Homeowners Insurance in Narragansett, RI
Experts break down homeowners insurance costs, coverage, companies, and more in Narragansett, RI.
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.
Narragansett is a small town in Washington County, RI with around 14,500 residents. The population of Narragansett swells in the summer, with visitors flocking to the town's exceptional beaches and other attractions.
Any home in Narragansett can sustain damage after a fire, a severe weather event, or even a break-in or vandalism.
If you are a homeowner in Narragansett, RI, the best way to protect yourself from the financial consequences of major disasters and 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 Narragansett, RI.
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 Narragansett, RI homeowners insurance covers repairing or rebuilding your home and replacing damaged possessions.
Homeowners insurance also provides liability insurance, which protects you if you or a family member injures someone else or causes damage to someone else’s property.
What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover in Narragansett, RI?
Homeowners insurance in Narragansett, RI covers both property and liability claims. It includes the following types of property coverage:
- Dwelling coverage: Pays to repair or replace your damaged or destroyed home.
- 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 Narragansett, RI 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 Narragansett, RI?
Homeowners insurance in Narragansett, RI covers many problems but does not cover everything. One primary concern for many homeowners is that it does not cover flood damage.
Flooding can happen anywhere. Ask your independent insurance agent if you 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 the exclusions to your liability coverage in your policy documents.
And remember, almost all homeowners insurance policies in Narragansett, RI 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 important to understand your policy's exclusions when purchasing your homeowners insurance so nothing catches you by surprise.
How Much Does Homeowners Insurance Cost in Narragansett, RI?
Homeowners insurance in Rhode Island can be expensive relative to other states. It is the 6th most expensive state for homeowners insurance in the US, with average premiums higher than the national average.
- National average annual homeowners insurance premium: $1,211
- Rhode Island's average annual homeowners insurance premium: $1,551
Your home insurance costs in Narragansett may be higher or lower than the state 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 has 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 Narragansett, RI home insurance.
What Common Disasters and Claims Are Covered by Homeowners Insurance in Narragansett, RI?
A variety of disasters and many mundane, day-to-day events can lead to property damage for Narragansett, RI, homeowners. Rhode Island has experienced 25 federally declared disasters since 1953. The top five property risks for homeowners in Rhode Island are:
- Hurricanes and tropical storms
- Heavy snow
- Severe storms and lightning damage
- Wind damage
- 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 Narragansett, the statewide burglary rate in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island: 2.66
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 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.
How to Find Cheap Homeowners Insurance Near Me
Finding the best rate on home insurance in Narragansett, RI is essential to staying within your family budget. But buying the cheapest homeowners insurance near you without a more thorough inspection of its coverage can be a serious mistake.
Shopping around is great, 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 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.
What Are the Best Homeowners Insurance Companies in Narragansett, RI?
Finding the best homeowners insurance companies in Rhode Island 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 Narragansett, RI?
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 various 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/narragansetttownwashingtoncountyrhodeisland,US/PST045221
https://www.iii.org/article/are-there-different-types-policies
https://www.floodsmart.gov/types-flood-insurance