Fort Collins consistently rates as one of the best places in the country to live and recently a surge in the price of housing makes your home here all the more valuable. Here in Fort Collins your home is still a great way to invest your money. With home owning comes homeowners insurance.

If you are a first-time homeowner, there is a lot to learn and if you have been down this road before you may still need help to navigate the waters of homeowners insurance. We’ve assembled a short list (which we will surely continue in the future) of tips about homeowners insurance.

It’s not optional. Most mortgage companies will not finish a mortgage transaction until proof of insurance is produced. You may be required to pay between two months and a year of premiums up front. While you are paying off the mortgage, the house technically belongs to the back and they want to protect their investment.

What is covered? Depending on your policy, the structure (and usually out buildings) is covered, as well as the contents of the home. Most policies also have liability coverage to cover you in case someone gets injured on your property. Items of great value such as wedding rings need to be added to the policy in what’s called a rider.

What else is covered? The extent to which things like hail damage and flood damage are covered will depend on your policy. This is something to talk to your agent about.