How Home Insurance Works During Home Renovation

Posted on November 28, 2025November 13, 2025 by admin

Renovating your home can be exciting, but it also changes your insurance risks in ways many homeowners don’t realize. Whether you’re remodeling a kitchen or adding an entire wing, your standard home insurance might not automatically cover everything that happens during the process. Understanding how coverage shifts during renovation helps prevent costly gaps if something goes wrong. For details, contact your insurance representative at August Vincent Insurance Agency, serving Crystal Lake, IL. In the meantime, here’s what you should know.

Coverage Before Construction Begins

Before work starts, contact your insurer to explain the scope and cost of your project. Most home policies protect against fire, theft, and certain kinds of accidental damage, but those rules can change once construction begins. If contractors are involved, their liability coverage should also be verified. This ensures their insurance pays for injuries or damage they cause, not yours.

When You Need Extra Protection

Major renovations often require temporary policy adjustments or endorsements. A builder’s risk policy, for example, covers the structure and materials during construction, including losses from fire, vandalism, or weather damage. If you’re adding square footage, you may also need to increase your dwelling coverage so your home’s full replacement value reflects the new improvements.

During renovation, your personal belongings might be at greater risk too. Tools, appliances, or new fixtures stored on-site could be stolen or damaged. Reviewing your personal property limits and adding short-term coverage can help safeguard those items.

After the Work Is Done

Once renovations are complete, notify your insurer again so they can update your home’s value and coverage details. Ignoring that step can leave new upgrades underinsured.

Renovation brings progress but it also brings risk. Taking time to review your coverage before, during, and after a home renovation project ensures that your investment stays protected from the first nail to the final coat of paint. Contact your insurance representative at August Vincent Insurance Agency, serving Crystal Lake, IL to learn more!

Can You Add ATVs to An Auto Insurance Policy?

Posted on October 31, 2025October 21, 2025 by admin

There’s nothing like spending the day enjoying your four-wheeler or riding with your friends. You can make so many upgrades that all-terrain vehicles never get boring. Most people want to make sure their ATVs are properly insured, but it’s important to get the right policy. One of our agents at August Vincent Insurance Agency, serving Crystal Lake, IL, can help.

Will Your Auto Insurance Policy Cover Your ATV?

While cars and ATVs are four-wheeled vehicles, they usually don’t qualify for the same insurance policy. Standard car insurance policies will not cover an ATV. These policies, and their coverage limits, are designed for cars and trucks, such as your daily vehicle. Many companies will not cover ATVs, but may let you bundle an ATV and auto policy.

Insurance Poliies for ATVs

That doesn’t mean you’re out of luck when it comes to getting a policy for your ATV. A separate ATV policy can cover liability, bodily injury, theft, damage from natural disasters, and other related risks. Speak with a professional at August Vincent Insurance Agency to learn more about specialized policies.

Will Your Home Insurance Cover Your ATV?

Your homeowner’s policy may provide limited coverage. These policies can cover damage for covered perils, such as wind damage or theft. On the other hand, they do have stricter coverage limits for things like ATVs, and may not provide the coverage you need to replace yours if it’s damaged. Home insurance policies also typically do not cover liability or bodily injury.

We know that you love spending the day with your ATVs, and how devastating it would be if something were to happen to it. An insurance agent at August Vincent Insurance Agency can help you learn more about your options. Contact us. We’re currently serving the Crystal Lake, IL, area.

Creating and Maintaining an Effective Home Inventory

Posted on March 28, 2025March 24, 2025 by admin

An effective inventory is a tremendous benefit for those suffering a fire or other significant loss. Creating and maintaining a home inventory involves planning and execution. The planning component involves deciding how to build the initial inventory. The execution consists of updating your inventory monthly or quarterly. If you need home or other insurance, consider the August Vincent Insurance Agency, serving Crystal Lake, IL.

Creating Your Home Inventory

Those who suffer a loss and have a current home inventory receive faster, more accurate settlements. Having detailed documentation of losses that occurred eliminates guesswork and helps the insurer determine the value of your loss, allowing you to recover its full value.

The best way to create a home inventory is to use a spreadsheet or app that allows you to upload receipts and take photos and videos. Whichever tool you prefer, you should store the information in the cloud or in a location other than your home so your inventory remains safe from damage.

The key steps in creating and managing your inventory include the following:

Create a Plan

Organize your inventory room-by-room or another method. A room-by-room inventory makes video recording easy, and your valuables are often organized by room anyway.

Big-Ticket Items First

Inventory more expensive items first and group lower-value items, such as "four pairs of running shoes."

Regular Updates

On an ongoing basis, immediately inventory purchases over a specific dollar amount and update your video and inventory annually.

The August Vincent Insurance Agency Difference

Maintaining a home inventory takes discipline but is highly valuable if you suffer a loss. The August Vincent Insurance Agency, serving Crystal Lake, IL, will help you develop your insurance plan, so call (847) 217-2184 or stop by to make an appointment.