The Reading, PA area is attracting a lot of new families thanks to its relatively low crime rate and cost of living. Berks County is filled with friendly neighborhoods and homes surrounded by a variety of fences. They say fences make for good neighbors, which can undoubtedly be true in Reading, PA.

Fences, however, can also cause a myriad of questions and concerns when it comes to homeowners insurance. Berks County Insurance serves the Reading, PA area and can answer your homeowners’ insurance questions, including those involving fencing.

Does Home Insurance cover My Fence?

Your fence is likely covered by the same calamities that your home is covered by. Fences are technically considered an outbuilding.

What Are The Circumstances When My Fence Would NOT Be Covered?

Your fence will not be covered under your homeowners’ insurance policy if it is not yours. It is a good idea to identify fence ownership when purchasing a property.

My Fence is Falling Down. Will my Homeowner’s Insurance Cover It?

Not if its condition is due to a lack of maintenance. It will likely not be covered if it is rotting due to a lack of care or an insect infestation.

If flooding Damages my Fence, Is It Covered?

Flood insurance is not generally part of a basic home insurance policy. Therefore, if your fence is damaged by flooding and you do not have separate flood insurance on your main structure, it will likely not be covered.

Berks County Insurance serves the Reading County area with a full line of personal insurance products, including homeowners insurance. Contact us for any questions regarding your insurance or a quote. We look forward to assisting you.

Are you a homeowner in the Reading, PA area? Are you thinking about the purchase of a home? The professionals at Berks County Insurance can provide you with the insurance you need to protect your property.

Homeowners insurance coverage is vital as it protects the home and personal belongings of the homeowner. If the house is a total loss, insurance becomes the primary source of the rebuilding funds. It will also provide liability coverage for any legal action due to damage or injuries to another person on the homeowner’s property.

Homeowners’ insurance provides three major types of coverage:

• It provides comprehensive coverage
• It protects your equity
• It protects you from lawsuits

A standard homeowners insurance policy will cover the repair or replacement of the home and contents in the event of damage. It includes damage resulting from theft, fire, smoke, vandalism, or damage due to a weather event such as hail, lightning, or wind.

The most important part of a homeowner’s policy is the level of coverage. The most common coverage level is HO2, a broad policy that will protect against 16 different events outlined in the policy.

Some damages are not covered by homeowners insurance.

• Bird or rodent damage
• General wear and tear
• Hidden defects
• Mold
• Poor artistry
• Rot or rust
• Smog or smoke caused by industrial or agricultural operations
• Termites and insect damage

Even those individuals who are fortunate to live mortgage-free need this protection. In the event of a lawsuit in which the homeowner is at fault, the security of their home is safe. As long as there is a mortgage on the property, it cannot be taken from the owner.

Contact Berks County Insurance today for a no-obligation quote or answer any questions you may have.

Buying a second home is often an attractive financial option, such as purchasing a vacation destination. At Berks County Insurance, we can provide Reading, PA residents with the secondary home policy that they need. 

You’ll Need a New Policy 

Many homeowners may hope to bundle their second home policy in with their first or that one policy can cover their second home. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. You’ll need a second policy for your new home because it will have different and unique factors to consider for your policy coverage.

This factor requires you to seriously consider what kind of policies you’ll get for your second home. Just as importantly, you need to take into account the use of your home and much more. Let’s break down these factors to ensure that you don’t face a challenging financial situation.

Considerations to Make

Before buying a second home insurance policy, it is crucial to consider a variety of different things. For example, how often will you be in the home? This factor can significantly affect the policy that you buy. In addition, your insurance company may provide temporary- or vacation-home policies that cut back on your costs. 

You may also want to consider whether you’ll rent it out to anybody else, the unique risks you may experience, and more. Vacation homes often cost more money to insure because they are left vacant so long, increasing their risk of problematic issues. 

Protect Your Second Home 

If you’re buying a second home, and you want to keep it safe from potential dangers, reach out to us at Berks County Insurance right away to learn more. Our team will work with your Reading, PA needs and finds a policy that makes the most sense for your needs as a second homeowner.

The Reading, PA area continues to be a great place to own a home. If you are a property owner here, you will enjoy the long-term benefits that include price appreciation, tax benefits and also having a stable and consistent place to live in a nice community. Along with buying a home, you also need to spend time carefully considering your insurance needs. There are several benefits that come with home insurance.

Coverage Protects Dwelling

One of the benefits that you will receive along with your home insurance policy is coverage for your dwelling. If your home is ever damaged or destroyed by a fire or other significant issue, the cost of repairing can be significant. Fortunately, you are able to protect yourself with home insurance. This protection will give the support you need to repair or replace your property. 

Provides Liability Protection

Another reason that you should get home insurance is you will get liability protection. If there is ever an accident in your home that leads to bodily injury, you could be found liable for damages. If you do have a full home insurance policy, you will receive some personal liability protection. This will give you the coverage you need to pay for the damages or associated settlement expenses. 

Owning a home tends to be a good option for a lot of people in the Reading, PA area. If you are looking to purchase a home in this area of the state, you should call the team at Berks County Insurance. Picking an insurance policy can be difficult. Fortunately, Berks County Insurance can make it easier for you. The team here can help you evaluate your needs and choose a policy that provides the right coverage for your personal situation. 

As residents of Reading, PA know all too well, the winter months can be extremely tough weather-wise. Homeowners must take specific steps to mitigate the damage caused by the harsh winter weather. By following these crucial steps, homeowners can dramatically reduce the likelihood they will need to file a claim under their homeowners’ insurance policy. 

Freezing pipes are one of the leading causes of damage to homes during the winter. 

As winter approaches, be sure to drain and disconnect all hoses. In addition, you should insulate any pipes that are in unheated spaces such as the crawl space, garage, and attic if you plan on being away for an extended period before to let water drip from the faucet to prevent freezing. 

Another leading cause of damage to a home in the winter is hail. It is crucial to have your roof inspected before each winter and have any damage repaired. Also, after a hail storm, you will want to check your roof for any damage. If you find damage, be sure to file a claim as soon as possible. If you have questions about the claims process, reach out to Berks County Insurance. 

Wind damage can also cause havoc on your home during the winter. To mitigate potential damage, have your trees trimmed, and have any dead branches removed. Any patio furniture should be secured, and any light objects should be stored inside for the winter. 

Ice dams can also cause significant roof damage and water damage inside your home. Ice dams occur when the snow melts and refreezes in the gutters and expands. Proper insulation in the attic is one way to prevent ice dams. Also, have your gutters cleaned before winter. 

If you live in the Reading, PA area and would like to learn more about homeowners insurance, reach out to an agent at Berks County Insurance today. 

When it comes to keeping your home safe from a natural disaster in Reading, PA, preparation is key. Weather is unpredictable, and you never know when a flood, tornado, or other natural disasters could hit Pennsylvania. At Berks County Insurance, we want you and your property to be safe, so the following are some tips for keeping your home safe from a natural disaster.

First and foremost, it’s important to keep you, your family, and your pets safe. Make sure you have an evacuation plan and an emergency kit ready so you can run out the door if needed. If you need to leave in a hurry, it’s a good idea to shut off your water, gas, and electricity, so be familiar with how to do that quickly.

One of the most common issues with any disaster is a power outage. If possible, make sure you have a generator on hand, especially if you have household necessities that run on electricity, such as medical equipment or stored breast milk and medicine. Also stock up on essentials such as flashlights, batteries, blankets, and candles.

Another common problem during a natural disaster of any kind is downed trees and limbs. These can do severe damage to your home. Before nature strikes, you might consider removing any large or old trees on your property or near your home. You can also trim branches that are close to your home, as these could damage your roof, siding, or even come through a window.

Natural disasters often bring flooding, even if your home isn’t located in a flood zone. To protect your home, try to elevate electronics as much as possible. Also, install a sump pump, and if you already have one, check it regularly to make sure it is working.

When disaster strikes in Reading, PA, it can be hard to keep a level head. You can trust Berks County Insurance to help you with any insurance need in the event of a natural disaster.

Home owner’s insurance protects your home in the event of multiple forms of damage. This often includes break-ins. However, while the physical damage to your house is protected, the valuables stolen may not be. Due to this, it is important to look into the different home insurance options available for protecting your valuables. At Berks County Insurance, we are here to assist you with this, regardless of if you live in Reading, PA or the surrounding area. 

Personal Property Coverage

Personal property coverage is very similar to renter’s insurance. You inform the insurance provider what you wish to insure and the particular items are added to the coverage. This can range from your electronic devices like a computer to power tools, jewelry, paintings, or really anything else you’d be interested in protecting. The cost of your personal property coverage is generally based on the estimated value of the items you have included. It is important for you to update your personal property coverage when bringing new valuables into the house. This way, the added items can be covered under your home insurance policy.

Dwelling Coverage

It’s always a good idea to look into how your insurance provider covers you. Some coverage may only protect natural causes and other non-man made damage. If this is the case, you may need to look into dwelling coverage. This protects your house and helps cover the cost of broken windows or damage to the doors. 

At Berks County Insurance, we are here to help assist you in finding the right kind of insurance coverage for you and your family. Whether you live in Reading, PA or one of the surrounding communities, we want to sit down and help you find the right coverage for your particular needs.