What Questions Should First-Time Homeowners Ask When Buying Homeowners’ Insurance?

Posted on May 30, 2025May 28, 2025 by admin

For homeowners in Scotia, NY, who have never purchased homeowners’ insurance, understanding what questions to ask when researching can be quite confusing. Discussing your policy options with our agents at Rowledge & Falvo Insurance Agency will help clear up any confusion.

What To Ask About Homeowners’ Insurance

Navigating through all that buying a homeowners’ insurance policy offers comes with a lot of questions that help narrow down what type of coverage is needed for your new home. You’ll want to determine the type of policy you need.

What are the policy’s coverage limits?

Due to the home’s location, does the policy cover events that damage the home, such as inclement weather, which includes hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes, which require a separate policy and/or additional coverage?

Is flood insurance required?

Is water damage due to a broken pipe, broken water heater, sewer backup, or faulty sump pump included?

Are any discounts available, such as the installation of a security system, smoke detectors, or storm shutters?

Can you bundle homeowners and auto insurance to lessen the cost of the premium?

On your property, are there any features that could be considered a liability? This includes swimming pools (above or below ground), a trampoline, a swing set, for example.

Should you also include umbrella insurance coverage in case of a situation that could exceed your policy’s limits?

Does the homeowners’ policy insure your home for its replacement cost or for its current value?

Contact Rowledge & Falvo Insurance Agency

Scotia residents who have bought their first home can rely on us at Rowledge & Falvo Insurance Agency to guide them through these questions, and more, so they can enjoy peace of mind knowing they have the answers and the policy they need.

Are there any unique home insurance options I should consider?

Posted on December 31, 2024January 5, 2025 by admin

If you are in the Scotia, NY area, you will want to ensure you are always adequately insured. This means having a quality home insurance plan for anyone who owns property here. When you are looking to build a home insurance plan, there are different options to consider. There are various unique options, in particular, that you can consider that will help secure and insure your property.

Water Backup Coverage

Water backup is a risk that all people need to think about. If your sewer line, main line, or water line ever gets backed up, it could cause a lot of damage. Unfortunately, this might not be covered by your main insurance plan. You will get the coverage needed to address this risk with a water backup provision.

Ordinance or Law Coverage

If you ever need to make a repair after damage, you may find that local zoning and ordinance laws have changed, and the repair costs have gone up dramatically. An ordinance or local law coverage plan will help protect you from higher costs.

Equipment Breakdown

A basic insurance plan might not cover major equipment in your home. However, if you have mechanical equipment coverage, you could get additional support if equipment or appliances need repairs or full replacements.

In the Scotia, NY area, it is always a good idea to insure your home. One of the ways that you can do this is by speaking with someone that you can trust. When you call our Rowledge & Falvo Insurance Agency team, you will get any guidance needed to create a new plan. Our support with the Rowledge & Falvo Insurance Agency will help ensure you know the different options and build the best policy possible.

Home insurance endorsements to personalize your policy

Posted on July 31, 2024July 31, 2024 by admin

A traditional home insurance policy generally includes some basic coverage that all home policies have. You determine the amount of coverage for different aspects of your home. You can choose the type of content coverage you have and the liability coverage your policy provides. At Rowledge & Falvo Insurance Agency in Scotia, NY, we personalize your policy to meet your needs and ensure you understand which carriers provide the coverage you need.

Guarantee Replacement Cost

Though one of the more expensive endorsements, this is also one of the most valuable. Given the unpredictability of building costs, your basic home coverage may not suffice to replace or repair your home to its pre-peril condition and quality. This coverage guarantees that you will have your home completely replaced.

Identity Theft Coverage

Having your identity stolen is a nightmare. While this coverage won’t restore any cash stolen from your bank account, it can assist with fraud protection and help restore your name and credit. Additional options can be added to this coverage; consult your agent about what is available from your carrier.

Scheduled Personal Property Coverage

Some categories of personal property have limits under a traditional home policy. This includes items like electronics, jewelry, and art. The limits are relatively low and might leave you with insufficient coverage. With this endorsement, you can increase a category to the level you require. If you need more coverage for more than one specific item, such as several fine pieces of jewelry, you will need to increase this coverage.

In Scotia, NY, Rowledge & Falvo Insurance Agency provides all the necessary insurance information and assistance. Contact our office today to discuss your home insurance requirements.

How to Check Home Insurance Rates Before a Purchase

Posted on February 28, 2024February 27, 2024 by admin

When buying a house, figuring out the home insurance rates beforehand is smart. Knowing these things in advance will help you to control long-term expenses down the road. It may even allow you to avoid buying something that could make you unhappy due to sky-high costs. Rowledge & Falvo Insurance Agency serving Scotia, NY, knows it might seem a bit tricky at first, but here’s a straightforward way to go about it.

Step by Step

Start by going online. There are plenty of websites where you can enter some basic info about the house you’re interested in, like its location and size, and they’ll estimate the insurance costs. Keep in mind, though, that these are just estimates, and the real rates can be different.

Next up, reach out to an insurance agent such as Rowledge & Falvo Insurance Agency serving Scotia, NY. Talking to a professional can give you a clearer picture. They can look into the specifics of the house and offer you a more accurate quote based on the house’s condition, features, and any safety devices installed.

It’s also a good idea to check rates from different companies. Insurance costs vary greatly from provider to provider, so getting a few quotes can help you find the best deal.

Lastly, consider the house’s location and how it affects insurance rates. Areas prone to natural disasters like floods or earthquakes might have higher insurance costs. Knowing this can help you budget better for your new home.

So, while checking home insurance rates before buying might seem daunting, it’s doable with some research and help from professionals like Rowledge & Falvo Insurance Agency serving Scotia, NY. Contact us today to get started!

Top 3 Ways To Stop Intruders

Posted on September 15, 2023September 20, 2023 by admin

There are so many responsibilities that come along with home ownership, and protecting your home from intruders is definitely top of the priority list. Here at Rowledge & Falvo Insurance Agency, serving Scotia, NY and the surrounding areas, we want to help homeowners make smart choices.

Here are the top 3 ways to stop home intruders:

Home Security Systems

Home security systems have proven an effective way to stop intruders. In a lot of cases, just having signs posted on your property advertising that the home is protected by a certain security company is enough to discourage intruders from even considering your home.

Home security systems are advanced enough today to have you connected with first responders and law enforcement in real time when the system is triggered. This is a proven way to stop intruders and to get emergency help during other types of emergencies as well.

Updated Windows, Doors, and Locks

Another important step you can take to discourage intruders is to make sure your windows, doors, and locks are updated. Older doors, windows, and locks are easy to access, and intruders know this. Modern home updates of this type will have enhanced security, are stronger, and are more difficult to access.

Good Security Practices

The other important way to protect your home is by practicing good security behaviors at home. This includes locking up at night and when you leave the house. It can also include keeping your property well-lit. You also need to be selective about who has access to keys, lock codes, and other means of accessing your home.

Consult With Us

If you would like to learn about home insurance, please contact us at Rowledge & Falvo Insurance Agency serving Scotia, NY and the surrounding areas. We will be happy to help you.

My wife and I have been with Falvo agency for over 30 years and could not be more satisfied with the help we received after not only being a few auto accident’s but also a house fire and the collapse of our pool. For each case Frank Falvo , Patty and the rest of his team were so fast and efficient to help resolve these issues. This is a highly recommended insurance agency for anyone looking.

Joe Miller

I've been with Falvo and now Rowledge for over 25 years. So many companies have tried to convince me to switch. I just can't do it NOT even for a lower rate. They are simply the BEST!!!! The have been so GOOD to me over those 25 years, and they are truly appreciated.

Joseph Skinner

I am 27 years old, and just about to move to New York. This is my first time looking for my own insurance policy. Sharon Piazza was truly incredible. She was so nice and helped me every step of the way. She responded very quickly and I had no issues. She definitely got me the best rate available and I’m very happy with what I have. I highly recommend.

Mikey Medina

My husband and I have used Rowledge and Falvo for all our insurance needs and I recommend them without reservation. Sharon has been incredibly considerate and responsive, and she has taken the time to explain policies and find us the best options. She goes out of her way to help make things easier for us and she is always patient and informed. We just transitioned from renting to buying our first home and Sharon walked us through the entire process with her calm and encouraging presence. We are grateful and couldn't recommend Sharon and her team more highly!

Josey Brady

My wife and I utilize Rowledge & Falvo for both our auto and homeowners insurance. Ben and the rest of the team consistently go above and beyond what I would ever expect out of any insurance agency. This includes proactively finding us the best rates, working hand in hand with us throughout the stressful home buying process, and consistently working after hours when we have questions. Ben was an incredibly calming and reassuring presence when we bought our first home, and he even managed to find a number of mistakes that our mortgage company was making that ended up saving us a significant amount of money. Even though we are likely small clients for them, Ben and the rest of his fantastic team routinely makes us feel like we are the company's top priority.

Eric DeWitt

I would highly recommend the Rowledge & Falvo Agency to anyone looking for a quality insurance agency. Ben, Bruce and their staff are conscientious, courteous and professional at all times. We recently had a large claim when our vehicle was badly damaged by a falling tree. Ben immediately took charge and had the insurance adjuster reviewing the claim the same day. All went smoothly and our vehicle was restored to like new condition with zero issues. No doubt it was the Rowledge & Falvo Agency that made an unfortunate situation bearable. Thank you to Ben and staff for all that you do for your clients. Best of luck!

John Falvo

I have been using Rowledge for business and personal insurance (home, car, etc) for years now & would not even consider switching to anybody else regardless of cost. Their responsiveness & professionalism to multiple issues has proved invaluable to me personally. Their actions show how they truly care about their clients which is a rarity in these times. Highly recommended in my book.

Newest Lunch

I have had my car and home insurance through the Rowledge & Falvo Agency for the past six years and I could not be more pleased with the quality of service they provide. Aside from the excellent rates, which were lower than I was paying previously at a large insurer for the same coverage, the personal level of service is unparalleled. After recently experiencing a significant amount of home water damage, I cannot express how helpful this agency was guiding me through the entire claims process. From recommending a restoration company, to explaining in detail the necessary steps I needed to follow; to offering advice and even brokering conversations with claims agents, this agency did it all. Some of it even well outside normal business hours. We cannot thank them enough and highly recommend them to anyone needing insurance!

Daniel DeWitt

Ben has helped me with quality advice on both my car and homeowner's insurance plans and selected coverage that gets me the best value and service to meet my specific needs. They are very thorough, and are regularly checking up on my needs and often present me with newly available options to improve my service level while potentially lowering my out of pocket expenses.

When a pipe in my house sprung a leak, I was on the phone with them (over the weekend), and they walked me through every step from damage control, to getting an adjuster, to sending out an adjuster to assess, and lastly having the right professionals do the restoration.

Highly recommend!

Tom Durocher

We have been a clients of Rowledge Agency for about 10 years. They have always gone above and beyond to take care of inquiries or "issues" that may arise, no matter how big or small they might be. The staff is extremely helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. I highly recommend them for your insurance needs.

Sharon Sitts

Rowledge & Falvo Insurance Agency

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Category: Home Insurance