Press Room

Is your home adequately insured?

Money Management

Monthly financial advice
from the MACPA

For release: September 2007

For most people, a home and its contents are their most valuable assets. To protect them, it’s important to be sure you have sufficient homeowner’s insurance.

If it’s been a while since you’ve assessed your insurance needs, it may be time to reexamine your coverage. That’s particularly true if real estate values have risen in your area or if you’ve made major home improvements, according to the Maryland Association of CPAs.

Review your policy

Unfortunately, when a disaster occurs, homeowners often find that their insurance coverage isn’t adequate to cover all their costs. To ensure that doesn’t happen, review your policy when it comes up for renewal, after a major addition or renovation, or when you’ve installed a new burglar or fire alarm system. You should also do so after a life change, such as marriage or divorce, when the contents of your home may change.

Picking the policy

CPAs recommend that you consider what kind of repayment you want to receive for damages.

A cost-value policy will reimburse you for the price you paid for an item. However, the insurance company will depreciate that price based on the age and condition of the item, which means you’ll likely receive less than you need to buy a new replacement.

Replacement cost coverage is more expensive than a cost-value policy, but it will provide you with the amount you need for repairs or replacement.

A guaranteed or extended replacement cost policy pays whatever is necessary to rebuild a home as it was before a disaster, even if that amount is more than the policy limit.

Insurance companies may place limitations on any policy, so find out precisely what your policy promises. Remember, too, that if you live in a flood zone or in an area subject to frequent hurricanes, it may cost more to cover these catastrophes.

Create an inventory

If disaster strikes, it’s helpful to have both written and photographic inventories of the contents of your home that include all home contents -— furniture, electronics, artwork and collectibles -— along with estimated replacement values. Ask the insurance company if you need a separate rider for valuables such as jewelry, art, antiques and computers.

Be sure, too, that the company is aware of new additions or renovations to your home, which may expand the square footage that must be covered or raise the value of the property. In your policy review, make sure that it reflects overall changes in real estate values in your area. The same is true of any possessions whose value may have increased since they were first insured. You may need to call in an appraiser to determine the current worth for your home or its contents in order to change your policy.

To speed the process after a disaster, make sure your policy, insurance company contact information and the written and photographic inventory of the contents of your home are readily available. It’s best to keep them in a secure spot away from your home, such as a safe deposit box or with a relative who lives nearby.

Shop wisely

Don’t hesitate to shop around for the best rates. While adequate insurance is important, you may be able to find a
better deal for the same amount of coverage. However, check that the insurer you’re considering has been given good ratings by ratings agencies such as A.M. Best or Standard & Poor’s or by a consumer watchdog such as Consumer Reports.

Choosing the best policy and ensuring you have the proper coverage can be complicated. Your CPA can advise you on many personal finance decisions, including getting the right coverage for your home.

Only CPAs are equipped to address your full range of financial needs with integrity and insight. In Maryland, CPAs must pass a rigorous two-day examination, adhere to strict ethical and professional standards, and, beyond college, complete 80 hours of continuing education every two years to be certified by the state — accountants do not.

Your doctor is certified; your lawyer is certified. Make sure your accountant is a certified public accountant.

For CPA referrals in your area, contact the MACPA at (410) 296-6250 or click here.

The Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants (MACPA) is a statewide professional association that provides leadership, information and services for its nearly 10,000 CPA members, who are employed in private practice, industry, government and education. CPAs are business and financial professionals who have passed a rigorous two-day examination in order to be licensed by the state. CPAs are committed to protecting the public interest, and must adhere to stringent ethical and professional standards and continuing professional education requirements.

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