Three things you shouldn’t assume when it comes to jewelry insurance

Insuring your jewelry is important to prevent financial loss if you own valuable jewelry. Fortunately, you can protect the value of your jewelry with an insurance policy from The Insurance Outfit. We provide jewelry insurance to consumers in Chester, NJ.

The following are three things you shouldn’t assume when it comes to jewelry insurance. 

A jewelry insurance policy only provides coverage when your jewelry is stolen.

Jewelry insurance can cover your jewelry’s value in a wide range of scenarios. In addition to covering your jewelry when it is stolen, this type of insurance policy also may offer coverage when it becomes lost or damaged.

You don’t need jewelry insurance if you have renters or homeowners insurance.

Renters and homeowners insurance may indeed offer some coverage for jewelry value. However, the personal property coverage limits on a renters or homeowners insurance policy may not be high enough to cover the full value of your jewelry. 

When you buy a jewelry insurance policy, you can specifically purchase a certain coverage amount that you know offers full coverage for even your most valuable jewelry items. 

Having your jewelry appraised before taking out a jewelry insurance policy is unnecessary.

A jewelry appraisal is always a good idea when you want to buy jewelry insurance. When you appraise your jewelry’s value, you know how much coverage you need. This way, you can avoid either overinsuring or underinsuring your jewelry items. 

If you’d like to get a quote on a jewelry insurance policy, call us at The Insurance Outfit. We can help you to explore your insurance coverage options in Chester, NJ. 

When Should You Consider Purchasing a Separate Jewelry Insurance Policy?

Your home insurance policy typically covers limited amounts of jewelry. However, there are times when you should consider purchasing a separate jewelry insurance policy instead of relying on your home insurance policy to protect your jewelry. The team at The Insurance Outfit, serving the greater Chester, NJ area, is often asked when someone should consider purchasing a separate jewelry insurance policy. Read on to learn more. 

You Do Not Have a Home Insurance Policy

If you do not have a home insurance policy, you should consider purchasing a jewelry insurance policy to cover your jewelry. This helps cover your jewelry if you are in a rental home, living in someone else’s house, like a boyfriend, or while traveling. 

The Jewelry Exceeds Your Home Insurance Policy Limits

Another reason you may wish to purchase a separate jewelry insurance policy is that the value of your jewelry exceeds your home insurance policy limits. Always read your home insurance policy limits to find out how much coverage you have for your jewelry.  

You Have Irreplaceable or Expensive Jewelry

Lastly, you should consider purchasing a separate jewelry insurance policy if you have irreplaceable or expensive jewelry. Jewelry insurance policies make it easier to list individual jewelry values, which is much harder to do with home insurance. This helps you when it comes to valuing your irreplaceable and expensive jewelry. 

If you have expensive or irreplaceable jewelry pieces, you may consider purchasing a separate jewelry insurance policy to fully cover and protect your expensive jewelry. The Insurance Outfit, serving the greater Chester, NJ area, can help if you are looking for a jewelry insurance policy. Reach out to us today to get started. 

Home Insurance Needs for New Jersey Residents

New Jersey residents appreciate the many great things about their state, which is known affectionately as the “Garden State.” There is the world-famous Jersey Shore to enjoy for a day at the beach. There is the waterfront walkway at the Liberty State Park with its magnificent view of the Statute of Liberty. Commuters use the connection with New York City by going across the George Washington Bridge.

If you have a home or are thinking about buying a home in New Jersey talk to an agent at The Insurance Outfit, serving Chester, NJ and the surrounding area.

Here are some considerations to discuss to make sure your home insurance provides adequate protection:

  • Storms: The most common claims for homes in New Jersey is damage from severe storms. This includes damage from wind, heavy rain, and hail. There is also the possibility of damage from a hurricane and the associated storm surge. You may want to get flood insurance along with home insurance.
  • Falling Trees: Trees may fall due to a storm; however, they can also fall down simply due to age.
  • Domestic Workers: New Jersey law requires all employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This applies to domestic workers as well. If you plan to pay someone to help you in the home, talk with your insurance agent to get the proper insurance coverage.
  • Intoxicated Guests: If you like to have parties in your home, this type of insurance claim is a common one. If a guest falls even if it is their own fault, you, as the homeowner, are still responsible.
  • Accidents: Common accidents are people who slip and fall due to ice on the walkways leading up to a home or on the front steps.

Make sure you have adequate insurance coverage for protection against the liability from these five common things and others that you can discuss with your agent. Contact an agent at The Insurance Outfit in Chester, NJ by calling 908-955-7561 or use the convenient online form to get a home insurance quote.

Why You Should Protect Your Jewelry and Other High-Worth Items with Jewelry Insurance

If you are a resident in the greater Chester, NJ area, it may be time to check your homeowner’s insurance policy to make sure it provides all of the protection that you need. Typical homeowners policies have value limits on single items. A jewelry insurance policy, sometimes referred to as a personal articles policy, can bridge the gap and protect the full value of your jewelry. The team at The Insurance Outfit is here to provide the information that you need to gain a better understanding of jewelry insurance and why you may need to add it to your insurance portfolio. 

Don’t overlook this important type of coverage

Have you reviewed your homeowner’s policy to make sure that the coverage limits are sufficient for your jewelry and other high-worth items? If you want to fully protect your valuables, it is time to take a look at your options for additional insurance and protection. With jewelry insurance, you will have the protection that you need to fully cover your items in the event of loss, theft, or damage. Make sure that your insurance contains all of the features that you want. No one wants to find out that they lack the coverage that they need after the fact! Now is the right time to take a look at the details of your current policy and decide if you need further protection. This is just one reason that we recommend that our clients have their entire insurance portfolio reviewed by a professional agent on a regular basis. 

Do you have pieces of jewelry that require additional insurance coverage in the greater Chester, NJ area? Contact the team at The Insurance Outfit today and find out more about your insurance policy options.

Buying a New Home Soon? Here’s Why You Need Home Insurance

Purchasing an ideal living space is always a significant investment. As such, it is vital to cushion yourself financially from unforeseen events that may render your home inhabitable. Here are other reasons why you should consider investing in a home insurance policy. 

It protects more than your home
A home insurance policy protects more than the structure of your house. For instance, a general liability policy protects you from claims that may be imposed upon you should an accident happen within your property. It also covers the cost of repairing someone else’s property should you or your family member accidentally damage it. Depending on the policy you take, the insurance company could also replace personal belongings such as electronics or furniture that are damaged or stolen. 

It covers your living expenses should an insured event render it inhabitable 
Calamities such as hurricanes and floods may force you out of your home. A comprehensive insurance policy will cover the cost of living in a home or motel until your home is restored. However, make sure you understand the extent to which the insurance company is willing to cover your expenses. 

An insurance policy is necessary in case of a mortgage
Mortgage companies will ask you to provide proof that your home is insured before refinancing your mortgage. Most lenders want to be assured that their financial investment on your property is protected in the event of damages.  

There are various types of home insurance coverage options that are tailored to cover different needs. Should you need to learn more or are interested in a home insurance policy in Chester, NJ, contact The Insurance Outfit today; we work with a team of experienced agents who will guide you on the ideal coverage options for your home. 
 

Will my homeowners insurance cover my jewelry?

Your homeowner’s insurance policy in Chester, NJ protects you from loss in case of a house fire, burglary or other unforeseeable circumstances. Knowing you have protection through The Insurance Outfit gives you peace of mind, because you know that if anything happens you will be taken care of.

A standard homeowner’s insurance policy covers the property itself, appliances and your personal possessions, like clothes. It may also cover some other losses, like liability if you are sued. You should feel comfortable with your payment and deductible, while still having enough coverage so that you do not suffer in case of a loss.

However, your jewelry may have limited coverage under your homeowner’s policy. Depending on the jewelry, it may be very expensive or one-of-a-kind. Items such as jewelry, electronics, collectibles and other kinds of items  If an item is very rare or valuable, it may exceed your policy limits. 

You also need to make sure that the reason for your loss is covered under your policy. While many specific situations are covered, such as windstorm, pipes freezing, volcanic eruption or theft, many policies have exclusions, such as losses due to flooding. You may also have a problem if you simply misplace or lose your jewelry, and that event is not specified in your policy. The most important thing is to understand your contract, and speak to your agent if you have any questions.

You can still get extra protection for your jewelry. In New Jersey, you can add more coverage by Endorsement. This is also called a Floater, or a Rider. If you are in Chester, NJ and want to discuss your options for adding coverage through The Insurance Outfit, please feel free to call any time to speak to one of our agents. 

3 Reasons to Renovate Your Older Home

If you love your older home but want to improve its looks and function, renovating offers a practical means of making the changes you desire. Through home renovations, you can improve your home’s function and style without compromising its charm. Renovating an older house serves many purposes. Here are just a few.

Enhance Safety

Home improvements such as upgrading windows and exterior doors, mounting deadlocks and installing a security system will make your Chester, NJ home a safer place to live. Repairing or replacing an old roof will ensure you and your property are well protected when adverse weather comes. If your older home has plumbing or electrical issues, upgrading these systems can reduce the risk of flooding or fire.

Making your home a safer environment could also help lower your home insurance costs. By talking to an agent from The Insurance Outfit, you can get a better idea of what improvements qualify you for discounted insurance prices.

Improve Function

Home renovations such as remodeling your kitchen or bathroom or adding a bedroom or home office help to improve your home’s function. A new bedroom, home office or patio adds more living space to your property for greater comfort and enjoyment. Investing in new appliances when remodeling your kitchen saves you time, money and effort in preparing meals and maintaining a hygienic kitchen environment.   

Add to Property Value

Major home renovations can add value to your older home, making it more appealing to buyers if you plan to sell in the future. If you choose to stay, remodeling allows you to create the kind of environment you love most.   

When remodeling your home, consider how renovations will affect your insurance coverage. For greater insight on insurance options and costs for your older home, contact The Insurance Outfit in Chester, NJ.  

Buying Auto Insurance that is Best for NJ Drivers

Driving in New Jersey is definitely not like hitting the open roads of Montana. For that reason, New Jersey drivers have unique needs for automobile insurance that takes into account the high traffic and population density of the area, while providing adequate protection for your investment in your vehicle.

New Jersey’s mandatory vehicle insurance requires all registered vehicles to have three different types of insurance:

  • Liability insurance to pay for damages if you are responsible due to an accident. (This does not include medical expense coverage.)
  • Personal injury protection (PIP) covers medical expenses for your injuries in an accident. This is sometimes called No Fault coverage because it pays you regardless of who caused the crash.
  • Uninsured motorist insurance covers you if you have an accident with someone who does not follow the law, and doesn’t have the insurance coverage mandated.

While New Jersey does require these liability insurance coverage limits, we feel that the mandatory limits are extremely low for today’s reality. The state requires coverage only in the amount of 15/30/5, which is one of the lowest of all the states in U.S. When you get into an accident in Chester, NJ is not the time you want to realize that you don’t have enough coverage to fix your car or pay your medical bills. With liability limits of only $15,000, it could leave you a large bill over and above what your insurance company will pay if you total someone’s brand new Mustang.

For these reasons, we suggest that you call The Insurance Outfit and discuss your vehicle, your driving habits, and your insurance needs. They’ll be glad to consult with you and offer their suggestions for coverage. Reach them today at 908-955-7561.

Why You Need To Explore Coverage Options On Your Home

It’s important to explore coverage options on your home in Chester NJ. This way, you know you have a better home insurance policy in place. Anything can happen, and you want to be prepared for it all.

What are You Covered Against?

Snow, rain, fire and more can happen when you live in Chester, NJ. While you hope nothing would ever actually take place, you just never know. If you take the time to explore your coverage options on insurance with the help of The Insurance Outfit, you can be sure you have the necessary coverage.

Fire, theft, and storms are covered. However, floods and hurricanes are not often included. This is when you need to look for the “added” coverage options that you have to cover at an additional cost. It’s often worth it to add these so you have the coverage for the “what if” scenarios.

Will a Claim Take Care of Everything?

You also need to look to see if a claim would take care of everything based on what you own and what your home has. Your policy might not have anything above and beyond standard valued items. If you have expensive artwork, collectibles, or anything else inside, be sure that you have the increased coverage on your policy. Otherwise, a claim might only pay for a fraction of what was damaged.

Claims don’t always take care of everything. If you have a pool, a shed, a detached garage, or any other pieces of property that are damaged, they need to be part of your policy. Otherwise, the insurance company won’t include them within the claim.

Contact one of our agents at The Insurance Outfit today to begin exploring coverage options. We will work to make sure your policy is inclusive of everything you need.

 

Do you need a car in Chester NJ?

If you live in NYC, chances are you don’t own a car. The same goes in some other cities, like San Francisco and the more urban, densely-populated parts of New Jersey. So what about Chester, NJ? Chester is a little more out of the way and a bit spread-out. Not totally rural, but hardly as dense as the heart of Brooklyn. So is it a driver’s town, or can you get by without a set of wheels of your own?

Here are two basic facts to consider:

  • Chester, NJ does have a transit system, but…
  • Chester isn’t the most walkable town

This means that it’s easy to take a bus for longer trips across town, but the walk once you get there might not always be easy. If your bus stop is a mile or farther away from your home, then you’re going to wind up spending a lot of time on foot.

If you do settle on buying a car of your own, The Insurance Outfit can help you to get a great deal on your coverage based on the simple fact that Chester is a relatively safe town for drivers. When an area is a little more rural, accidents are less likely to happen, so insurance costs are a little lower. That will be reflected when you shop for insurance through The Insurance Outfit.

Choosing whether or not to buy a car in Chester depends on your needs. If you work from home and only go grocery shopping once a week, maybe you can get by on the bus. Otherwise, having a car can be tremendously helpful.