What I need for a Homeowners Insurance Quote:

Year Built: Most insurance companies need to know what year your home was built.  The age of your home affects the type of risk it is for an insurance company to insure.  A lot of insurance companies also offer discounts on newer homes.For instance, Farmers Insurance offers a “New Home Discount” on homes that were built within the last 10 years or newer.

Square Feet:

The size of your home is very important.  Most Homeowners Insurance policies will insure by Replacement Cost rather than Actual Cash Value, and the size of your new home is a necessity when configuring the Replacement Cost.

Type of Home:

Is your home a 1 story

•  1 1/2 story
• 2 story
• Ranch
• Tri-level
• Mobilehome
• Modular Home
• Townhouse
• Condo, etc.

Roof Type:

• How old is the roof? 
• Is it Asphalt Shingles? 
• Does it have a warranty?

Insurance History:

• Have you ever had a Homeowners Insurance Claim?  If so, how long ago and for how much?

Basement:

• Is there a basement? 
• Is it finished? 
• What percentage is finished? 
• Is it a walkout basement? 

Garage Type:

• Attached/Detached? 
• How many Stalls?

Interior Information:

• Is the interior of the home Drywall or Plaster? 
• Covered in Paint or Wallpaper? 
• Is the flooring mostly Carpet, Hardwood, Tile, Laminate, etc.?

Baths:

• How many baths does your home have?
• Full baths?  
• Half Baths?  
• Custom Baths?

Chimney:

• Is there a fireplace?  Gas, electric? 
• What’s the homes main heating source?
• How many chimneys?

Renovations:

• When was the electric updated? 
• How old is the Furnace? 
• Has the plumbing been updated?

Farmers Next Generation Homeowners Insurance Policy offers discounts for all three of these types of Renovations.

Additional Features:

• Does your home have a Deck?
• Jacuzzi?  
• Swimming Pool?
• Skylights?  
• French Doors?  
• Sliding Glass Doors?  
• Hot Tub?  
• Trampoline?

Contributed to GrandRapidsResource.com by:

David Gregwer at Farmers Insurance