Homeowners insurance covers damages resulting from most kinds of natural calamities. If a third party lender finances a home, it becomes important to obtain homeowners insurance, in order to cover the building and the material possessions inside.

Homeowners insurance is a package policy: This means that homeowners insurance takes care of both, the damage caused to the home, and the legal responsibilities involved. Homeowners insurance can also be used to protect the homeowner against injuries or property damage caused to other people, by the owner or his/her family members. This includes injury caused by household pets.

Homeowners insurance covers damage caused by most disasters except floods, earthquakes, and the lack of maintenance. Individuals are required to buy separate policies to cover the losses incurred due to earthquakes and floods. Maintenance related damage is not covered by any insurance policy.

Types of Homeowners Insurance

Following are the four types of coverage included in the standard homeowners insurance policy: -

Coverage For The Structures

This policy pays for repairing or re-building the house if it gets damaged because of fire, hail, lightning, hurricane, damage caused by vehicle or aircraft, explosion, windstorm or other disasters, according to the formulation of the policy. Most of the standard policies also deal with structures that are not attached to the house, like the garage or a gazebo.

Coverage For Contents Of Home

This policy covers personal belongings such as furniture, clothes, electronic goods and other household items that get destroyed by any of the insured disasters. Most companies offer coverage of 50% to 70% of the amount insured for the building. For example, if a homeowner has $200,000 worth of insurance on building structure, then he/she would have $100,000 to $140,000 worth of coverage on the personal belongings. The best way to find out whether this coverage is adequate is to carry out a home inventory, which includes the original cost of each item.

Protection Against Liability

This covers against lawsuits for any physical injury or property damage that the homeowner, or his/her family members, or pets cause other people. This liability policy covers a homeowner anywhere in the world. For example, if a homeowner’s children, or dog, or any other pet accidentally damages the neighbor’s furniture, or expensive carpet, or any other property, the homeowner is covered by this policy. But the homeowner’s own property is not covered by this policy, if the children or pets damage it similarly. Liability coverage generally starts at $100,000.

Additional Living Expenses Under Conditions The Homeowner Is Not Able To Live In The Home:

This policy pays for the additional cost of living away from home if it gets damaged by fire, lightning, hail, smoke, theft, storm, volcanic eruption or any other insured disaster. It covers restaurant bills, hotel bills and additional living expenses incurred while the home is being repaired. Generally, companies provide coverage for about 20% of the insurance on the structure of the house.

For example, if a homeowner has insurance worth of $100,000 on the structure of his/her house, then the additional living expenses coverage in case of damage will be 20% of $100,000, which is $20,000. This policy also reimburses the rent amount if a part of the damaged house had been on rent.

For most people, a home involves a large investment. Insuring it against damage due to some unforeseen calamity can protect you from bearing the burden of such losses.

Joseph Kenny
http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/homeowners-insurance-guide-81597.html

I now have two dogs who recently had blood in their stool and I had to takem both to the emergency room. I ended up forking out $400 that day and I’m now thinking about getting some pet insurance.

What has been your experience with Dog Insurance? What are the best companies to go with?

I tried the method of putting money away….and it backfired big time when one dog tore her ACL and required surgery and another of my dogs had a complication with her spay surgery right around the same time. I forked out thousands. Since then, I’ve had insurance on my dogs and I have saved much more than I have paid in premiums. The trick is finding a good company though. Many companies have a pay schedule that they think is reasonable and that’s how they pay out…..so even though you may pay $500, if their payscale only allows $200 for that service, you only get the 200 bucks.

I highly recommend Petplan Insurance. They pay you based on what you actually pay your vet and have always paid me in a timely manner and 100% of what they promised to pay. They cover ER visits as well as specialists and everything from hip dysplasia to cancer treatments.

http://www.gopetplan.com/

If you own pets, then you know that animals are just like humans. All of us need medical attention from time to time. Just as you carry insurance on the other members of your household, you need to invest in insurance for your pet. Here are several reasons why you should buy pet insurance.

When we think of insurance for ourselves, we think of making sure we have coverage in the event that a health issue requires extended attention and care. Pet insurance provides the same level of security when it comes to our pets. Many pet owners care deeply for their animals, and have no desire to see them suffer. Insurance for your pet is one way you can make sure that even if your animal has a major medical emergency, you will be able to make sure your pet has the best of care.

Along with alleviating the concern of what you would do if your pet surgery or long term care, there is also the matter of preventive maintenance. A number of plans these days now allow for a certain number of office visits and provide full coverage for a few annual procedures for your pet. As an example, you may find that a good policy will include one teeth cleaning session per year for your dog. This may not seem like a lot, until you consider that before a dog’s teeth may be cleaned, the veterinarian must test for liver problems, which means your pet will have to go under anesthesia. In short, a teeth-cleaning session can cost a few hundred dollars. This alone can make the cost when you buy pet insurance on an annual basis begin to look very reasonable.

Medications are another potential expense that you may face someday with your pet. By having a good insurance policy, you will have access to a deductible that will help greatly with any ongoing medication your pet has to take. In some cases, there may not be a deductible to meet at all, but instead a co-payment of a few dollars on each prescription. Either way, you will immediately save a lot of money on medications, should your animal require them for an extended period of time.

Our pets are often the source of a lot of good things in our lives. They keep us from feeling lonely and often are able to cheer us up after a hard day. Insurance is one way we can show how much we love out animals, and ensure they live long and healthy lives. If you have not considered if you need to buy pet insurance before now, speak with your vet about coverage that is currently accepted through his or her office, and compare a couple of plans. You will be glad you did.

Craig Thornburrow
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/why-buy-pet-insurance-why-it-is-a-good-idea-98799.html

Getting your first dog is an exciting experience – but also one you must consider carefully. Dogs, like people, need care, attention and food, which are not minor commitments. So what are you really in for when you get a dog?

It’s something a lot of us have experienced, especially those of us blessed with kids that make constant demands for the latest toys and whatever they can find for us to spend money on. But one thing that always seems constant in the desires of so many people, young and old, is to have the company of a four-legged friend – a friend to play with, go for walks with, to be affectionate with and who’ll never let them down. Wanting a dog has been a common human wish for as long as these animals have been seen fit for domestication.

So what constrains so many of us from going ahead and getting ourselves a new best friend? Many people would be unable to walk a dog – and dogs need their exercise. Working adults may not have the time to give a dog the attention it needs, or affording food might just be out of the question. Another reason is simply that many people don’t know exactly what’s involved in looking after a dog.

What to expect from dog ownership

It’s really quite simple: dogs have many of the same needs that people do. They need to eat to survive. They also need to sleep, socialise, keep clean and exercise in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They require visits to the vet when they’re sick, and when they need a check up. But above all, they need an owner who will provide care, attention, love and affection – and it’s in a dog’s nature to give these exact qualities right back.

There’s no question that taking the plunge and getting a new friend is a big decision. It is costly, and it is time consuming. A dog is a new member of the family, not just something you can ignore once the novelty values run out. But, if cared for properly, a dog will also pay for itself in terms of what it can do for your health, both physical and mental.

There’s a lot to consider when you think about getting a dog. Do you have the time? Do you have the money? Is your home safe for a pet and, if not, are you prepared to make it that way? Can you spend time finding a vet and bother to search for and purchase pet insurance? After all, you never know when your dog will become ill or injured.

If the answer to the above is yes, then you’re ready for a dog. Dogs are an unforgettable part of our lives when we let them in – so, if you, your kids or your whole family is ready and willing, enjoy your trip to the dog home and come home with a new best friend.

Harvey McEwan
http://www.articlesbase.com/insurance-articles/getting-a-dog-are-you-ready-for-the-commitment-688368.html

Hello,

Where can I find the best Dog Insurance ?

Thanks.

I’m a veterinary student, and just this week we discussed the importance of good pet insurance.

Get a good Veterinary cover, please don’t go for a supermarket one because they may look good, but in the long run they just don’t ad up.

Make sure you pay for full cover FOR LIFE- I can’t stress that enough. Most supermarket policies cover certain diseases for certain lengths of time- what good is that?

So a good Veteriany Cover, full coverage for life. Believe me it’s worth it when your pet is sick and you can say to your vet- "give me the best treatment possible, cost is not an issue"

PetPlan is good.

You may have chosen a breed that will need some type of grooming.  It could be for a particular clip or just to have the dog shaved down for the summer.  How do you find a good groomer?  Below are some suggestions that may help you:

1.  Do you have any friends or family members that use a groomer?  Ask them for their opinion and ratings on the groomer.  Tell them to be honest!

2.  Does your Veterniary Doctor have a groomer?  If not, then whom would he/she recommend?

3.  Pull out that trusty phone book!  Make a list of grooming salons in the area that you can call.  Give yourself enough room in between each place that you have listed so that you can take notes during or right after the phone call.

4.  What should you ask?

a.  What time does my dog need to be at your salon in the morning?
b.  How long will my dog be there?
c.  Do you phone the customer when their dog is finished and ready to go or is there a gneric   pick up time later in the day?
d.  Are you insured?
e.  Do you provide references for me to contact?
f.   Do you use natural products?
g.  Do you provide ‘flea dips’?
h.  Can I come visit your salon without my dog to look at your facility?
i.  How many groomers do you have working for you?
j.  Do you cage dry or use a blower on the grooming table?

Some salons will require that your pet be there very early in the morning.  If your dog is going to be there all day, you may want to ask if they provide water for drinking since it can get very warm with the driers running.  Insurance is almost always a must to be in this business since there are documented accidents and even deaths that have been in the news.   Ask them for customer references and use that information to find out all you can about that particular salon.  If they use natural products then Kudos to them!  Some products out there like ‘flea dips’ are very toxic.  Each state must inspect and approve the ventilation system used in a salon if they are using harsh chemicals like ‘flea dips’.  If the salon you are looking to use lets you go visit, then take them up on it.  Go visit alone and scope the place out.  Do you have a warm fuzzy feeling about the place?  Do they have their state license displayed?  Are they cleaning their tables and equipment before moving onto the next dog?  There are lots of viruses out there that can be passed on.  If the groomer is diligent and caring they will take every step necessary to avoid cross contamination.  Does it appear that the groomers really care about your pet?  Some breeds that do not require a special cut may be placed in a cage with a drier hooked onto the cage blowing on them until they are dry.  How often are they checked?  Breeds that require a scissor cuts like a poodle need to have their hair straightened before it can be completed. Those dogs usually are blow dried right on the groomer’s table. 

Once you have located a salon that you approve of for your pet and all has gone well for you, think about offering your name as a reference for other potential customers.  Give the salon permission to give your name and phone number so that the next person who may be going through the same process can contact you! 

Mobile Dog Groomers

If a salon environment is not what you are looking for, then search for a Mobile Groomer.  Mobile Groomers have a specially designed van that travels to your home and grooms your pet right in your driveway.  Some grooming vans may have sinks that can hold a pet as big as 50 pounds some maybe more.  Ask!  My grooming van could never take on a dog that was large because the sink just was not big enough.  My service allowed me to care of elderly pets or pets that just couldn’t handle being in a salon environment.  I was busy all the time and I never took on more than 5 dogs a day in the same town.  That was enough for me, but there may be others who groom longer hours each day or possibly on the weekends.  You can expect to pay a little more for this type of service.  The groomer needs to cover travel time as well as gas and insurance expenses.

If your dog has hair that is not in the best shape, be honest and tell your mobile groomer so that they can schedule an appropriate amount of time for that first visit.  If I had owners who slacked off on brushing in between appointments which set me back on my schedule, they were then charged for extra brushing time.  Time is money!  This extra charge helped the customer to stay on track with proper brushing.

When you hire a mobile groomer all they need is electricity from your home.  The groomer will use a heavy duty extension cord that they bring and will plug into an outlet from your home.  The amps used are very small and you should not worry about that at all.  Grooming Vans give the pet and owner a sense of calm.  They are the only animal being catered to and the owner does not have to worry about their pet being in a cage for an extended period of time.  It is a nice luxury and those that seek out this type of service are usually always pleased.  If you do hire a mobile groomer, please DO NOT stand outside and watch through the window!  Your dog will see you but the groomer may not see you.  This is a recipe for an injury!  If you really want to watch, then ask the groomer when the appropriate time would be to do that.  He or she will guide you and may suggest (like I did) to hide behind a bush so the dog cannot see you!  I had a few close calls which totally freaked me out while I was using scissors!!  Nothing happened but I did let the owners know immediately that they had to go inside so I could continue with the appointment.

How often should your dog be groomed?  Well, that depends on the breed and hair type.  If you choose a mobile groomer, you may want to consider setting up a regular schedule as a ’standing appointment’.  This is what I chose to do.  I knew that by the time I saw that dog again, there was a good chance that I would not be set back on my schedule.  It will also guarantee a spot for your dog!

Jean
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/finding-a-dog-groomer-744670.html

The expense of veterinary care can pop out of the blue and hit you straight in your bank account, so should Dog Insurance be compulsory?

Or should it be left to the owners to choose to;
set aside money
selling anything to cover the cost
take out insurance
or any other method?

This could be a solution how to prevent bastard "owners" from getting away with murder when it comes to health of their dogs.

Interesting idea!!!!!!!!
Late Entry : Honeys, this is just my opinion and I don’t care for your filthy stupid thumbs down I know where they’ve been

What would life be like if we did not have our loyal pets to keep us company? While we provide our pets with a great deal of love, but let it be known that love alone will not keep them out of harm way. A pet needs security and a safety net and such security is provided by making sure that a pet dog or cat is properly provided for in the instance of a medical emergency.

No matter how many precautions we may take to keep a pet safe and secure, accidents happen that require attention. Sometimes, the simple matter of aging can yield some complications that require medical attention.

Also, very benign procedures such as common dental work may result in some expensive medical costs. Pet insurance helps circumvent the problems that can arise in such a situation. After all, that is the whole purpose of insurance (pet or otherwise): the need to protect ones assets in the case of an unexpected calamity or occurrence.

The costs involved with a trip to the vet can be very steep indeed and many pet owners find themselves in a state of shock when they discover exactly how much a medical procedure can cost. This is why the need for a sensible pet insurance plan is advised. Some may laugh at the mere mention of a pet insurance policy to cover vet bills, but it is a practical consideration to take. (Now, a pet life insurance policy, that is laughable!)

Pet insurance is usually not very difficult to obtain and, in most cases, does not involve the release of the pets medical records. While there will be a need for extensive review of a human beings medical files when he or she applies for an individual insurance plan, when it comes to pets, unless the cat or dog is very old or has a pre-existing medical condition, there will usually be no need to review the files of a cat or dogs medical file.

This lack of necessity for providing stacks of medical files may provide greater ease for those who have adopted their pet from a local shelter and such extensive medical records may not be available.

For most pets, pet insurance can be acquired for under $30 a month. When one considers that a major procedure on a pet can cost upwards of $500, then such a monthly fee is quite a bargain.

While some may scoff at the idea that a trip to the vet can run up such a high dollar figure, the reality is that expensive pet care is more common than is ordinarily thought. This is why the notion of purchasing pet insurance is something that all pet owners should give serious consideration.

Craig Thornburrow
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/cutting-the-cost-of-your-financial-worries-with-pet-insurance-121295.html

Each year, your homeowner’s insurance policy renews. Do you review it each year or do you simply sign the premium check and send it off in the mail? Reviewing your coverage each year may be a bit of a chore, but it’s a necessary one. After all, you may be paying for coverage that you don’t need or underinsuring your valuables. Wouldn’t you rather find out now instead of after a catastrophe?

Insurance Coverages You Need: If you haven’t updated your insurance coverage in some time, your home may be vastly underinsured. For example, if your home is worth $150,000 on the real estate market, how much insurance should you carry? $150,000? $75,000? $300,000? While your mortgage broker may require a specific amount of insurance (usually the value of the mortgage), the real answer depends on how much it would cost to rebuild the home. If it will cost $200,000 to rebuild your home, then you will need at least that much coverage; otherwise, you’ll come up short.

In general, you will need enough insurance to cover: rebuilding your home, replacing your personal property, paying for temporary living expenses during repairs, and covering your liability to others.

When it comes to covering your rebuilding your home, multiply the square footage of your home by local “per square foot” construction costs. Contact the local building association, a realtor, or your insurance agent to obtain the local construction cost figure. Insuring your possessions is trickier than simply saying, “I’ll take $50,000 in coverage.” First, go room through room and document your belongings. Include dollar figures of how much it would cost to replace each item. Make sure that your policy uses “replacement cost” rather than “actual cash value.” In addition, be aware of the limitations of your policy. For example, fine jewelry, fur, silverware, artwork, coin collections, electronics, cash, and guns (as well as other items) often have maximum limits. If you have valuables exceeding these limits, you will need to obtain an endorsement or rider.

Buy enough liability to cover your assets. For example, if you have $1 million in savings and other assets, yet only have $300,000 in liability insurance and are involved in a liability lawsuit, the plaintiff may pursue your additional assets above and beyond your liability limits.

If you live in an area where the risk of floods or earthquakes is of concern, you may want to consider optional flood or earthquake insurance as these perils are excluded from typical insurance policies. In addition, if you have a swimming pool or a dog, you might need additional coverage addressing these increased risks.

Insurance Coverages You Don’t Need: Reviewing your policy each year helps ensure that you aren’t paying for coverages you do not need. For example, if you had purchased a rider adding coverage because you owned a pit bull and the dog has since died, you can drop coverage. Likewise, if you’ve sold your jewelry or art collection, why continue to insure it with an expensive rider? Look at your coverages, endorsements, riders, and limits with an eye for whether that coverage is still necessary. In addition, look at the dollar figures. A few years ago, it may have made sense to pay an extra $100 per year to add a rider protecting your computer from household mishaps, but now that you can buy a comparable computer for a few hundred dollars as opposed to thousands, the coverage may no longer be worth the price.

Finally, while examining your insurance policy, schedule a consultation with your insurance company or agent and ask how you can reduce your costs while maintaining adequate coverage. For example, by installing deadbolt locks or a security system, you may reap a large discount.

Mark Decherd
http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/insurance-coverage-what-you-need-and-what-you-dont-need-686510.html

I would like something that perhaps covers well visits as well as illness or accidents. Also, I would like something that is affordable as I can’t work and my husband just lost his job. We are getting the insurance so we don’t have to rehome our dogs if some major health issue comes up with them. That would break our hearts.
for the last person that wrote about having isurance on her 6 dogs. which insurance company do you use?

If you’re looking for an insurance that is affordable, I would recommend leaving out the routine coverage which would cover checkups and shots.
You usually end up paying more through the insurance than if you were to pay for it out of pocket. (Example: One company offers routine coverage for an extra $180 per year for one pet and they will cover $200 worth of bills. Not entirely worth it unless you know your annual vet bills will cost that much)

Insurance is a good idea if you want to be protected in case of accident or illness however. You never know when your dogs will get into mischief, and especially as they get older they are prone to more age-related problems.

It’s a good idea to read some reviews and do your own comparisons. Most top sites offer free quotes, here is one site where you can get a quote and look at quotes from other top sites side-by-side: http://www.trupanionpetinsurance.com/why_choose_trupanion_pet_health_insurance/quote-and-compare-companies_comparison-charts.aspx

I have Trupanion for my dog. I chose them because they don’t have annual limits and they cover 90% of all medical bills which includes tests and medications as well. They are a great company, I would definitely recommend them.