Four Seasons Sotheby's Int'l Realty
Four Seasons Sotheby's Int'l Realty
Darren Sherburne, Four Seasons Sotheby's Int'l RealtyPhone: (802) 598-4584
Email: [email protected]

Insurance: Is Your Next Renovation Covered?

by Darren Sherburne 12/02/2024

Your home insurance policy includes a specific type of coverage called "dwelling coverage." The amount of dwelling coverage that you have is based on your overall home value and the approximate cost to rebuild your home in the event of a total loss. When you renovate your home, you may increase its value — and if you don't inform your insurance company, you may be left underinsured.

These are the home improvement projects that could affect your overall value and require you to increase the amount of insurance coverage that you have for your home:

Adding a Pool or Hot Tub

When you decide to install a pool or hot tub in your backyard, you are likely thinking more about the endless days and nights that you will spend relaxing. However, these home improvement projects may increase your home's value — as well as your liability — which may cause an insurance premium increase. It's important to budget for this when you consider the overall cost to install and maintain your new pool or hot tub.

Replacing Your Home Siding

Replacing the siding on your home will have a significant impact on your property's facade. Not only will it boost your curb appeal, but it will also increase the value of your home. The increase in value may be so high that it could leave you without enough insurance coverage in the event of an emergency, so you should inform your insurance company that you are taking on this project.

Upgrading the Kitchen or Bathroom

Kitchen and bathroom renovations offer you the highest return on your investment, as these projects make your home more appealing to potential buyers and can drive up the sale price of your house. Noting the high ROI, it's necessary to keep your insurance company informed when these projects are complete.

Investing in a Home Addition

A home addition, such as a second story or additional living space that changes the footprint of your home, will significantly change the value of your home. This is perhaps the most important project to tell your insurance company about, as you do not want to risk being underinsured after you have finished a beautiful home addition.

In order to fully understand the impact that your home renovation project may have on your homeowner's insurance policy, contact your insurance agent prior to beginning the project. This will give you an idea of the impact that your project will have on your coverage and will allow you to budget for any insurance premium increases that may occur.

About the Author
Author

Darren Sherburne

I was born and raised in the town of Newbury, Vermont. Before, during, and after obtaining my Bachelor’s degree from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, I worked in the hospitality industry throughout New England. One of my proudest achievements is being one of the youngest Certified Sommeliers, having passed the exam at the age of 21. 

Each client and customer comes to the table with a different set of needs and wants. Utilizing my career history and life experience allows me to apply those elements to each Real Estate endeavor. I take great pride in providing a creative and innovative experience to everyone I work with by utilizing current technology and trends. I also provide professional-level photography and videography including production not only for my seller clients but also for buyers who are looking at a property from afar.