Túquerres Your homeowner’s insurance policy is in place, but do you know what exactly is covered?

No matter how safe your home, lawn, and all of your assets are, unfortunately, bad things happen every day—from burglaries, to backyard injuries, to natural disasters—there’s no such thing as ever being too prepared for the unexpected. In the off chance that you are hit with an unplanned injury, emergency, or speed bump, do you know what, exactly, your insurance policy covers?

Although homeowner’s insurance covers an extensive amount of property and damage, there are several aspects that your will want to double check before crossing them off the coverage list. Many homeowners think they’re covered when they’re not, or that they’re inadequately insured.  Nonetheless, you’ll still sleep better if you’ve taken the steps to ensure your coverage limits.

http://vintagegoodness.com/category/thrift-haul/ T rampolines

In 2011, more than 83,000 emergency room visits were cause by trampoline injuries. If you choose to make your youngster’s day by bringing home one of the bouncy contraptions, you will want to consider the fact that many policies do not include coverage for trampolines—due to the health and personal injury risks alone! After your trampoline is set up, be sure to follow these important safety measures:

  • Adult supervision is a must
  • Keep a close eye out for wear and tear (never use a damaged trampoline)
  • Make sure the trampoline is on a level surface with nothing overhead or fences nearby
  • Do a safety check of the springs and connections before each use
  • Absolutely NO jewelry, or anything in jumpers’ pockets that might pose a hazard
  • Always make sure there’s nothing underneath the trampoline, and that NOBODY, under any circumstances, plays down below
  • No draw strings or anything else that might get wrapped around the netting

When purchasing and installing a trampoline, it is best to take the safe route and supplement your homeowner’s policy with a personal health insurance plan.

Treehouses (and treehouse injuries)

What kid doesn’t want a tree house?  Not only can they be fun, they’re also a special project for the whole family to plan and work on together.   Of course, they’re also a bit on the risky side even for the least anxious of parents. Fortunately, there are ways to mitigate those risks:

  • While it might be tempting to go high, it’s safest not to build higher than six to 12 feet off the ground
  • Use steps secured to the tree trunk rather than rope ladders and climbing ropes
  • Make sure the structure is properly secured to the tree in a way that allows the tree to still grow without damaging  the treehouse
  • Get an expert opinion: have a carpenter and arborist check out your plans and your completed treehouse

Swimming pools

Backyard pools are becoming more and more common, whether they are above or in-ground, it’s important to keep your summertime retreat safe.  Sadly, over 200 children drown in home pools every year, and many of those deaths could have been prevented.

If you plan on getting a pool, you will want to talk to your Insurance agency about an umbrella liability policy.  An umbrella policy is a cost effective, extra layer of protection which may keep you from having to relinquish your home, stocks, retirement, college funds or any other significant assets in the event your homeowner’s, auto, or boat insurance policy pay out its limits.

Aggressive dog attacks

We all know your dog would never bite anyone—until it does.  Even the sweetest canine is still deeply attached to its wolf-pack instinct to protect you and your family. While this is a good thing, it can also lead to trouble.  Fortunately, mindful dog owners can take steps to prevent their pooches from biting:

  • Spay or neuter your dog as soon as possible
  • Socialize your dog with humans and other dogs at a young age
  • If you’re having trouble controlling  your pet, enroll him or her in a training class
  • Be conscious of common triggers, like strangers, that might elicit that strong protective instinct

Despite following all these precautions to a fault, there’s no way to 100 percent ensure that you will be able prevent the unexpected and unplanned injuries that seem quite inevitable. Luckily, you can make sure you’ve got a safety net.  For more information on what’s covered, and how to increase your coverage, contact the experts at Avante today!