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These days, many Americans might be fairly cognizant of the risks they face when it comes to their home insurance policies, and what they can and cannot claim in the event of a major incident. However, the fact of the matter is that many Americans - perhaps understandably - also don't really have a solid grip on the ins and outs of every aspect of their policies, and may therefore be shocked to find that if they're affected by certain issues, they might not be fully covered. As such, it might be wise for agents to carefully walk consumers through what their plans do and do not cover, so that there are no surprises when they try to file.

One aspect of a homeowners' insurance policy that individuals might not fully understand is how they're covered when something as simple as a tree falling in their yard - and not even hitting anything - takes place, according to a report from the Hartford Sentinel. In many cases, their insurance companies might cover some of the clean-up, such as the removal of the felled tree itself, but not anything related to the stump or debris the incident left behind, which can often cost several thousand dollars more.

The importance of flood coverage
Many consumers, such as those who do not live in flood plains, likely don't have flood insurance, but experts generally advise that adding on this kind of coverage is vital to protecting a home, the report said. Even a little bit of water damage can cost tens of thousands of dollars, and depending upon how it came about, might not be covered on a standard home coverage policy. Agents may therefore have to explain the difference between which incidents would and wouldn't be taken care of, and why.

The better consumers understand their home insurance products, the more likely they are to be comfortable with their coverage, and know when they have to tack on additional plans to protect them for their specific risks. That, in turn, can boost customer satisfaction - even if the annual price tag goes up - and therefore keep customer retention rates for many agents high. Those professionals who can further work to find consumers discounts for which they might be eligible will likely have even more luck in this regard overall.

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