Columbus, GA Homeowners Insurance
Find the right home insurance policy for you.
Jeff Green has held a variety of sales and management roles at life insurance companies, Wall street firms, and distribution organizations over his 40-year career. He was previously Finra 7,24,66 registered and held life insurance licenses in multiple states. He is a graduate of Stony Brook University.
Columbus, Georgia is located along the Chattahoochee River, 100 miles southwest of Atlanta. It is the third-largest city in Georgia, with around 194,000 residents.
Homeowners in Columbus are not immune to thefts, break-ins, fires, and severe weather that can easily damage property. But affordable homeowners insurance can cover your risks. Having reliable, responsive homeowners insurance means having peace of mind in the face of unpleasant events.
Local independent insurance agents can help you find the best and most affordable insurance coverage for your home. Find an agent in or near Columbus to learn more, and start comparing quotes today.
The Importance of Liability Insurance for Columbus Homeowners
Your Columbus homeowners insurance covers you for certain types of lawsuits. While the likelihood of being sued is pretty low, the liability insurance portion of your homeowners policy becomes your financial lifeline if someone accuses you of negligence.
Your homeowners insurance policy responds to lawsuits related to third-party injuries that occur on your property, damage caused by your pets or children, accusations of libel or slander, and other acts of negligence by you or a family member.
Many homeowners in Columbus choose to supplement their homeowners liability coverage with a personal umbrella policy. It enables you to protect all of your assets if you are forced to pay out a sum that is in excess of the liability limits of your home or auto insurance policy.
Homeowners Insurance Covers Your Property
Homeowners insurance is designed to cover you against a variety of hazards you face as a homeowner. Fires, severe weather, and break-ins can cause significant damage to your home, and without home insurance, you’d have to pay for repairs on your own.
Homeowners insurance policies contain both dwelling and contents coverage. Dwelling coverage pays for repairing or replacing the physical structure of your home. Contents coverage pays for replacing or repairing lost or damaged possessions.
- Number of declared disasters in Georgia: 67
- Most common reasons for disasters in the state: Severe Storms and Tornadoes
- Average number of tornadoes per year in Georgia: 29.4
- Average amount of property damage per year in Georgia: $1,773,172,000
- 1 in 15 insured homes has a claim each year
There is a real threat of severe storms and tornadoes in Georgia, and both can wipe out your entire property. An insurance agent can help you review your structure and contents coverage limits so you can be sure that they are high enough to enable you to rebuild, repair, or replace if necessary.
Does Columbus Homeowners Insurance Offer Coverage for Burglaries?
The home burglary rate in Columbus is very high. This could account for higher-than-average home insurance rates in some neighborhoods where property crimes are more prevalent.
- Number of burglaries per 1,000 homes in the US: 4.69
- Number of burglaries per 1,000 homes in Georgia: 6.14
- Number of burglaries per 1,000 homes in Columbus: 17.95
Homeowners in Columbus should take precautions to prevent thefts and break-ins. Be sure to lock your doors, keep your home well-lit, and make your house look occupied even when you aren’t at home.
Home security systems serve as excellent theft deterrents. What’s more, many insurance companies offer discounts to policyholders who have installed burglar alarms in their homes.
If you are the victim of a burglary, your homeowners insurance company can reimburse you for lost and damaged possessions, as well as broken windows, doors, or locks.
Be sure to call the police and your insurance company immediately if you discover a break-in. Keep a copy of the police report, too, because you’ll need it to file an insurance claim.
And don’t forget, your independent insurance agent is there to help and advise you through the claims process.
How Much Does Homeowners Insurance Cost in Columbus, GA?
Georgia is the 20th most expensive state for home insurance in the US, and the average cost of homeowners coverage in Columbus is similar to the state average.
- National average yearly premium: $1,173
- Georgia average yearly premium: $1,152
- Columbus average yearly premium: $1,159
Your Columbus home insurance rates may be higher or lower than average, depending on your home’s unique characteristics (size, location, age, value, etc.) and other risk factors (crime rate, severe weather risk) in your neighborhood.
If your property’s location comes with more hazards than most, expect to pay more. You will also pay more if your home will cost more to repair or rebuild than others.
Comparing quotes from multiple insurance companies and making sure you are maximizing your discounts is the best way to make sure you’re getting the best rate on your Columbus home insurance.
A local independent insurance agent can guide you through the process to ensure you are getting the coverage you need.
Insurance Coverage for Second Homes and Vacation Homes
Many Columbus homeowners also own a vacation home, cottage, or rental property in addition to their primary residence. Any type of second home needs insurance coverage, and homes that do not serve as a primary residence actually involve some additional risks. You may even find that your second home insurance is more costly than the coverage for your primary residence.
Vacation homes are often left unoccupied and unattended for several months of the year. These homes are more susceptible to thefts, vandalism, break-ins and property damage than homes that are occupied all year. Vacant home insurance can help give you peace of mind in these situations.
If you have a rental property, your risk for liability claims and lawsuits is higher. Landlord insurance is typically necessary if you own a second home that is occupied by tenants.
A local independent insurance agent can help you find the best policies to cover all of your residential properties.
Why Work with an Independent Insurance Agent in Columbus?
Independent insurance agents in your city can help you find a reliable and affordable home insurance policy. Independent agents aren’t tied to one company, so you can be sure you are getting honest, unbiased advice.
Contact an agent in Columbus to start comparing customized home insurance quotes.
http://www.naic.org/prod_serv/AUT-PB-14.pdf
https://www.census.gov
http://www.city-data.com