A well-maintained landscape not only enhances your home’s curb appeal but can also play a significant role in preventing potential insurance claims. At Fortress Insurance Agency, serving residents in the greater Overland Park, KS area, we want to help you understand why keeping your outdoor space in tip-top shape matters.

The Importance of Maintaining Your Landscaping

Preventing Liability Hazards

Overgrown trees and bushes can obscure walkways and driveways, increasing the risk of accidents. Regular trimming and maintenance help prevent injuries to visitors and passersby. This proactive approach can reduce the likelihood of liability claims and help keep your insurance premiums in check.

Protecting Against Weather Damage

Proper landscaping can act as a natural barrier against weather-related damage. Well-maintained trees are less likely to break and cause property damage during storms. Additionally, regular yard maintenance minimizes debris buildup that could clog drains and lead to flooding.

Preserving Property Value

Neglected landscaping can lead to issues like soil erosion and water damage, affecting the structural integrity of your home. Routine upkeep, such as maintaining a healthy lawn and proper drainage, helps preserve your property’s value and reduces the likelihood of making a claim due to preventable damage.

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Maintaining your landscaping isn’t just about aesthetics – it’s a proactive measure to prevent potential home insurance claims. By reducing liability hazards, protecting against weather damage, and preserving your property’s value, a well-kept outdoor space can contribute to a safer and more secure home. Regular landscaping maintenance is an investment that pays off both in terms of your home’s appearance and your insurance risk mitigation. If you are in the market for a new home insurance policy in the greater Overland Park, KS region, let Fortress Insurance Agency assist you. Call now to learn more.

Homes come in different styles, sizes, and shapes, but they all need protection. One way to protect your home is to have security dogs and install alarms, perimeter walls, and anti-theft doors. While these security measures are good, you need home insurance to protect your home even after disaster strikes. But since you may not be familiar with home insurance, confusion may reign when choosing policies.

Fortress Insurance Agency in Overland Park, KS is here to help you navigate this important insurance coverage.

Here are home insurance policies you can consider:

Dwelling coverage

Perhaps, this is the primary reason most homeowners invest in home insurance. Home insurance protects your building against various perils, including lighting, hail, vandalism, falling objects, fire, theft, etc. Should any listed risk damage your home, your policy compensates you up to the coverage limit.

Contents coverage

Home insurance protects your assets, too. Home insurance compensates you should fire, theft, and other risks happen to your belongings, including your clothing, electronics, fixtures, etc. If you want all your possessions covered, conduct a "room from room count" to ensure nothing is left out.

Liability coverage

It is one of the most underrated home insurance policies, yet it can save you from significant financial losses. Liability coverage protects you when third parties accuse you of bodily injury and property damage. And that’s not all. Liability coverage pays for legal costs when sued.

Additional living expenses coverage

If a peril in your policy damages your home, home insurance covers the cost of accommodating you in a hotel or residence similar to your home. This way, you don’t have to rely on your friends and relatives for shelter when disaster strikes.  

Medical payments

This policy covers minor medical costs for non-household members who sustain injuries while on your property.

Give Us A Call

Want to invest in home insurance in the greater Overland Park, KS community? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Fortress Insurance Agency for a competitive quote.

Fortress Insurance Agency assists the Overland Park, KS community and the surrounding areas. We strive to build long-lasting relationships with our clients so that we can help them as their needs change over time. We offer several types of coverage to ensure that our clients can receive help regardless of their issues. The policies are flexible and designed to cover our clients in multiple ways. We can help you put a plan in place, so you will be covered if an unexpected issue arises.

4 Insurance Mistakes Home Owners Make

Your Overland Park KS home is one of your most prized possessions. You have likely devoted a lot of time and energy to finding your dream home. Home insurance allows you to protect your investment. The structure of your home is covered in the event of possible damage. This gives you a layer of protection if your ceiling is damaged due to an accidental fire or your window is cracked. If you plan to invite guests over on a regular basis, liability coverage protects you if one of your guests suffers an injury on your property. While looking over your home insurance policy, avoid these common mistakes.

Not Taking Inventory

Many homeowners fail to take inventory of their possessions. Taking inventory helps things run smoothly if you are a victim of theft. You’ll be able to show which possessions you’ve lost and need to be replaced.

Neglecting Flood Insurance

If you reside in an area with heavy rainfall, flood insurance is an asset. The policy helps cover any damage to your possessions due to a flood.

Extra Coverage

If you have luxury items at your home, you’ll need to amend your policy to cover any luxury items if they are stolen or vandalized.

Maintenance

You have to take care of your home. If your home develops mold, or rodent damage, home insurance does not cover you  

Fortress Insurance Agency Will Help You Protect Your Assets

Visit our website to learn more information about home insurance.

Purchasing a homeowners insurance policy protects you and your family’s home and belongings. In addition, most policies provide coverage to help replace or repair your home and its contents should they be damaged, destroyed, or stolen. As your most valuable asset in Overland Park, KS, you want your home to have all the protection available through your insurance policy. In addition, should a fire occur, your insurance policy should provide you the protection you need. 

To verify fire protection coverage or discuss more insurance options, call us at Fortress Insurance Agency today.

Should there be a fire, the following items are typically covered by homeowners insurance: 

Dwelling

Your homeowners insurance policy should cover the costs of repairs or rebuilding the structure of your home. Additionally, insurance typically covers any attached structures, such as a garage. If your home cannot be lived in, your insurance policy may also cover your hotel and food costs. 

Detached Structures

Also referred to as “other structures coverage,” your homeowners insurance policy may have coverage for detached structures on your property. These types of structures include sheds, detached garages, pools, and fences. 

Personal Property

Homeowner’s insurance typically covers personal belongings within the home, including appliances, clothing, and furniture. If these items are destroyed or damaged in a fire, your policy may help pay to replace or repair them. 

Other Coverage

Additionally, you may also be covered for damage to landscaping, such as trees and shrubs caused by the fire. 

Wildfire Damage

Depending upon the area, your policy may include coverage for wildfire damage caused to your property. 

To fully understand how much fire protection you have in your insurance policy, you must read it in its entirety. However, those in Overland Park, KS who still have questions about fire coverage should call our agents at Fortress Insurance Agency. We can help answer any questions you may have and get you the coverage you need. 

Homeownership brings many risks, and about one in twenty homeowners file an insurance claim every year. When a claim relates to the home’s content, having a home inventory can make the process move along much smoother. At Fortress Insurance Agency in Overland Park, KS, we have years of experience providing a personalized assessment of your insurance needs and ensuring you have the correct protection. 

Creating a home inventory takes quite a lot of effort, but if you ever need to file a claim, you will be very grateful. You have several options for how to create your inventory. You can do it digitally, or you can do it manually with a pen and paper. Both are functional and provide the needed information. The object is to make sure you create an inventory with as much detail as possible. Go from room to room in your house and document what you have in each room. Open drawers and closets, leave nothing unturned.

When it comes to detail, add the brand name, model name or number, the serial number, and purchases. In other words, don’t say three vases, say one Lennox 18 inch vase, one eight-inch blue pottery German vase, and one hobnail milk glass bud vase. Take pictures of anything valuable. Having an appraisal or receipt really helps. Make sure backup records are attached and stored with the inventory. Don’t forget to visit the attic, basement, and garage. 

Where you store your inventory is important. Consider the possibility of your home being destroyed by a tornado or a fire. It might be tough to locate the inventory if you haven’t taken the right precaution. If possible store it off-site in a safety deposit box. At the very least, store it in a fire and waterproof box. 

Contact Fortress Insurance Agency in Overland Park, KS for all your insurance needs. 

 

Every resident in Overland Park, KS can appreciate that "there’s no place like home" after a long day. Most homeowners never have to file a home insurance claim, but it’s wise to ask your insurance agent these questions in case you do. Here are a few common questions our customers ask us at Fortress Insurance Agency:

1. "Is water and sewer backup damage included in Kansas home insurance?"

Most home insurance policies in Kansas don’t cover water-related damage, but you can ask your insurance agent about adding a sewer backup rider to your policy. You would still need to purchase a separate flood insurance policy under the federal National Flood Insurance Program. 

2. "Does the policy cover fine jewelry, artwork, and other highly valuable items?"

Home insurance in Kansas sometimes offers protection for high valued items, but the amount varies. Coverage may be limited in certain situations. Check with your insurance agent to determine if you need to get a separate insurance policy for adequate coverage on these special items. 

3. "What proof will I need to file a claim?"

Understanding what you need to file a claim is very important with your home insurance. Take photographs of receipts, relevant documents, and detailed parts of your home before and after the damage. Contact your insurance agent right away, and wait for the adjuster to arrive and inspect your property before you can make repairs, if possible. After that, you can make temporary repairs to prevent further damage to your home. You may be reimbursed if you submit this documentation with your claim. 

Feel free to contact us at Fortress Insurance Agency if you have questions, too. Our knowledgeable staff serves Overland Park, KS, and surrounding areas. No matter what life throws your way, we’re here for your insurance needs!