Altoona Homeowners Insurance

(How to find a reliable home insurance policy at an affordable price)

Written by Rachel Morey
Written by Rachel Morey

Rachel Morey is a journalist specializing in making complicated personal finance and insurance subjects easy to understand. She has been writing professionally for nearly a decade and has projects in print, broadcasting, and online. A native Iowan, Rachel has a special fondness for the open roads of rural America.

Reviewer: Jeffrey Green Reviewed by Jeffrey Green
Reviewer: Jeffrey Green
Reviewed by Jeffrey Green

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.

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Altoona Pennsylvania homeowners insurance

Homeowners in Altoona need certain types of insurance to protect their home, its contents, and their financial wellbeing. Finding good insurance with a trustworthy company at a fair price is a daunting task, though. 

When you choose an independent insurance agent in Altoona, you can start assembling the elements of your home insurance in a way that saves you money while protecting your assets. Find an insurance agent in Altoona today and start comparing your customized home insurance quotes. 

How Much Does Homeowners Insurance Cost in Altoona, PA?

Pennsylvania residents pay less on average for home insurance than homeowners across the country. Even so, shopping around could save you even more money when it's time to choose an insurance company. Comparing rates can help you make sure you get the best insurance policy for your money. 

The national average yearly premium for home insurance is $1,173. In Pennsylvania, the average drops to $913 per year. Pennsylvania is the 38th most expensive state for home insurance.

Averages help you understand what to expect when you ask for quotes, but your premiums may be much different from Pennsylvania's average rates. Insurance companies base their premiums on the following information:

  • The size, age, and value of your home
  • The type of home you are insuring (e.g., single-family detached home, condo, manufactured home, vacation home, etc.)
  • The number of stories in your home and whether it has a basement
  • The crime rate and weather risks in your ZIP code
  • Your claims history and credit score
  • Whether you are bundling your coverage with another policy like car insurance or life insurance

When you compare quotes, your agent will help you understand how one company stacks up against the next. They'll make sure you get the best value for your dollar. 

Does Altoona Homeowners Insurance Cover against Catastrophic Events?

Your home insurance protects your financial investment in your home by providing you with coverage for repairs after a catastrophe. In Pennsylvania, there have been 62 federally-declared disasters since 1953. The most common reason for a declared disaster is severe storms. Your home is at the most risk of damage from storms, including hurricanes, wind, and tornadoes. 

As you evaluate your current coverage and decide how to insure your home going forward, consider whether you'll have enough dwelling and contents coverage to replace your possessions and rebuild your home after a major disaster. 

While there have only been 10 floods resulting in a Pennsylvania federally declared disaster since the mid-50s, you may live in an area that is more prone to flooding. Although the risk is slim, you could benefit from purchasing a flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

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Why Do Altoona Homeowners Need Liability Insurance?

A liability lawsuit could costs tens of thousands of dollars, threatening your family's financial stability and causing large amounts of stress. Your home insurance policy has liability insurance built in to help reduce the amount of money you'll spend if you are sued for a covered event. 

Homeowners liability insurance covers expenses that you may accrue if you are legally responsible for damage or injuries. Some examples of when it's important to have a good liability insurance policy include: 

  • A visitor in your home trips on loose carpeting on your stairway and suffers a back injury.
  • Your child breaks your neighbor’s window while playing in your backyard.
  • Your dog manages to bite a jogger.
  • A local business sues you for libel after a negative review you posted on social media.

Your agent can explain exactly how a liability insurance policy helps protect you. If you'd like higher liability limits than your home insurance can provide, consider adding an umbrella insurance policy. This coverage offers an affordable way to boost the coverage of all of your insurance. 

Does Altoona Homeowners Insurance Cover against Burglaries?

The rate of break-ins in Pennsylvania is lower than the national average. Even so, it's important to be aware of the possibility that you could be the victim of a burglary. 

  • Number of burglaries per 1,000 homes in the US: 4.69
  • Number of burglaries per 1,000 homes in Pennsylvania: 2.78

If your Altoona home is broken into, your homeowners insurance can provide you with compensation for property damage and any loss of personal property. Your agent may recommend that you install a security system if you don't already have one in place. Not only will having a good security system help reduce your home insurance premiums, but it is also a proven deterrent for home invasions. 

What about Second Home and Vacation Home Insurance?

If you own a vacation home or a second home that doesn't serve as your primary residence, you may need special types of insurance. 

A second home occupied by tenants has higher liability and property damage risks. For this type of property, landlord insurance may be a good choice. Your vacation home may sit empty throughout much of the year, increasing the statistical risk of break-ins and property damage. Vacant home insurance can help you manage that risk and cover your investment. 

Your agent will talk with you about all of your properties. They can help you design insurance that meets the needs of your primary home as well as your vacation or second home. 

Why Work with an Independent Insurance Agent in Altoona, PA?

There are a lot of great reasons to use an Altoona-based independent insurance agent. You'll get the one-on-one attention you deserve and access to the most up-to-date information about insuring your home. 

Your agent will shop around different insurance companies for you and help you choose the coverage that best meets your needs. Contact an insurance agent in Altoona today to get started. 

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http://www.naic.org/prod_serv/AUT-PB-14.pdf

https://www.census.gov

http://www.city-data.com/city/Altoona-Pennsylvania.html

https://www.fema.gov/data-visualization-disaster-declarations-states-and-counties