AAA Advises Homeowners to do a New Year Check-Up of Insurance Policies
Phoenix, Ariz., December 11, 2007 – With Hanukkah starting one week ago today and Christmas only two weeks away, AAA Arizona advises homeowners to do an annual insurance checkup to ensure that new purchases and recent home renovations are covered in their policies.
“Many homeowners are unknowingly placing their families in jeopardy by failing to update their policies regularly or check for specific exclusions that apply,” said John Lawson, vice president of insurance services for AAA Arizona.
Insurance exclusions are those parts of your homeowner’s insurance policy that will not cover property or personal damages caused by the exclusion. For instance, most companies exclude certain breeds of dogs such as Rottweilers, Dobermans, chows and pit bulls from being covered on the policy.
In addition, although many homeowners may be enjoying expensive, new holiday gifts, it is likely that many of them have not yet contacted their insurance agent to update their policies.
For this reason, AAA reminds homeowners to do the following:
- Do your research. Puppies and trampolines are popular gifts this time of year, but be sure to check with your insurance agent before making your purchase. Insurance companies have different policies on other items too, including spas and swimming pools. Often times people do not realize—or they fail to tell their insurance company—that the trampoline they gave their child as a Christmas gift can actually be a tremendous liability.
- Protect your family. If you already own an animal considered high-risk by your insurance company, purchase insurance that will protect you in the event of a tragedy involving this animal. While often expensive to procure, the cost of the policy will pale in comparison to any damages you will pay out as a result of such a tragedy.
- Review your policy regularly. People can be exclusions too! If your children have started driving since you first purchased your policy, they may not be covered, depending on your insurance provider. Make it a habit to review your policy with your agent once a year just to be safe.
- Consider discussing a new plan with your insurance agent if you have recently renovated your home. If you have not updated your policy, but you have made changes to your home, those changes are unlikely to be covered under your current policy.
- Protect your personal possessions from theft and loss. This season’s most popular gifts are becoming increasingly more digital and technical, and therefore expensive. Ask for more coverage on one-of-a kind possessions you may have received this holiday season like flat screen TVs, gaming systems, digital cameras, mp3 players, PDAs and even the more traditional items such as jewelry and artwork.
AAA Arizona, the Arizona affiliate of AAA, provides automotive, insurance and auto travel services to nearly 775,000 Arizona members. Annually, AAA’s Emergency Road Service responds to more than 450,000 calls for help on the streets and highways of the state as well as providing insurance, travel, and financial services to AAA members and motorists. Since its founding in 1927, AAA Arizona has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. |
