Navigating homeowners insurance coverage can be tricky. The good news is that the insurance professionals at Dern & Company can help homeowners in and around Milwaukee, WI find the insurance solutions to meet their needs.  

One of the essential aspects of understanding an insurance policy is knowing what will NOT be covered. While homeowners insurance policy requirements vary by jurisdiction (or endorsements or add-ons), most policies designed to protect homeowners typically exclude:

• Flood Damage — the damage that a flood may cause is typically covered by specific insurance issued by FEMA – through the NFIP, the National Flood Insurance Program – which is available through Dern & Company.
• Sewer/Drainage Back-ups — certain insurance policies offer coverage if the drain was located on the property; however, it would likely not cover an issue that occurred down the road and off the property.
• Repeated/Consistent Water Leakage — any slow and consistent leaks are usually only covered by an add-on endorsement, not a standard homeowners policy.
• Mold/Microbes — mold is typically a covered event if it occurs and is sourced (to an unexpected/accidental water discharge) to the property covered by the policy. Many policies have time restrictions that require policyholders to report the event in a certain timeframe.
• A Frozen Plumbing or Heating System — while most quality policies will cover an event like this, a policyholder must proactively take steps to avoid the event. For example, if you leave the property for a two-week vacation and turn the heat off, the loss would likely not be covered if the pipes freeze.

Do you have questions regarding a homeowners insurance policy for a home or condo in the greater Milwaukee, WI area? Contact the licensed professionals at Dern & Company at 414-935-5700.

If you own valuable items like jewelry, artwork, or antiques, it’s essential to ensure they’re covered for theft or damage. While homeowner’s insurance typically covers the cost of your home and belongings, high-cost valuables may need additional coverage. At Dern & Company in Milwaukee, WI, we offer a range of insurance options to keep your valuables safe. 

Insuring Your Valuables 

Homeowner’s insurance may provide protection for some of your items, but coverage limits can be low, and certain items may not be covered at all. For example, if you own an expensive piece of jewelry or a work of art, you’ll want to ensure it’s adequately insured. 

We understand how vital these belongings are to you and offer personalized coverage plans that fit your needs and budget. We specialize in insuring high-value items, so you don’t have to worry about costly repairs or replacement costs should something happen. 

Choosing the Right Coverage Plan 

When considering insurance for your valuables, there are several factors to consider. What type of item do you need to insure? How much does it cost? Will the policy cover repairs as well as replacement? Our team can help answer these important questions so that you get the protection you need for your treasured possessions. 

At Dern & Company in Milwaukee, WI, we understand how important it is to protect your valuable items with the right coverage plan. We specialize in insuring high-cost valuables to protect them against theft or damage no matter what life throws at them. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help provide peace of mind with comprehensive insurance plans made just for you!

Your renter’s insurance policy from Dern & Company doesn’t just cover the items you own inside your apartment, condo, or rented home in Milwaukee, WI. It also covers them when you travel, whether for business or vacation.

The personal property coverage in your renter’s policy applies to all of the items you own, whether you keep them inside your domicile or in a storage unit. Packaging up your laptop or iPhone to go on vacation still enjoys the same great coverage, even in Bora Bora.

The same policy continues to protect what you have in your home. If a burglar breaks in while you’re gone and makes off with your wide-screen TV and stereo system, the renter’s policy covers that, too.

This hardworking policy covers both situations at the same time. It also covers all the items you own while you travel around town.

Let’s say you go to the gym in Milwaukee, WI, and someone steals your iPhone from your locker. Your renter’s policy also covers that situation.

A renter’s insurance policy covers you, the renter, not the domicile itself. (That’s your landlord’s home policy that covers the structure.)

Wherever you go, your renter’s insurance goes, too. It covers your property wherever you use it. If you rent a hotel room or vacation home, your renter’s policy covers your belongings.

You also still enjoy liability coverage from your renter’s insurance. It travels with you, too. That means if you rented the vacation cottage at the beach where your mother-in-law broke her arm, the liability coverage from your renter’s policy protects you financially.

Contact Dern & Company Today

If you don’t have a renter’s policy from Dern & Company yet, contact us today to start this vital protection. Protect yourself wherever you rent.

If you notice any of the following signs, your roof likely needs to be replaced. Remember that these are only indicators, not necessarily conclusive proof, that you need a new roof. Be sure to consult with an experienced roofing contractor before making any major decisions regarding your roof.

Leaks: If you notice leaks anywhere on your house, this is likely a sign of an issue with your roofing system. Leaks can be caused by missing or damaged shingles, worn-out flashing around chimneys and vents, or water damage due to improper drainage of gutters and downspouts. You should always have a leak professionally inspected as soon as possible. If left unaddressed for too long, even small leaks can cause significant damage to the roof structure, walls, and ceilings of your home.

Moss: Moss can begin growing on roofs if they are not regularly maintained. If you notice moss or algae on your roof, it’s important to have it removed as soon as possible – moss tends to hold moisture against the shingles and is also abrasive enough to damage them. Having a professional remove the moss can prevent further damage from occurring in the future.

Missing shingles: A missing or damaged shingle here and there may seem like no big deal – but when left unattended for too long, it can put your entire roof at risk of water damage and other issues over time. Missing shingles can be caused by several things, such as high winds, improper installation or fastening, or being worn out over time.

If you have any additional questions about home maintenance, give Dern & Company a call today. We proudly serve the Milwaukee, WI area.

Accidents happen around the home. Unfortunately, some result in medium to excessive damage that a homeowner may have difficulty paying. Typically, home insurance covers these issues. However, does it handle issues related to water damage in a Milwaukee, WI property?

Sudden and Accidental

According to Dern & Company, home policies cover water damage if it’s sudden and accidental. For instance, your water heater ruptures and drenches the basement drywall or a leaking upstairs water pipe could cause the ceiling to collapse. As a result, it damages the lower floor’s surfaces. 

The coverage amount depends on a few factors. One is the liability amounts selected when you purchased the home policy. Another is the estimated cost provided by the insurance adjuster. 

Flood Damage

On the one hand, flood damage is covered by your home policy if it’s the result of the aforementioned broken pipes or water heater. On the other hand, flooding due to natural disasters isn’t covered. Thus, you wouldn’t be protected if a nearby stream or river overflowed its banks. 

A separate flood policy is required to cover these damages to a Milwaukee, WI home. It isn’t mandatory if your property doesn’t reside near a flood plain. Conversely, mortgage companies won’t finance a flood-prone home if the buyer doesn’t purchase a related insurance policy.

There’s a lot to decipher to determine your needs. So, it’s best to reach out to a subject matter expert in the insurance field to get the correct answers. Not only can they tell you if you have the needed insurance, but they will also check if you require a flood policy.

If you need assistance, contact the representatives at Dern & Company to get started. 

Homeownership can be expensive, but there are many costs that you won’t have to handle if you have a home insurance policy. These policies protect you financially against paying for expensive issues that may happen to your home. It’s essential to keep home insurance as long as you own your house. Call us now at Dern & Company in Milwaukee, WI if you need this insurance.

Coverage for Your Home

Home insurance offers coverage that protects your home against damage caused by a covered incident. These may be certain disasters and calamities as well as other incidents. When something happens that destroys the house or causes it damage, the policy will pay for the repairs that are needed for rebuilding if that is necessary. Without this coverage, the money for those repairs would come from your pocket. 

Possessions Protection

Another way that home insurance protects you is by protecting your possessions against damage and ruin. When something happens to or in your home that ruins your belongings, the policy can pay to replace them. If you think about the value of everything located in just one room, you soon see how much all of your belongings throughout the house are worth. This amount would be challenging for most people to come up with after a damaging incident, so having this insurance coverage is vital. 

Financial Protection for Liability

If someone outside your household were to get injured in an accident while on your property, you are likely to be held liable. This would mean that the medical bills were yours to pay. Home insurance protects you by paying those bills for you. 

Cover Your Home

If you need home insurance, call us today at Dern & Company in Milwaukee, WI.

Owning a home is an ideal achievement for residents residing within Milwaukee, WI, with numerous aspiring to retire in their properties during the later stages of their lives. Getting the benefits of this will, however, require you to get the ideal insurance, with a homeowner’s policy being an ideal place to start. Below, Dern & Company discusses some of the benefits that come with signing up for home insurance.

Protect Your Home

Hazards can occur at any time, with risks such as fire and hail damage likely to damage your property when they arise. Home insurance ensures that your home is protected from such incidences, with the right policy helping you fix your home to its previous state. Other perils that you can get protection from include vandalism and electrical faults.

Keeps Your Belongings Secure

One of the features that home insurance provides is content coverage for keeping your possessions safe. If perils such as hail damage your clothing, electronics or furniture, you can expect compensation for repairing or replacing these items. Take note that expensive possessions such as jewelry will not be covered and will often require additional coverage.

Covers Detached Structures

Home insurance will also protect detached structures such as garages or sheds when hazards occur, allowing you to keep various assets secure. Homeowners’ policies will also enable policy seekers to get customized coverage for additional structures purchased or built later on. With this, you get significant protection from numerous assets such as dog shelters and fences where possible.

Provides Liability Coverage

Liability coverage will be essential to have in your home insurance, with this feature allowing you to avoid any financial and legal problems. If, for instance, your guests get injured or their property gets damaged during a visit to your home, your policy will help you pay for the ensuing medical and property damage costs.

If you are looking for a way to enjoy any of the above benefits of home insurance, consider reaching out to Dern & Company today. Our Milwaukee, WI agents will help you figure out the ideal coverage to get for your property.

The Milwaukee, WI area continues to be a fast-growing part of the country as it offers a lot of amenities and advantages to local residents. As you are looking to move to this area, picking a housing option is important. For many, a great option is to own their own home. If you are going to buy a property in this part of the country, you will enjoy the amenities that come with it. When choosing a home, you also need to pick a quality insurance plan. You should get home insurance for a few reasons.

Coverage Will Protect Your Assets

Those that are in this area of Wisconsin will want to have this protection to insure against risks that could lead to a loss of their assets. If you have the right home insurance, you are going to get the support needed to offset the risk of damage or theft of your important assets. 

Coverage Provides Liability Support

You should always recognize that you are at risk of liability. When you have a home insurance plan, it is going to give you the support you need to help mitigate this risk. This form of insurance can provide you with liability protection for accidents that you could be found liable for, including those in and outside your home. 

People that are going to buy a home in the Milwaukee, WI area need to make sure that they get quality insurance. If you are looking for a new insurance plan here, calling Dern & Company is a great way to start. If you do speak with Dern & Company, you can learn a lot about your various insurance options and will be able to build an ideal plan that meets your needs. 

Milwaukee WI is one of the oldest cities in the U.S. With its rich history, well-known landmarks, and industrial growth history, it stands as a symbol of what Americans can do if they keep their eyes on a goal. 

The real estate market is also alive and well in Milwaukee and new investors are often building in Milwaukee, to ensure the growth of the future residential and business areas. Rental properties are most on the rise right now.

Protect Your Investment

If you own property or even just your own home, you need to protect it. Finding home insurance at the right cost is important. Dern & Company is a seasoned insurance firm that has Milwaukee residents in mind. 

Tips & Tricks

We offer you these tips and trick when searching for home insurance in the Milwaukee area:

• Don’t settle for the minimums only. Look for other coverage areas you might need to fully protect your investment.
• Purchase insurance from a proven leader in insurance who knows the Milwaukee area. They can help you get the most appropriate coverage for what you need.
• Shop around. Compare different companies and policies to make sure you’re getting the most comprehensive plan available. 
• Consider carrying flood insurance. You never know when a flood could strike. Housing insurance alone may not cover all of your needs. 

Dern & Company insurance knows the Milwaukee WI area and we are happy to help you find the most complete policy for your housing insurance needs. They are available to help you when you need your questions answered.

Contact them online anytime or call Dern & Company to find out more about what we can do for you and your family. We can offer sound advice and clear up any questions you have. The time is now. 

The Milwaukee, WI area can be a great place to buy a home. Those that live in this area of Wisconsin will enjoy all the great amenities that are available in the area including a good local job market and plenty of activities to enjoy all over the city’s area. Along with purchasing your home, you should also get an insurance plan for it. There are a few reasons why you should get this coverage here.

Coverage Protects Your Assets

The primary reason that getting a home insurance plan when you are in the Milwaukee area is to ensure that you can protect your assets. Buying a home is a very major purchase that you will want to protect as well as you can. If you get a proper home insurance plan, you are going to get the coverage needed to repair or replace your home if it is damaged following a situation that results in a loss.

Coverage is Required

You should also get coverage for your home because it will likely be required for you to have it. Those that would like to buy a home here may finance their purchase with a mortgage. If you do, it is important to follow the lender’s insurance requirements that typically expect you to have full coverage. 

If you would like to get a home insurance plan in the Milwaukee, WI area, it would be smart to call the team with Dern & Company. There are a lot of important decisions that need to be made as you are looking for this coverage. The team with Dern & Company can help you decide what type and level of coverage is right for your situation. This can help you pick a plan that protects your home and keeps you in full compliance.