Dover Homeowners Insurance

The capital city of Dover, DE, is home to more than 36,000 people. This city has much to offer its residents in the way of great schools, an affordable cost of living, and a low crime rate. It is no wonder that the population of this little city is growing rapidly. If you own a house in Dover, you can protect your investment with a suitable homeowners insurance policy.

When you are shopping for the right coverage for your house in Dover, a local independent insurance agent can be a fantastic resource. Talk to an insurance agent near you to discover how easy it can be to find the best and most affordable policy.

How Much Does Homeowners Insurance Cost in Dover, DE?

In general, homeowners in Delaware pay less for homeowners insurance than property owners throughout much of the county. Let’s look at an average rate comparison:

• National average yearly premium: $1,211
• Delaware average yearly premium: $833

Of course, these are just average rates. Home insurance costs are calculated on a case-by-case basis and are based on a variety of factors such as:

Each insurance company has its own method for calculating rates, so it's a good idea to compare quotes from a few different providers before making a selection. That way, you can be sure that you are not overpaying for your coverage.

Independent insurance agents in Dover make comparison shopping easy.

What Kinds of Damage Does Dover Homeowners Insurance Cover?

There are several ways that your house and property in Dover may sustain costly damage. These include hazards like residential fires, property crimes, and severe weather events like storms, hail, gusty winds, hurricanes, heavy snowfalls, and freezing temperatures.

Fortunately, most homeowners insurance policies will cover all of these hazards.

Catastrophic events in Delaware

A local independent insurance agent can help you review your structural (dwelling) and personal property (contents) coverage limits so you can be sure that they are high enough to enable you to fully rebuild or replace damaged property following a catastrophic event.

A Word about Flood Damage in Dover, DE

Some residents of Dover are prone to flood damage, especially when severe storms and hurricanes bring heavy rains to the area. Unfortunately, flood damage is not covered by home insurance.

Property owners near waterways like the St. Jones River are most likely to be living in a designated flood zone and are therefore most at risk. However, when drainage systems are overwhelmed during heavy, prolonged rains, flash flooding can occur just about anywhere.

To fully protect your property, you will need to supplement your home insurance coverage with a flood insurance policy. These policies, which can be purchased through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), are available even to those who own properties in very high-risk areas.

Flood insurance takes 30 days to go into effect, so don't wait until heavy rains are imminent to buy your coverage. Talk to your local independent insurance agent to learn more about flood insurance and for help securing an affordable supplemental policy.

Why Do Dover Homeowners Need Liability Protection?

Everyone makes mistakes. At some point in your life, you may be responsible for an accident or mishap that causes injuries or damage to others. If that happens, the injured parties can sue, and things can get costly. That is why homeowners insurance also provides you with personal liability coverage.

Homeowners liability insurance is designed to cover expenses, including court costs, legal fees and damages if you are responsible for injuries or damage associated with a covered event. Examples of times that this liability coverage can come to your aid include:

• If someone outside of your household is seriously injured in an accident that occurs on your property
• If you or someone in your household, including your pets, accidentally cause injuries or property damage to others
• If you seriously injure someone by accident while away from home, such as during a friendly game of softball at Schutte Park
• If you are accused of libel or slander

Talk to your insurance agent to learn more about the many ways that your homeowners liability coverage can protect you. If you want even more liability insurance than your home insurance can provide, your agent can also help you secure an affordable umbrella insurance policy.

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What Is the Burglary Rate in Dover?

The burglary rate in Delaware is lower than the national average, and in Dover, the risk is even lower. This is not to say that Dover residents are immune from the risk of property crimes. Residents of the city report more than 50 burglaries a year.

• Number of burglaries per 1,000 homes in the US: 2.28
• Number of burglaries per 1,000 homes in Delaware: 4.23
• Number of burglaries per 1,000 homes in Dover: 1.54

Home security systems are very effective at lowering your chances of being targeted by a burglar. In fact, many insurance companies offer discounts to homeowners who have installed burglar alarms in their homes.

Of course, nothing is foolproof against a determined burglar. If your Dover home is broken into, your home insurance can give you some peace of mind by providing you with compensation for your lost or damaged property.

If you need help, your local insurance agent can offer advice and support throughout the claims process.

What about Insurance for Second Homes and Vacation Homes?

Maybe you own a winter vacation house in a warmer climate. Or perhaps you own a second home that you rent out to students at Delaware State University. Regardless of their purpose, if you own more than one residential property, there are additional factors to consider when insuring these homes.

Vacation homes

Vacation homes that are unoccupied and unattended for long periods throughout the year often have a high risk of property damage due to hazards like water leaks, pest infestations, and property crimes. When there is nobody in the house to notice these problems, they can grow very expensive.

You may therefore be required to carry vacant home insurance during the times that these houses are not in use.

Rental properties

Homes that are occupied by tenants have higher liability and dwelling coverage needs than homes that are primary residences. On the other hand, these houses also have lower contents coverage requirements, since tenants have to secure their own property with renters insurance.

Landlord insurance is designed to meet the unique coverage needs that rental properties present. It is typically required by insurance companies if you have tenants occupying your property.

An independent insurance agent in Dover can help you find the right home insurance products to properly cover all of your secondary residential properties.

Why Work with an Independent Insurance Agent in Dover, DE?

Independent insurance agents make it easy to find the best and most affordable coverage for your home because they work for you, not for a particular insurance company. This enables them to shop around to find the policy that offers the most value for your hard-earned money. These experienced agents live and work in your community, so they understand the risks you face as a homeowner in Dover. Find an independent insurance agent near you to start comparing customized homeowners insurance quotes.