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Magic City Insurance Group LLC

4268 Cahaba Heights Ct., Ste. 136
Vestavia, AL 35243

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Insuring Your Home Theater Room

You probably know that special coverage for high-value items in your home can be wise, along with carefully documenting these items in case of a claim. At Magic City Insurance Group LLC, we know that many homeowners in Birmingham, AL, and elsewhere in our service area have installed home theater rooms that can be a combination of high-end audiovisual equipment, special seating, and renovations to the room, such as electrical wiring, lighting, and elevated floors.

When it comes to home insurance, you face several questions, including whether you need additional coverage for the value of the equipment, how to cover renovations, and whether any other special approaches to insuring your home may arise.

Thinking About Home Theater from a Risk Perspective

Many home theater installations are in basement spaces that have been repurposed for this use. As with other finished basement projects, it’s important to think about the risks that apply to spaces like these. In particular, flooding from the water table or water heater can be a concern, and some homeowners add a second sump pump as backup protection. For insurance, it’s important to make sure you’re covered for water problems as well as equipment damage and theft, and other risks identified by our helpful team at Magic City Insurance Group LLC. After all, your Birmingham, AL home theater room is part of your home, even increasing its value. Proper coverage is a wise choice!

Professional or DIY Installation?

If your home theater is professionally installed, you probably have the documentation you need for coverage and claims, which you should retain in a safe place and possibly share with our insurance professionals as well. If it’s more of a DIY project, don’t forget permits. Also, proper coverage of its value requires documentation, let’s talk!

Will my home insurance cover damages by a house sitter when I’m on vacation?

We go on vacations to have fun, to experience new things, and to let our daily anxieties fade away. Unfortunately, accidents can happen even when we take the right precautions and hire trusted individuals to house-sit our homes while we’re away.

Here at Magic City Insurance Group LLC, we get a lot of questions about the specifics of home insurance policies, including what happens when something goes wrong when the homeowner is away, and we’re always happy to help our Birmingham, AL clients get the answers they need!

Will My Home Insurance Cover Damages by a House Sitter When I’m On Vacation?

The most important thing that your insurer will look at when determining whose fault damages is will be whether the sitter was significantly negligent or purposeful in causing the damage. 

In cases where the sitter isn’t directly responsible for damages, you are likely going to be on the hook for them. For example, if you hired a house sitter to watch your dog and property and your dog caused water or structural damage to the home, then so long as your pet sitter went through a best-effort approach to mitigate the damage, you will be held responsible for the damages just as though you were at home.

However, if your house sitter caused damage to your home directly such as with burn damages from smoking inside or water damage from allowing the bathtub to overflow, then your insurance company will step in to provide legal and financial assistance to pursue damages from your house sitter under clauses similar to vandalism. 

Learn More About Home Insurance

For more information about Birmingham, AL home insurance policies and to get the best policy for your household, give our team at Magic City Insurance Group LLC a call today!

Do You Need to Upgrade Your Home Insurance?

If you’re like most homeowners, you may simply renew your home insurance annually without giving it much thought. Although it’s good to keep up with this coverage, there may be times when an upgrade is necessary due to changes in your home or lifestyle.

At Magic City Insurance Group LLC, serving the greater Birmingham, AL metroplex, we recommend that you review your policy annually to ensure your coverage is accurate and up to date. If there are discrepancies in your coverage, we can help you update your policy so you can continue to receive the full protection you need.

When to Upgrade Home Insurance Coverage  

Major changes to your home structure, household, or lifestyle could impact your home coverage, requiring an upgrade to your home insurance policy. By discussing these changes with your insurer, we can update your policy accordingly to retain the coverage you need:    

  • Home renovations that add footage to your property, i.e., a new bedroom, bathroom, or back patio, can increase your home’s value. To protect these interests, you may need to raise your dwelling coverage to reflect the increase in home value.  
  • If you’ve purchased high-end furniture, appliances, or electronics, you may need to increase your property coverage to ensure these items are fully protected against theft or damage in a disaster.
  • The addition of new members to your household, such as elderly parents or a new baby, may require an increase in liability coverage to ensure they’re protected against accidents on your property.
  • On the flip side, home improvements that increase your home’s safety and security, such as a new roof, new windows, or new electrical or plumbing system, could qualify you for a discount on your policy. 

Need to Upgrade Your Home Policy?

To upgrade your home insurance to retain the full protection your family needs, contact Magic City Insurance Group LLC in Birmingham, AL.

The 5 Most Common Types of Losses and How to Protect Your Home

A house is one of the most expensive investments you can make. You invest time, energy, and memories in addition to money. Magic City Insurance Group LLC in Birmingham, AL understands the value of your home. We want to help you protect it. The following are the five most common home losses, as well as the steps you can take to protect your home.

5 Most Common Home Losses

1. Wind and Hail Damage

When the weather forecast calls for high winds, take the time to secure or store any outdoor furniture or lawn ornaments. Keep cars in the garage to avoid hail damage, and have your roof inspected on a regular basis.

2. Water Damage and Freezing

Have you noticed a leak? Turn off the water to your home until the source is identified and corrected. Winterize your home to ensure that your pipes are in good working order.

3. Liability

Keep an eye out for anything that could endanger guests on your property. If you can’t fix them, tell your guests about them and try to work around them.

4. Fire and Lightning

Make sure your fire alarm batteries are changed on a regular basis. Avoid leaving unattended candles, plugins, or wax warmers.

5. Theft

Invest in a high-quality home security system. To deter curious eyes, leave your porch light on at night. Maintain regular contact with your neighborhood watch.

Give Us a Call

The truth is that we have no control over the weather, and accidents do occur. Aside from these precautions, the best way to protect your home is to obtain adequate insurance coverage.  Magic City Insurance Group LLC can assist you with this. Call us today and let one of our highly trained agents help you find the policy that works for you. We are well-versed in the needs of homeowners in Birmingham, AL and can help you safeguard your home investment.

Do all Birmingham property owners need home insurance?

Owning a home is a good idea for a lot of people in the Birmingham, AL area. When you are a property owner in this part of Alabama, you will enjoy having a consistent place to call home and can benefit from long-term price appreciation. If you are going to purchase a home here, you also need insurance for it.

There continue to be great reasons why someone here should have coverage for their home:

Protect Dwelling and Assets

A reason that all people in Birmingham should have this insurance is so they can protect their dwellings and assets. If you are going to buy a home, you will want to know that you have the ability to repair it when necessary. If you have a full plan, it will give you the support you need to protect your dwelling and any personal belongings. 

Offset Liability Risks

You also should have home insurance to offset your liability risks. There are always liability risks that come when you are a property owner. As the cost to cover damages or injuries can be significant, finding a way to offset and mitigate this risk is always important. A great way this can be done is by getting a home insurance plan as it will also include a provision for liability insurance. 

Contact Us Today

If you are a property owner in the Birmingham, AL area, it is clearly very important that you get the insurance that you need. If you are looking for this type of insurance here, the team with Magic City Insurance Group LLC is a good group to call. Many people will enjoy working with Magic City Insurance Group LLC as we offer personalized support that will help you build a plan that can meet your needs. 

Home Insurance Basics

Protecting your home is a crucial part of your financial plan. The experts at Magic City Insurance Group LLC in Birmingham, AL can help you make the best possible insurance choices for you and your family. 

An Investment For The Future

Most people do not think of their insurance policies as investments, but the truth is that protecting yourself from devastating expenses is definitely an investment. Should your home be severely damaged or lost, you and your family would be placed in a vulnerable position both physically and financially. A solid home insurance policy will protect you from these types of risks. 

Protection You Can Count On

Not only does a solid insurance policy pay for repairs or replacement of your home should it be damaged, but the liability coverage on your policy can also protect you from liability expenses. If someone is injured in your home or on your property, you could be held liable for medical bills and legal fees if they choose to take legal action against you. Home insurance will protect you from these types of expenses by paying part or all of them. 

Peace of Mind

The most important way that a home insurance policy benefits you is by giving you peace of mind. Life is full of unexpected surprises, some good, some not so good. When unexpected damage or expenses pop up, you can rest assured that you have someone in your corner to support you financially. 

Get Home Insurance Today

If you would like to learn more about home insurance, please contact us at Magic City Insurance Group LLC in Birmingham, AL. We will be happy to answer your questions and help you today. 

How Does My Credit Score Affect My Home Insurance Rates?

Credit scores are used by most home insurers to determine the risk of insuring a home. If your credit score is low, you might have to pay higher premiums or even be denied coverage altogether. Your credit score is determined by a number of factors, such as how long you’ve had credit, and how difficult it is to obtain credit from various sources. 

If you want to better your credit score, you should make it a priority to reimburse your bills on time and maintain a low balance on any credit cards you have. Reducing hard inquiries on your report can also help. For expert advice, consult with Magic City Insurance Group LLC in Birmingham, AL.

Credit Scores’ Affect On Home Insurance Rates

You’re probably wondering how one piece of data can have such a large impact on your financial future. Well, it’s true — your credit score is the most important factor when it comes to getting a good deal on your home insurance. The average US homeowner has a credit score of around 640, which puts them in the “low-risk” category. 

Homeowners in this category have the best chance of getting the lowest rates when they are looking to renew their home insurance. Keep your credit utilization low by closing open accounts, and keeping your credit utilization below 30%. Be careful with new applications, as they may report your old credit history. And finally, keep your credit active. 

Contact Us Today

Credit scores are used by insurance companies to determine your risk and how much you should pay for a policy. If you have a higher credit score, then you’re considered less of a risk to the insurance company and can expect to pay less for your home insurance premiums. If your credit score is low, your rates will also be higher because the insurance company sees you as a risk. For inquiries in Birmingham, AL, give us a call at Magic City Insurance Group LLC.

Things home insurance won’t cover

Owning a home is a huge responsibility. So many things can go wrong that could damage your home. It is vital that you read your home insurance policy. Some things are excluded from coverage. Once you know what the exclusions are you can have an alternative plan for coverage. At Magic City Insurance Group LLC in Birmingham, AL, we strive to educate and make sure our customers have the coverage they need. 

Sewer backup

As disgusting as it is to think about what a mess a sewer backup could cause, it is even worse to consider that mess not being covered by home insurance. If it makes you uneasy, you can get an endorsement that will cover you in the event it happens. 

Earth movement

Feeling the earth move under your feet? Not a good thing when it comes to home insurance. Almost all earth movements are not covered by traditional home insurance. That includes earthquakes, landslides, mudslides, and sinkholes. However, if you feel that you are in danger of this happening, you can get a separate policy to cover whichever one might be a danger to you. 

Flooding

Flooding is probably what shocks most people when it isn’t covered by home insurance. By flooding, it means surface water. If one of your pipes breaks in the house, that will be covered by your policy. But the water from the ocean, a stream, or a river will not. You can, however, purchase a policy through the National Flood Insurance Program. 

Owner neglect

As the owner, you are expected to maintain your home. This includes termites and mold, replacing your roof as needed, and any other maintenance that needs to be done. Damage that results from neglect won’t be covered. 

Contact Magic City Insurance Group LLC in Birmingham, AL when you are in the market for home insurance. 

Making and storing a home inventory

A home inventory is one of those things that you don’t realize you need until it is too late. When you file a claim on your home insurance after a loss, depending on the type of loss, you may need to provide the insurance company with a list of what was lost. When you have just been traumatized by the damage, it is hard to even imagine what you had previous to the peril happening. At Magic City Insurance Group LLC in Birmingham, AL, we want to make sure that you understand why you need to have a home inventory. 

A home inventory is a list of all the contents of your home. It can be created in a variety of ways, but no matter what way you choose, it needs to be detailed and comprehensive. You can start with a pad and pencil, but be sure to have a way to take pictures of every room. 

Inventory one room at a time. List the obvious things you can see. In the case of electronics or appliances, give the brand, model, and serial number if available. Attach any sales slips or invoices that you have to back up the details. Open drawers, closets, and cabinets. Go through every room in your home and don’t forget the basement and attic. You should also include the garage and a shed if you have one, 

Take pictures of every room from different angles to include as much detail as possible. Once everything is complete, the inventory needs to be placed somewhere safe, preferably not in the home. If you have a safe deposit box that is good or in the Cloud. You need the inventory to be available if you need it. 

In Birmingham, AL, contact Magic City Insurance Group LLC when you need an independent insurance agent. 

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