Homeowners Insurance in Northbrook, IL
Experts break down Northbrook, IL homeowners insurance costs, coverage, companies, and more.
Jeff Green has held a variety of sales and management roles at life insurance companies, Wall street firms, and distribution organizations over his 40-year career. He was previously Finra 7,24,66 registered and held life insurance licenses in multiple states. He is a graduate of Stony Brook University.
Northbrook, IL is an affluent suburb of Chicago that has a population of over 34,000. Any home in Northbrook can sustain damage after a fire, a severe weather event, or even a break-in or vandalism.
If you are a homeowner in Northbrook, IL the best way to protect yourself from the financial consequences of major disasters and even everyday events is to purchase a reliable homeowners insurance policy. A local independent insurance agent can help you shop for the best homeowners insurance in Northbrook, IL.
What Is Homeowners Insurance?
Homeowners insurance is a type of personal insurance that protects your home. Most importantly, it covers property damage costs. Suppose your home is damaged or destroyed by a fire, storm, tornado, burglary, or another catastrophic event. Your Northbrook, IL homeowners insurance covers repairing or rebuilding your home and replacing damaged possessions.
Homeowners insurance also provides liability insurance, protecting you if you or a family member is sued for negligence.
What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover in Northbrook, IL?
Homeowners insurance in Northbrook, IL covers both property and liability claims. It includes the following types of property coverage:
- Dwelling coverage: Pays to repair and replace your damaged home and will even pay out the value of your home if it is a total loss.
- Contents coverage: Pays for damage to your insured personal property, such as furniture, clothing, artwork, etc.
- Other structures coverage: Covers any detached structures on your property (e.g., sheds, fences, detached garages).
- Loss of use coverage: Pays for additional living expenses (hotel bills, food, etc.) if you are forced to live somewhere else while your home is being repaired.
Homeowners insurance in Northbrook, IL also includes homeowners liability coverage. It protects you when someone claims you have caused an injury or property damage. It covers the injured party's expenses (e.g., medical bills, property repairs) and your legal fees if you're sued. After a lawsuit, it can even cover financial settlements or court-ordered judgments.
What Is Not Covered by Homeowners Insurance in Northbrook, IL?
Homeowners insurance in Northbrook, IL covers many problems, but it does not cover everything. One primary concern for many homeowners is that it does not cover flood damage.
Flooding is one of the top five risks for homeowners in Illinois. Northbrook has a moderate risk of flooding, which means flooding is likely to impact day-to-day life within the community. There are 1,131 properties in Northbrook that are likely to be severely affected by flooding over the next 30 years.
You may need flood insurance to supplement your home insurance policy. When you buy flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), you can affordably get up to $250,000 in structural coverage and $100,000 in contents coverage for your home.
The liability coverage in your homeowners insurance policy also has certain limitations. If, for example, you hurt someone intentionally, your liability coverage will not cover you if you’re sued. You can find all of the exclusions to your liability coverage in your policy documents.
And remember, almost all homeowners insurance policies in Northbrook, IL will exclude coverage for property damage caused by the following:
- Ordinance or law (e.g., demolition or construction required to bring your house up to code)
- Earth movement (e.g., earthquakes, sinkholes, landslides)
- Water damage due to floods, sewer backups, and water that seeps through the foundation
- Power failure
- Neglect
- War
- Nuclear hazard
- Intentional acts
- Governmental action (e.g., destruction, confiscation, or seizure of covered property by any governmental or public authority)
- Loss to property resulting from faulty zoning, bad repair or workmanship, faulty construction materials, and defective maintenance.
It's essential to understand your policy's exclusions when purchasing your homeowners insurance.
How Much Does Homeowners Insurance Cost in Northbrook, IL?
Illinois is the 29th most expensive state for homeowners insurance in the US, with average premiums lower than the national average.
- National average annual homeowners insurance premium: $1,211
- Illinois average annual homeowners insurance premium: $1,056
Your home insurance costs in Northbrook, IL may be higher or lower than average, depending on your home’s unique characteristics (size, location, age, value, etc.) and other risk factors (crime rate, severe weather risk) in your neighborhood.
Expect to pay more if your property's location comes with more hazards than most or if your home costs more to repair or rebuild than others.
Comparing quotes from multiple insurance companies and making sure you are maximizing your homeowners insurance discounts is the best way to make sure you’re getting the best rate on your Northbrook, IL home insurance.
What Common Disasters and Claims Are Covered by Homeowners Insurance in Northbrook, IL?
A variety of disasters and many mundane, day-to-day events can lead to property damage for Northbrook, IL homeowners. Illinois has experienced 63 federally declared disasters since 1953. The top five property risks for homeowners in Illinois are:
- Severe storms and lightning
- Flooding and water damage
- Tornados
- Heavy snow
- Burglary and other property crimes
If you experience a break-in, burglary, or other property crime, your home insurance will likely cover your loss. Fortunately for residents of Northbrook, the statewide burglary rate in Illinois is lower than the national average.
- Number of burglaries per 1,000 people in the US: 3.76
- Number of burglaries per 1,000 people in Illinois: 3.07
If you are the victim of a burglary, your homeowners insurance company can reimburse you for lost and damaged possessions and broken windows, doors, or locks. Be sure to call the police and your insurance company immediately if you discover a break-in. Keep a copy of the police report, too, because you’ll need it to file an insurance claim.
And don’t forget, your independent insurance agent is there to help and advise you through the claims process.
Cheap Homeowners Insurance Near Me
Finding the best rate on home insurance in Northbrook, IL is essential to staying within your family budget. But simply buying the cheapest homeowners insurance near you without a more thorough inspection of its coverage can be a serious mistake.
It’s great to shop around, but you may not want to choose a policy just because it’s the cheapest. Most homeowners need a policy that offers the best coverage to protect their home and fits their budget.
Suppose you don't have enough homeowners insurance when something goes wrong. If your policy doesn't fully reimburse you because you purchased cheap coverage, the financial consequences after a loss could be far more devastating than spending a few extra dollars for a better policy.
Many different factors influence the cost of your homeowners insurance, from how claims reimbursements are calculated to whether or not certain types of losses are covered. These differences will also affect whether or not your policy will fully reimburse you after a claim.
The best strategy is to discuss these issues with your independent insurance agent before deciding which policy offers the best value for your needs and budget.
Who Are the Best Homeowners Insurance Companies in Northbrook, IL?
Finding the best homeowners insurance companies in Illinois can be simple. A local independent insurance agent can help you get home insurance quotes from multiple insurance companies so that you can select the best policy for your needs and budget.
How Can an Independent Insurance Agent Help Me Find the Best Homeowners Insurance in Northbrook, IL?
Instead of getting an online quote, find an independent insurance agent now, and get a one-on-one consultation and affordable options for the best coverage for your unique needs. Your agent will work with you free of charge, offering you a variety of options so you can make the best choice.
What’s more, your agent will be there for you when claim time comes. They know the ins-and-outs of the process and will make sure your claim is handled appropriately.
Contact an agent today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/northbrookvillageillinois,US/PST045221
https://www.iii.org/article/are-there-different-types-policies
https://www.floodsmart.gov/types-flood-insurance
https://riskfactor.com/city/northbrook-il/1753481_fsid/flood