VU Resources

An Agent Call to Action: Underinsurance

Is it time to re-visit the methodology used by agents to determine replacement costs and/or re-construction costs? How confident are you that the real property replacement values that you develop are sufficient to either replace or rebuild? If a natural catastrophe hit your community, would you have the same confidence in your replacement or rebuild…

Preparing a Home Inventory Before Storm Season Eases the Path to Faster Claim Settlements

With hurricane season a concern and unpredictable weather on the rise, homeowners’ losses can be devastating. After your insureds submit a claim, the insurer will request they document their damaged contents. Remind your insureds that homeowners’ claims are always much easier to settle if they prepare a home inventory before they experience a loss. Now…

Tornado Season Ahead Caution Sign With Tornado Background

2022 ISO Homeowners’ Changes in Chart Form

Charts are probably the most helpful resource for keeping track of key Homeowners’ policy provisions. Being able to see key information in one, easy-to-read form aids in memory and retention; besides, it allows easy recall because the charts can be printed for easy reference. ISO’s release of its 2022 multi-state homeowners’ filing requires two different…

Mortgage, investment, real estate and property concept - close up of house keys. 3d rendering illustration

Townhouses: HO-3 or HO-6?

An often asked question is, “Which is more appropriate when writing a townhouse within a homeowners’ association that purportedly provides the real property coverage for the entire building?” This is a really good question because in these situations, the agent must choose between the HO-3 and the HO-6.

Row of colorful, red, yellow, blue, white, green painted residential townhouses, homes, houses with brick patio gardens in summer

Why Defining Actual Cash Value is Amazingly Difficult

The concept of actual cash value (ACV) is far more complicated than “replacement cost minus physical depreciation.” In fact, the meaning of replacement cost differs based on the state. To further complicate the “problem” with defining ACV is whether or not labor is depreciable. Again, the answer differs based on the state in which the…

Law.

Valued Policy Laws: What is a “Valued Policy”

Valued policy laws require the insurance carrier to pay the face amount of the policy if the structure is a “total loss.” In these situations, it does not matter if the replacement cost is less than the face amount. This article links to a list of states with valued policy laws and the particulars of…

Home Sharing Hosts and the Loss of Income

Home sharing hosts have exposures not common to many homeowner clients, a business income exposure. When an unexpected loss occurs, the home owner losses a source of revenue. Does the homeowners’ insurance respond to this exposure? Check out this fictionalized interview to get the answer to this question.

BROWSTOWN, MICHIGAN-SEPTEMBER 20, 2019: Condominium homes in an upscale Detroit suburb.