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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!

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!

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.

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.