Common Questions About Westlock Home Insurance — Plus the Answers You Need
Westlock, Alberta, is a town of about 5,000 people located one hour north of Edmonton. Roughly half of the approximately 2,300 private homes are single-family residences, giving it a warm community feel. With peaceful surroundings and a comfortable distance from big-city life, this small town can seem like a place where nothing bad ever happens. In reality, getting trustworthy Westlock home insurance is essential for your family.
Why Do You Need Westlock Home Insurance?
Despite its small size, the town of Westlock has a surprising amount of crime. In just three months (January to March 2022), there were 15 break-ins, 25 cases of theft and 11 stolen vehicles. Over the entire year of 2021, thieves broke into nearly 50 homes and businesses. There were over 100 cases of theft involving more or less than $5,000.
Even worse, theft numbers appear to be increasing. Breaking and entering statistics nearly doubled in 2022 compared to the same period in 2021. Your family may not be able to completely avoid crime, but you can protect the value of your assets with home insurance.
What Other Risks Affect Homes in Westlock?
Local homes also have to deal with Alberta’s intense winter weather. Excessive snowfall, hail, icy temperatures, thunderstorms and high-speed winds can all damage houses. Roofing, siding and structural components can experience problems. Home insurance can provide the compensation needed for repairs or replacement.
Other risks include things that are practically impossible to predict, such as fires and lightning strikes. The damage fires can cause to your home is immense. The only way to truly prepare is to make sure you have sufficient coverage.
What Type of Damage Does Home Insurance Cover?
At HUB International, we customize the specifics of coverage to your family’s needs and circumstances. Many types of home damage are commonly part of homeowners' insurance, such as:
- Theft
- Vandalism
- Wind damage and hail
- Fire and smoke damage
- Lightning strikes
- Vehicle impacts
What Problems Are Not Part of Home Insurance Coverage?
Traditional home insurance plans don’t provide coverage for natural disasters such as flooding or earthquakes. To protect your home from inundations (either from pipe leaks or weather-related flooding), you need to purchase custom flood insurance. Our team can help you evaluate your needs and choose the right level of coverage for your home and family.
How Can You Choose the Right Westlock Home Insurance?
Homeowners' insurance generally falls into four different categories: structure coverage, liability protection, personal belongings coverage and insurance for additional living expenses. What makes each option important?
Structure Coverage
This quintessential insurance option covers your home and attached structures, such as garages and covered decks. It can help you repair the damage from break-ins, severe weather, fires and similar problems.
Liability Protection
Families who have children can benefit significantly from liability coverage, and so can people who entertain guests frequently. This option helps with compensation in the case of lawsuits against you for injuries on your property.
Personal Belongings Coverage
This type of coverage focuses on the value of personal belongings in your home, ranging from electronics to furniture. If someone breaks in and steals your new TV, for example, you can receive compensation to help you replace it. The same goes for items destroyed in a house fire.
Insurance for Additional Living Expenses
During home repairs or remodelling, your family may need to spend several nights or weeks in a hotel. Coverage for additional living expenses can reimburse you in this situation.