Each cycle of life brings its own considerations when it comes to protecting your assets. If you are considering downsizing, you will want to talk to your insurance broker about what that change will mean to your insurance coverage. Whether you are buying a smaller home or renting, or selling valuables or gifting them to family, this new phase also brings new situations to consider.
Renting vs Buying a Smaller Home
If you are like our typical clients, you are selling a large family home to move into smaller, more manageable space. If you choose to buy one of the new homes popping up in this area, you are most likely spending 85% of the value of the home you sold. So, there is little savings when it comes to homeowner’s insurance. Renting is also an option for many downsizers, and in this situation, significant savings can be found. Renter’s insurance covers the contents of the home only – wall-to-wall, ceiling to floor. Most landlords require renter’s and liability insurance, which will still be less than insuring a large home.
Fun Yet Expensive Toys
The toys you once enjoyed with your kids and friends – wave runners, boats, motorcycles – are now sitting idle in the garage or storage. It may not make sense to keep these items around since they increase your overall liability and therefore your costs. And, if those toys are older, you may end up paying premiums higher than their value. You may want to consider selling rarely used items. You can always rent them for that annual family event.
Jewelry Schedule
Most likely you have a jewelry schedule attached to your homeowner’s insurance that has not been looked at for a long time. Perhaps you have given pieces away and no longer need to insure them. Or, as prices of gems and precious metals have changed, it may be that your special pieces are over- or under-insured. This time of change offers a good opportunity to reevaluate, ensuring you are appropriately covering what you still own.
Antiques, Collections and Other Valuables
Downsizing tends to lead to getting rid of things, some of which may be of value. If you are selling or gifting things like antiques, art pieces, silverware, or place settings, you no longer have to insure them! And, just like jewelry, you may be holding on to an article whose value has changed, leaving you over- or under-insured.
Life Insurance Coverage
The kids are no longer depending upon you, college is paid for, and the balance of your large mortgage has been significantly reduced. Do you still need a $1.5 million term-life policy? It may make sense to reduce that insurance coverage and therefore your premium. That way, you are still leaving wealth behind for your beneficiaries, but saving a bit more for enjoying your life right now.
The downsizing phase of life is a significant moment of change, making it a good time to reevaluate if your insurance dollars are providing accurate coverage. The Wharton & Powers Insurance Team is ready to help. Send us an email or give us a call at 317.663.4138.
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