Four Forms of Protection
Four Forms of Protection
When you purchase an automobile, what's the first thing you take care of before driving around town? You've got to get insurance, of course. It's no different when you're ready to buy a home, but you have some more options.
First, understand that there are four basic types of insurance, some required, some not. Title insurance protects you in the event that title to the property is found to be in question. You definitely want to purchase title insurance as part of the closing transaction.
Homeowner's insurance provides coverage in cases of theft, damage and liability. Your lender will require this policy, so this is another absolute necessity.
Flood insurance may be required, depending on the location of your new home. The federal government provides this policy to cover replacement value of the home and its contents. Consult with a local real estate agent to determine necessity and restrictions.
Finally, a newer and very popular form of "insurance" is the home warranty, often provided by the seller as peace of mind for the buyer.
These are often one-year policies that cover repairs to systems and appliances, and more details on this are coming up in my next column. In the meantime, consult with a real estate agent if you have any questions or concerns about any of the insurance policies addressed here.
Larry Weichman is president/broker for Costa Mesa-based Weichman Realtors. Contact him at Larry@WeichmanRealtors.com, 714-241-4532 or www.TeamWeichman.com.
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