Home remodels, upgrades, expansions, landscaping, installing a swimming pool, or adding a fire pit for backyard barbecues are all exciting ways to enhance your home and enjoy it even more.

Before starting a project like this, it’s wise to consult with your agent at Roberts Family Insurance in Friendswood, TX, for help with coverage during the project and guidance on updating your home’s value once it’s complete. Here are a few tips to follow.

Save Your Receipts

In any remodeling or construction project, expenses add up quickly, and even small purchases can add up to a significant total by the end. Saving receipts for every expense helps establish the full value of the project once it’s finished.

Check the Insurance for All Contractors and Subcontractors

Don’t allow work to begin until you’ve done your due diligence on the companies and workers you plan to hire. Confirm that your contractor, along with any subcontractors, is licensed and in good standing, bonded, and properly insured.

Follow Current Building Codes

Make sure your contractor follows current building codes and secures the proper permits. Work completed without permits or outside of code may not be insurable through your home insurance company. In some cases, you may also need to bring older parts of your home up to current code to obtain permit approval for the new project.

Staging Your Insurance Coverage Increases

Work with your insurance agent to stage coverage increases in step with the project’s progress. If you carry replacement cost coverage, be sure to include any building materials delivered to the site for future use on the project as well.

Reach out to us at Roberts Family Insurance in Friendswood, TX. We can help with all your home insurance needs.

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Insuring an older home can come with a unique set of challenges, and your policy may even be at risk of cancellation if it doesn’t meet an insurer’s requirements.

Common trouble spots include outdated electrical wiring, aging plumbing, older furnaces, boilers, or HVAC systems, a worn roof, foundation cracks, and construction that no longer complies with current building codes.

What Can Happen at Renewal

Some homeowners are surprised to receive a notice at renewal time requiring major repairs, such as a full roof replacement, in order to keep their policy active.

If this sounds familiar, or if you’re concerned it might become an issue, reach out to your agent at Roberts Family Insurance in Friendswood, TX, for guidance.

Practical Tips for Insuring an Older Home

Start with a detailed inspection from a qualified, licensed professional, and use it as a roadmap for prioritizing repairs. Pay close attention to major systems: electrical, plumbing, foundation, roofing, and heating/cooling equipment.

Look for insurers that specialize in older homes. Even then, many will still require documentation confirming that major systems are in good condition, and you may need to accept a higher deductible in exchange for coverage.

Keep thorough records of any repairs, including receipts, inspection reports, and permits, and provide copies to your insurer when needed.

One important note: renovation work typically requires a building permit, and addressing one issue may trigger requirements to bring other parts of the home up to current code.

In some cases, rather than requiring a full roof replacement, insurers may offer coverage with claim limitations based on your roof’s age and condition. Ask your agent how your specific insurer handles roofing claims before assuming a full replacement is your only option.

Reach out to us at Roberts Family Insurance in Friendswood, TX, for all your home insurance needs.

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Adding new structures or features to a property can change how a home is evaluated from an insurance perspective. Local building codes and permitting requirements in Friendswood, TX align with broader Texas regulations that emphasize safety, wind resistance, and proper construction standards, given Gulf Coast weather conditions.

At Roberts Family Insurance, we often remind homeowners that any significant change to their property should be reviewed in relation to their home insurance coverage and overall risk exposure. Even minor additions can affect a property’s insurance because they may change both the structure and how the property is used.

Pools and Liability Considerations

Swimming pools are common features in Texas homes, but they also introduce additional safety and liability considerations. Guidance from the Texas Department of Insurance highlights the importance of understanding how certain property features may increase risk exposure and influence insurance coverage decisions.

Homeowners should understand how new additions, such as swimming pools, fit into their overall insurance planning. In Texas, outdoor living spaces are popular, but they require ongoing maintenance and responsible use as part of a comprehensive home insurance strategy.

Sheds and Other Structural Additions

Smaller additions, such as sheds, detached garages, or workshops, can also affect a property’s insurance. These structures may influence coverage considerations under a home insurance policy in Texas, depending on their size, location, and use.

It is important not to overlook how auxiliary structures contribute to overall property value and risk assessment. Maintaining clear documentation and awareness of local permitting guidelines can support more effective long-term insurance planning.

At Roberts Family Insurance, we encourage homeowners in Friendswood, TX to stay proactive when making changes to their property. If you have questions about how a pool, shed, or other addition may affect your home insurance coverage, contact our office today for guidance.

Trees can fall for many reasons, including severe weather, disease, or age. When a tree falls, it can cause serious damage to your home or other structures and lead to costly cleanup. If you are dealing with a fallen tree and are unsure whether your homeowners’ insurance will cover the damage, it is a good idea to contact your insurance agent for guidance.

At Roberts Family Insurance, we help homeowners secure the right type and amount of home insurance in Friendswood, TX, to protect against costly and unexpected risks.

Does Home Insurance Cover Fallen Tree Damage?

Homeowners’ insurance may cover damage from a fallen tree, but coverage depends on the cause of the loss. In most cases, insurance protects against damage caused by covered perils, such as wind, lightning, or storms. If a covered peril causes a tree to fall and damage your home, garage, fence, or another insured structure listed on your policy, repairs are typically covered.

Many policies also include coverage for debris removal, up to a specified limit, to help with the cost of clearing the fallen tree from your property.

If a neighbor’s tree falls onto your home, your own insurance policy usually covers the damage and cleanup. After paying the claim, your insurance company may pursue reimbursement from your neighbor’s insurance if negligence is involved.

The cause of the tree’s fall is critical. If a tree falls due to neglect, disease, or rot that was known or should have been addressed, your insurance policy may not provide coverage. These situations can result in significant out-of-pocket expenses.

Choose Coverage You Can Rely On

The team at Roberts Family Insurance can help you understand what your current policy covers and identify any gaps. We offer home insurance in Friendswood, TX, with a variety of coverage options to fit your needs. Contact us today for a quote or to review your homeowners’ insurance coverage.

A comprehensive homeowners insurance policy can help cover many natural disasters Texans face, including wind damage, fire, and more. Many first-time homebuyers wonder whether home insurance is legally required in the same way auto insurance is. Understanding state laws and lender requirements is key to protecting your property in Friendswood, TX.

State Laws

Homeowners in Friendswood, TX, are not legally required to carry home insurance. You will not face legal penalties, such as fines, for going without coverage.

Lender Requirements

While the state does not mandate coverage, most mortgage lenders do. Your lender will typically require you to maintain a homeowner’s insurance policy to protect their financial interest in the property until the loan is paid off.

Some lenders also require additional coverage if your standard policy excludes certain natural disasters, such as floods or storm surges. It is a good idea to speak with an agent at Roberts Family Insurance to ensure your policy meets all lender requirements.

Financial Protection

Even without a legal mandate, homeowners’ insurance is essential for protecting your finances. When Hurricane Harvey struck in 2017, more than 2,000 homes were damaged. Homeowners without insurance were forced to pay for repairs out of pocket. Disasters and emergencies, such as fires, can happen without warning, so having proper protection in place is critical.

Coverage To Ask About

Before purchasing a policy, always ask which natural disasters are excluded. Some policies exclude flood damage, and you do not want to discover this only after a surge from Galveston Bay affects your home.

You should also ask whether detached structures, such as sheds or garages, are included in your policy. Additional coverage may be required to protect these buildings.

The team at Roberts Family Insurance can help you find a policy that fits your needs. Contact us today to get started. We proudly serve homeowners in the Friendswood, TX, area.