Waterfront properties present unique insurance considerations. Here are three things you should evaluate if you’re getting home insurance for a waterfront residence, whether it’s on one of the lakes, rivers, or ocean shorelines in Pennsylvania.
1. Insuring a Boathouse
Boathouses usually fall under secondary structures coverage, which might protect everything from a fence to a detached building. Most home insurance policies have secondary structures coverage, but your policy’s standard limit for other structures might be lower than the value of your boathouse. If you have a boathouse, ensure your policy’s secondary structures limit is equal to your boathouse’s value. We at Valor Insurance can help you check your policy. We can also help you increase the limit for secondary structures or find a better home insurance policy if you need to.
2. Insuring a Dock
A dock might also be covered under secondary structures coverage, or it could fall under personal property coverage. Permanent docks are more likely to be considered secondary structures. Seasonal docks are typically considered personal property. In either case, you’ll want to make sure the applicable coverage limit is at least equal to any dock’s value. Our agents here at Valor Insurance can check which coverage applies to your situation and the coverage’s limit.
3. Getting Flood Insurance
Flood damage normally isn’t covered by a home insurance policy. Instead, you likely should have flood insurance if your Pennsylvania waterfront property is at risk of flooding. This can often be purchased at a subsidized rate through the National Flood Insurance Program.
Make Sure Your Waterfront Property is Protected
These are just some of the details to consider when insuring a waterfront property. To review all of the protections you should have, contact us and speak with a home insurance agent.