best if you didn’t assume that your home insurance covers these outbuildings until you’ve read the fine print.

A standard home insurance policy might limit coverage to the main house alone. If you want your outbuildings to be covered, make sure you discuss this possibility with your home insurance provider. 

Home safety features

Home insurance providers typically perform home inspections before offering insurance coverage.

You might be told by an insurance provider you have to invest in some safety upgrades before you’ll be eligible for insurance coverage. For example, you might need to have repairs done on your plumbing system or have deadbolt locks installed on your doors to get home insurance coverage. 

Shopping around and getting quotes from insurance providers is important when buying home insurance in Surprise, AZ. Call us at Giles & Iten Insurance to get a quote on a policy. 

Ready for summer in Surprise, AZ? You might be, but your home needs a little help! In addition to finding a good insurance policy through Giles & Iten Insurance, you also need to take a few steps to weatherproof your home.

Here are a few ways to prepare your home for the summer heat.

1. Insulation

Adding an additional insulative layer can help you to lower your energy bills because the air conditioner won’t need to run as frequently. The good news is that you may not even need to do this for every area of your home, so you can also save on the upfront cost of insulation.

2. Air Filter

Your home’s air filter needs to be replaced before summer starts. Why? Collected debris can reduce the amount of air that can flow freely throughout your home, which could mean that the air conditioner needs to stay on longer than necessary.

3. Ceiling Fans

During warmer months, it’s best to rotate your ceiling fans counterclockwise. This will help direct the airflow downward and optimize the cool air distribution in each room when your AC is on.

4. Thermostat

Be sure to adjust your thermostat before temperatures rise to ensure your air conditioner is functioning correctly.

5. Cleaning

With all of the additional airflow introduced into your home during the summer, you will want to clean off excess dust around your home so that you aren’t sneezing whenever the fan is on.

Summer will be blazing hot in Surprise, AZ! After your home is ready for summertime, be sure to contact Giles & Iten Insurance for more information about homeowners insurance.

One of the reasons why water damage and mold can occur in a home is that cracks in a home’s siding allow water or moisture to enter. Ensuring your siding is in good condition now and for years to come is one of the best ways to prevent this issue. Here at Giles & Iten Insurance, serving the greater Surprise, AZ area, we want to help you learn how to care for your siding and help it last. Here are a few tips that may help you extend the lifespan of your home’s siding. 

Inspect Your Siding At Least Once Every Season

At least once every season, you should walk around your home and examine your siding. Look for loose panels or boards, cracking or chipping, or signs of water damage. This should also be completed after large storms. 

Have Your Siding Professionally Cleaned Annually

Another way to extend the lifespan of your siding is to have your siding professionally cleaned at least once a year. Removing dirt, pollen, dust, and other residue helps your siding to look its best while also helping it last. 

Be Mindful Of What Is Up Against Your Home’s Siding

The final tip to help extend the lifespan of your home’s siding is to be mindful of what you place on your home’s siding. Placing items such as a hot barbeque or grill against your siding can damage it. Always be aware of what you put against the siding and ensure it will not damage the siding. 

Properly caring for your siding is one of the best ways to help your siding to last. This can help prevent water damage or mold that occurs when your siding is old, cracked, or worn. At Giles & Iten Insurance, serving the residents of Surprise, AZ, we want to help you care for your home and ensure you have the right home insurance policy. If you are in the market for a new insurance policy, call us today, and let’s work together to find you the right insurance policy. 

Insurance companies pay close attention to the roof of a home when underwriting a homeowners’ insurance policy. Of course, if your roof is in the best possible condition, you will qualify for ideal coverage at the most affordable price. However, a bad roof does not necessarily mean that you will not be able to obtain adequate coverage for your home.

If you have questions about insuring a home with a bad roof, Giles & Iten Insurance of Surprise, AZ is here to help. In fact, we take the time to work with every homeowner to ensure they get the best possible coverage for their unique home.

Homes With an Old or Damaged Roof

Insurance companies prefer homes to have newer roofs, but you will not automatically be denied coverage just because your home has an older roof. With that being said, the older the roof is, the more difficult it will be to get homeowners’ insurance coverage.

The reason for this is that an older roof is a greater risk, which is what insurance companies like to avoid. A roof that is damaged or worn is more likely to cause problems that will lead to claims.

Time for a Roof Replacement

The condition of the roof on your home will have a significant impact on the amount of money you will have to pay for homeowners’ insurance. If your roof is considerably old or has sustained damage, it may be worth it to invest in a professional roof replacement. Take the time to weigh the cost of a roof replacement with the additional expense of insuring a bad roof.

If you are unsure if you need to replace your roof before applying for homeowners insurance, contact Giles & Iten Insurance of Surprise, AZ. Our team will be glad to address all of your concerns. Give us a call today.

Home insurance is one of the best and most reliable protection of your home. Even though it is not required in the state of Arizona, it is still recommended to carry it to protect your home and yourself. There are many myths associated with home insurance, and Giles & Iten Insurance, an insurance company that services clients in Surprise, AZ and other nearby towns, decided to provide a list of a few of them: 

Myths About Home Insurance

Here are a few most common existing misconceptions about home insurance:

• Home insurance is required by law. First, this requirement depends on the state. There are many states that do not require home insurance, and the state of Arizona is one of them. Therefore, if you own a home in Arizona, it is your personal decision, whether to buy it or not. 
• It is expensive to carry home insurance. Yes, in general, home insurance is not cheap. However, many insurance companies constantly offer different discounts to make home insurance more affordable. 
• Home insurance covers flooding. Many homeowners think that they do not have to purchase additional flood insurance – their homes will be protected. However, in reality, floods and damaged caused by them are not covered by standard home insurance. In this case, to be properly covered, they need to purchase separate flood insurance. 

There are many other moths associated with home insurance that should be debunked. If you live in Surprise, AZ or any other surrounding area, you should contact Giles & Iten Insurance for more information. Our insurance company specializes in all types of insurance, including home insurance as well.  

Most types of insurance are not fixed at one amount. They are designed to be flexible and to grow and change as your needs grow and change. Home insurance is no exception. It needs to be reviewed. How often will depend on a few different things? When you feel the need to review your home insurance, Giles & Iten Insurance in Surprise, AZ will be there to help you. For insurance with a personal touch, we are exactly what you need. We strive to match our customers with the right policy at the best price. 

When you get your home insurance renewal it comes with a declaration page. Start your review there. Look at the amount of coverage. Does it make sense? Especially look at your liability coverage. Would it cover any potential legal action against you? Check out the deductible and all the other numbers. Before you renew your policy, discuss all the figures with your local independent insurance agent. Let them know if anything has changed since you took out the policy. 

If you have made a major upgrade to your property, the replacement value may have significantly increased. Things like a new kitchen, adding a bathroom, finishing the basement or attic, or adding an extension will all affect the replacement value of your home. 

Have you added any expensive content? Received an expensive piece of jewelry or art? Purchased antiques or oriental rugs? Any of these may exceed the content coverage you currently have. 

Have you added any safety equipment to your home? A home security system, smoke detectors, or carbon monoxide detectors? Have you replaced your roof? You may be eligible for a discount if you have done one or more of these things. 

When you are ready to review your home policy give Giles & Iten Insurance in Surprise, AZ a call. We will be happy to look things over for you. 

Do you plan on traveling soon? Are you worried about leaving your home unattended in Surprise, AZ? We understand. It can be stressful to go on vacation or out of town for business with your home left behind unoccupied. However, there are few things you can do to reduce the stress of leaving behind a vacant home. Read on to learn about three tips brought to you by Giles & Iten Insurance.

1. Install Outdoor Security Lighting

Did you know that burglars will pass on your home if the outside is flooded with light? That’s right. They’d rather break into a dark home so people won’t notice them. To deter would-be-burglars, shop around for some security lighting for the back, front, and side yards. You can opt to have the lights on a touch timer or opt to keep them on at all times when it’s dark. Either way, outdoor lights will scare thieves away.

2. Get a House Sitter

Before you leave on vacation, get a professional house sitter. The cost is affordable and well worth it. You search online for house sitters near you or ask around with friends and family. There’s bound to be someone who would love to watch your home while you’re away.

3. Alert Your Neighbors

It’s a good idea to alert your neighbors that you’ll be out of town. This way, they’ll be more apt to notice if something seems wrong. A neighbor or house sitter will be able to keep an eye on your property, collect your mail, and make sure you have a stress free vacation.

Even when applying the tips listed above, a break-in or other crisis could occur. For this reason, it’s important to have a home insurance policy in Surprise, AZ. To learn more about obtaining this and other policies, contact the friendly team at Giles & Iten Insurance. 

Whether you own or rent your home in California or Arizona, you probably noticed that part of your policy talks about liability insurance. While it is obvious why you need to insure the value of your home and possessions,  it seems less obvious why you would need to have liability insurance for your own home. 

What is liability insurance? 

If something that you do or fail to do causes physical injury or property damage to someone else, you may be liable for paying for damages. It doesn’t matter whether you intended to cause them harm.

Under civil tort law, the victim only has to prove that you failed to meet some duty of care. For instance, you need to keep your walk cleared so that people can safely walk past and so delivery workers can access your mailbox. Without liability insurance, any injuries caused by your negligence might have to come straight from you. Most people would have a hard time paying for a hospital stay out of pocket. 

What does liability insurance cover? 

When you get your policy at Giles & Iten Insurance in Surprise, AZ, you will see that it is a contract. You pay a certain amount for your insurance premium in return for a specific level of protection. There will be a top amount of coverage, and your policy will cover everything from medical bills to property repairs to attorney fees.

If you live in Arizona or California, the last thing you need is a surprise bill. There is no way to predict when an accident might happen. If you want to make sure you have enough liability protection, or if you have any other questions about insurance, please feel free to contact Giles & Iten Insurance in Surprise, AZ to see how we can help.