Category: Home Insurance

Homes that are more than forty years old can be difficult to insure. All those years of wear and tear on systems and structures can cause problems. Roofing materials from more than forty years ago are not as durable as they could be. Sure, you could rebuild, but the cost of that might be higher than the market value of the property. Even then, it’s possible that the materials used to build the home might not exist anymore. And then there are those ever-evolving codes in the plumbing and electricity. That’s why you need an HO-8 policy. 

What Is An HO-8 Policy? 

If you are not able to secure a standard homeowner’s policy for your older home, an HO-8 policy may be for you. An HO-8 policy may cover fewer perils and come with lower dwelling coverage limits than the usual homeowner’s policy. However, it may cost much less. Your insurance provider may require you to buy an HO-8 policy if it is determined that your home would cost more to build than it’s worth. 

High-Value Homeowner’s Insurance

Keep in mind that HO-8 policies don’t operate on replacement costs. In case of a disaster, you’ll want high-value homeowner’s insurance. This will take care of the cost of most damage to your historic home. 

O’Donnell Agency LLC Serving New Jersey

New Jersey has its fair share of historic homes, some dating back to the Colonial Era. Yours might not be quite that old, but still old enough to qualify for an HO8 policy.  If you need your older home insured, please get in touch with O’Donnell Agency LLC. Our knowledgeable agents will do all they can to help you get what you need. 

Keeping your home safe involves so much more than simply installing a doorbell camera and locking it up at night. Ignoring crucial home repairs can actually affect your home’s security as well. Here at O’Donnell Agency LLC, we want to help homeowners in New Jersey keep their homes safe and secure. 

Here are some home repairs that increase security:

Window Updates

Windows create numerous entry points in your home. If those windows are not kept in good working order, then you are putting your home in danger. You need to evaluate your windows every few years to see if the windows need to be replaced or repaired. Don’t procrastinate on this important job. 

Faulty Locks

Locks are your first line of defense against home intruders. You need to be able to rely on your lock systems throughout your home. If you notice that locks are not working properly, it might be time to update. Homeowners often do not consider updating locks as a crucial type of home repair, but over time locks start to wear out and it will affect your home’s safety. 

Rotting Wood

If you have any rotting wood around windows or exterior doors, this could create a safety issue for your home. Rotting wood makes it even easier for intruders to gain access to your home. Be sure to have rotting wood quickly replaced to make the entrance secure. 

Looking For Insurance in New Jersey?

If you would like to learn more about our home insurance products, please contact us at O’Donnell Agency LLC. We will be happy to answer your questions and help you find the right insurance products today. 

O’Donnell Agency LLC works to protect families throughout the state of New Jersey. If it’s time to start a major project on your family home, we’re here to help you make sure that you have the protection you need. Don’t wait until it’s too late to find out that you don’t have the coverage you need!

The time to review your home policy is BEFORE you start your major renovation

Home renovations can take a lot of time, money, and energy to complete. Depending on the size of the project, it can also be a disruptive experience for the entire family. On top of all of this, there are liability and other insurance concerns to consider. You will have people in your home that could be harmed or injured. This means that it’s important that your home insurance provides an adequate amount of liability protection.

If, after the renovation is completed, your home value increases significantly, it could also create a need to adjust your current policy. These are just two reasons why it’s so important to double-check your home policy before starting any major renovation or improvement project. Working with your local agent can help you get ahead of the changes that may become necessary and ensure that your home is fully protected. Our team is here to help you with these concerns. 

Contact us today!

If you live in New Jersey and have questions about home insurance, the team at O’Donnell Agency LLC is here to help. Our team has the knowledge and experience necessary to give our clients the service they need. Let us help you with any insurance questions or issues that you may have. Call or stop by our office today!

Owning a home in New Jersey is one of the greatest accomplishments you’ll achieve, so congratulations! The team at O’Donnell Agency LLC is excited to offer you a wide variety of coverage options for your home in New Jersey, and we know insurance shopping can be daunting and frustrating. We’re here to make the process easy for you so you can get back to enjoying your home and the fruits of your labor. 

There are so many reasons that home insurance is one of the best investments you can make in the largest asset you own. Buying a home is likely the biggest investment you’ve made so far in your life, and it should be treated as such.

The coverage options that home insurance can provide you with include the following:

1. Liability protection – If someone is injured on your property, liability covers their medical expenses
2. Structural protection – From natural disasters, theft, fire, and more 
3. Personal belongings – Besides the structure itself, your personal belongings inside the home are protected

It may never be necessary, but in the event that you need your coverage, you will be so relieved you invested in a good plan. We can’t foresee what may happen, and we know that New Jersey weather can be unpredictable. Knowing that your home, your belongings, and your family are safe in many situations is reason enough to invest in a quality home insurance plan. 

As you navigate the waters of home insurance, know the team at O’Donnell Agency LLC is here for you. We serve the great state of New Jersey and we’d be happy to help find the policy that suits your lifestyle and eases your mind as a homeowner. Reach out to us today. 

Buying your first home is going to be an exciting but challenging experience. For instance, you might not know when New Jersey law requires you to purchase insurance. At O’Donnell Agency LLC, we can help you understand these factors and make it easier to find the type of coverage you need.

Buying Your Policy 

When you’re buying a house, you need to buy your insurance before you close. Your lender and the seller will not let you close if you do not buy a policy. The different options available for you will vary based on your area and your needs. The insurance company understands this and tries to pre-approve an approach to speed it up. 

Once you get this pre-approval and Proof of Insurance from the provider, your home is almost yours. The insurance company will fax a record of your insurance to the seller and the lender, helping to set you up for closing. Once the deal is closed and money exchanged, the home insurance goes into effect. 

Policy Coverage to Consider 

When choosing coverage that meets your needs, it is essential to pay attention to various elements. Just a few things that you’ll need include:

• Liability protection from different damage 
• Natural disaster policies that make sense for your area 
• High-quality coverage for fires and lightning 
• Temporary living coverage options 

All of these policy elements help to make your insurance more in-depth and beneficial for your needs. Your agent will work with you to find the best balance between coverage and payments.

Take Control of Your Coverage 

If you’re buying a home and want the best coverage for your needs, please reach out to us at O’Donnell Agency LLC. We serve New Jersey and strive to help find the most appropriate options for your clients’ needs. Talk to us today to learn more about the policy types we provide.

At O’Donnell Agency LLC, we might be biased here, but there is no better place to call home than New Jersey. Whether it’s Robbinsville, Beckett, or Mountain Lakes, NJ, the state is full of serene neighborhoods to own a home. However, without home insurance for your prized asset, your investment is never complete. 

Why home insurance is a worthwhile investment

Regrettably, most homeowners view home insurance as just another unnecessary expense. However, when the unthinkable happens, it’s when they realize how powerful home insurance can be. Below are reasons why you should buy home insurance.

• Liability protection: Despite how careful we are, accidents are bound to happen. Your dog might bite a neighbor. A friend can slip and hurt their leg on your premises, and so forth. The good news is that when you have invested in home insurance, liabilities are taken care of up to your policy limit.
• Structure protection: Your home costs hundreds of dollars, if not thousands. However, perils like fire, theft, vandalism, storms, and hail can turn your invaluable asset into a nightmare. When you carry home insurance, repairs and even rebuilding of your home is compensated when the covered risk strikes.
• Personal belongings’ protection: Home insurance safeguards your clothing, electronics, furniture, and sporting equipment if they are damaged or lost. 
• Additional living expenses (ALE) coverage: Is your home unlivable due to hail, fire, or storm damage? Don’t panic. Home insurance pays for additional living expenses when you seek temporal shelter in a hotel.

Is home insurance mandatory in New Jersey?

While New Jersey law doesn’t require home insurance, your home lender may require you to carry standard home insurance until you settle the mortgage liability. But whether home insurance is compulsory or not, it’s a worthwhile investment for every homeowner.

Are you ready to get started with home insurance? Please contact O’Donnell Agency LLC today for all your home insurance solutions.

Owning a home is part of the American dream; don’t let it become your nightmare. Many things can happen to damage your home, and most of them are beyond your control. Nobody enjoys filing an insurance claim, but chances are pretty good at some point you will file a claim on your home insurance policy. Having an A+ carrier and an insurance agent who will be there for you through good times and bad makes facing the bad times easier. O’Donnell Agency LLC offers the residents of New Jersey top-notch carriers and their years of experience. 

When you file a claim to be reimbursed for your personal property, a home inventory can make the process much more relaxed. It will provide the proof your carrier needs to move ahead on your claim. A home inventory is a list of all the items that you own. It should include the value of the items and any receipts that you may have. The more detailed the inventory, the better. You may do it with a pad and a pen, or you may use a camera or your cellphone to document everything. 

A home inventory includes the content of your closets, drawers, cupboards, basement, garage, and attic. You will have the best outcome with your claim if you have documented as much as possible, including brand names, models, or serial numbers. Your inventory needs to be kept up to date as the items you possess changes. Your inventory can be helpful not only when filing a claim, but when deciding on a home policy. Please bring it with you when you talk to your agent.  

O’Donnell Agency LLC is there to help the residents of New Jersey. The team members have years of experience helping customers to get the coverage that is right for them. Come in and talk to a member of our staff or give us a call for a no-obligation quote.