Owning a luxury property comes with its own set of unique risks and challenges. As a high net worth homeowner, you have invested in a property requiring specialized coverage to protect your assets. Unfortunately, standard homeowners insurance policies may not offer sufficient coverage for high-value homes and personal belongings. It is where high net worth homeowners insurance comes in.
This article explores the benefits of high net worth homeowners insurance for luxury properties. From higher coverage limits to additional policy perks, high net worth homeowners insurance offers essential coverage and additional benefits that are fit for royalty. Read on to discover the key benefits of high net worth homeowners insurance for luxury properties.
1. Increased Coverage Limits
Standard homeowners insurance policies typically offer coverage limits that may not be sufficient to fully protect high-value homes and personal belongings. In contrast, high net worth homeowners insurance policies provide higher coverage limits to ensure your luxury property is adequately protected.
According to Bankrate, on average, high net worth homeowners insurance policies in the United States cost $3,414 annually for $750,000 in dwelling coverage or roughly $285 per month. In contrast, the average annual premium for a standard homeowners insurance policy offering $250,000 in dwelling coverage is $1,383, equivalent to approximately $115 per month.
It’s important to note that high net worth homeowners insurance policies often provide specialized coverage and higher limits than standard policies, contributing to higher costs.
Luxury properties often have unique features and high-end finishes that can significantly increase their value. However, the cost of repairing or rebuilding your luxury property can be substantial in the event of a covered loss. High-worth homeowners insurance policies offer higher coverage limits that can fully cover the cost of repairs or rebuilding.
Moreover, high net worth homeowners insurance policies often provide blanket coverage for personal belongings. It means that your personal property, such as jewelry, artwork, and collectibles, are covered up to a certain limit, regardless of where they are located within your property.Â
It is particularly important for high net worth homeowners who own multiple properties or frequently travel with expensive personal belongings.
2. Specialized Coverage
These policies are designed to address the unique risks and challenges that high-value homes face. For example, many high net worth homeowners insurance policies cover additional property structures, such as guesthouses, pools, and tennis courts. They may also offer coverage for landscaping, which can be expensive to repair or replace in the event of a natural disaster.
Moreover, high net worth homeowners insurance policies often provide specialized coverage for personal belongings, such as fine art, jewelry, and antiques. They may offer broader coverage for these items than standard homeowners insurance policies, including coverage for mysterious disappearance or breakage.
Finally, high net worth homeowners insurance policies can cover liability risks unique to luxury properties. For example, they may offer coverage for liability arising from domestic staff, such as butlers, housekeepers, and gardeners, who may be injured while working on the property.
3. Agreed Value Coverage
With agreed value coverage, you can be confident that you will receive the full value that you and your insurer have previously agreed upon for your property without any depreciation or deduction for wear and tear.
Standard homeowners insurance policies typically offer actual cash value coverage, which considers depreciation and the current market value of your property at the time of loss. It can result in lower payouts, which may not be sufficient to fully repair or replace your luxury property.
Agreed value coverage, on the other hand, provides greater certainty and predictability in the event of a loss. You and your insurance company will agree on the value of your property upfront, which will be the amount you are paid in the event of a covered loss, regardless of any depreciation.
Agreed value coverage is particularly important for luxury properties with unique features or high-end finishes that can significantly increase their value. It can also be useful for personal belongings, such as fine art or antique collections, that may be appreciated over time.
4. Better Claims Handling
Insurance companies specializing in high net worth insurance understand luxury property owners’ unique needs and expectations and are equipped to handle claims with the highest level of service and care.
For example, many high net worth homeowners insurance policies provide access to a dedicated claims concierge or personal insurance advisor, who will work with you throughout the claims process to ensure a smooth and efficient experience. They can help you navigate the claims process, guide repairs and replacements, and answer any questions or concerns.
5. Discretionary Coverage Options
These options can provide additional protection and customization for luxury properties and their owners. One example of a discretionary coverage option is coverage for fine art, jewelry, and other valuable collections. High-worth homeowners insurance policies can provide higher coverage limits for these items. They can even offer coverage for items not covered under standard homeowners insurance policies.
Another discretionary coverage option is coverage for identity theft and cybercrime. High net worth homeowners are often at a higher risk of these types of crimes, and insurance companies specializing in high net worth insurance understand the need for additional protection. These policies can cover expenses related to identity theft, such as legal fees and credit monitoring, and coverage for losses due to cybercrime.
In addition to these options, high net worth homeowners insurance policies can cover various other discretionary items, such as wine collections, antique furniture, and even private jets or yachts. Again, you can customize these options to fit each homeowner’s needs and priorities.
According to the Zebra, premium home insurance companies provide coverage types not typically available with standard home insurance policies. In addition, these companies understand that their clients have unique coverage needs and, thus, offer specialized coverage options and additional perks that are not commonly found elsewhere.
These may include coverage for additional living expenses, employment practices liability, partial loss, no-cost home inspections, sewer and pipe backup coverage, and identity theft coverage. Premium home insurance companies provide these special coverages and perks dedicated to meeting their clients’ exclusive needs and requirements.
6. Additional Policy Perks
High net worth homeowners insurance policies often come with additional perks that can be attractive to luxury property owners.
One such perk is access to risk management services. High net worth homeowners insurance providers understand that their clients may have unique risks and vulnerabilities requiring specialized attention. As a result, these providers may offer access to a team of risk management professionals who can help identify potential risks and provide guidance on mitigating them.
Another common perk is access to concierge services. Many high net worth homeowners insurance policies include access to a 24/7 concierge service, which can assist with a wide range of needs, such as making travel arrangements, booking restaurant reservations, and arranging home repairs or maintenance.
Additionally, high net worth homeowners insurance policies may provide coverage for incidental business use. It can be important for homeowners who run a business from home or have a home office.
The U.S. Small Business Association has reported that half of all small businesses in the country begin at home and that 60% of businesses without staff are operated from home. Given that there are approximately 32.5 million small businesses in the U.S., it can be estimated that around 19 million of them are home-based.
Coverage to such home-based businesses may include protection for business equipment, liability related to business activities, and other related risks.
Conclusion
To sum up, high net worth homeowners’ insurance is an ideal coverage option for affluent individuals who own luxury properties. It offers several advantages, such as increased coverage limits, specialized coverage, better claims handling, and additional policy perks tailored to meet high-net-worth homeowners’ unique needs and requirements.
By choosing high net worth homeowners’ insurance, homeowners can enjoy complete protection and a lavish lifestyle with confidence and peace of mind.
