Auto - Homeowners - Business Insurance for
Lutherville, Timonium & Cockeysville, Maryland

Your home is your castle and the place where you need to feel safe from nature’s perils; but disaster can strike just when we least expect it.  We here at the William M. Sparks Insurance Agency in Timonium, Maryland (Baltimore County), have been helping homeowners like yourself protect their home and possessions for many years. If your home is located in Maryland (MD), Virginia (VA), or Pennsylvania (PA), we can help you, too. 

Homeowners insurance is your protection against loss resulting from home-related damage or disaster.

These home insurance policies are generally standard throughout the U.S., and the terms and coverages vary depending upon the scope of protection and the type of home being insured.

Homeowner Coverages

Typically, when you purchase home owner insurance, it will include four types of essential coverages:

• Liability insurance protection covers you against lawsuits or claims from others for bodily injury or damage to property caused by your negligence or that of your covered family member or household pet.
• Personal property insurance protection pays for your losses up to the limits of your policy when your personal belongings are stolen or destroyed by various covered disasters anywhere in the world.
• Structural insurance protection covers partial or full cost to repair/rebuild your house damaged by various covered disasters, and it often can include other detached structures on your property like garages and storage sheds.
• Additional living expenses are paid up to the limits of your policy  during the repair/rebuild process if you must live away from an uninhabitable home damaged by a covered disaster. If part of your home is rented out and you lose rental revenue because damage renders it uninhabitable, this coverage reimburses for lost rent.

Whether you are relocating to MD, VA, or PA or perhaps already live in the area, why not review your homeowner policy needs with one of our experienced representatives who knows the guidelines for your state and who can discuss the many options and discounts available?  Contact us today or request a homeowners insurance quote.  We look forward to speaking with you.

The scope of your insurance coverage and options depend entirely upon the policy and the insurance company providing it.  This website is not intended to advise, offer or bind coverage.  You should always discuss your insurance issues with professionals such as a licensed and qualified insurance agent like those at the William M. Sparks Insurance Agency before making any decisions or choosing a course of action.

Although you might not live near water, flooding can still cause significant – even devastating – damage to your home and property.  Protection for flood damage is purchased separately from your standard homeowner  or condominium insurance policy.  Here at the William M. Sparks Insurance Agency in Timonium, Maryland, we know the guidelines and we can help you build the right flood insurance policy for your situation whether you are a resident of Maryland (MD), Virginia (VA) or Pennsylvania (PA).

Should Everyone Have Flood Insurance?

Flood insurance will protect you from losses incurred by flood damage to your home and belongings.  It is available to you whether you are a homeowner or a renter.  In fact, if you own a home located in a designated flood zone and you have a mortgage, your bank might require you to carry a flood insurance policy.  Standard homeowners, condo and renters insurance do not cover damage caused by flood or surface waters. 

When and Where Should One Purchase Flood Insurance?

Flood insurance is available through our agency, from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).  Even if you do not live in a designated flood zone, you should consider securing a flood insurance policy if your home and possessions are at risk from overflowing creeks, ponds, etc.  You should plan to purchase your flood insurance policy well before flooding danger exists.  There is at least a 30-day waiting period from the time you purchase the policy to the date it is effective.

What Does Flood Insurance Cover?

Flood insurance covers all types of homes and condos, but there are many limitations.  If your home has been improved with a furnished, finished basement, those improvements are not covered by the NFIP policy.  However, appliances and fixtures typically found in an unfinished basement will usually be covered.  It will also pay for your possessions at a depreciated amount.

Don’t wait until the water starts to rise.  Get the details now.  For more  information about NFIP, visit www.fema.gov, or speak with one of our capable agents, experienced in the options and coverage choices of flood insurance who can help you get the answers you need to create just the right policy for your needs.  Whether you live in MD, VA or PA, just contact us today to discuss how we can help.

The scope of your insurance coverage and options depend entirely upon the policy and the insurance company providing it.  This website is not intended to advise, offer or bind coverage.  You should always discuss your insurance issues with professionals such as a licensed and qualified insurance agent like those here in Timonium, MD at the William M. Sparks Insurance Agency before making any decisions or choosing a course of action. 

When your home is a condominium, no matter the building structure, would you know what questions to ask your condo association before purchasing insurance to cover your investment?  Condo owners' needs vary.  Here at the William M. Sparks Insurance Agency, Inc. in Timonium, Maryland, we can help you understand your options and responsibilities and walk you through making the right choices for your own condo insurance needs whether you are a resident of Maryland (MD), Virginia (VA) or Pennsylvania (PA).

Condominium insurance provides coverage for your personal belongings as well as coverage for structural improvements to your dwelling and additional living expenses if you are forced to temporarily relocate during repair/rebuilding of your unit following a covered disaster.

What is not Covered by your Condo Insurance

Your condo insurance policy will not cover the common areas you share with other condo owners in your building.  These typically include the roof, basement, elevator and walkways. These common areas are usually covered by a “master policy” purchased and owned by the condominium association or board.

What to Insure As a Condominium Owner

To ensure that your condo insurance policy offers adequate coverage, first consult your association’s by-laws or proprietary lease, and speak with condo or insurance specialists.  Sometimes, a condominium association is responsible for the entire condo unit as originally built, but sometimes only for the bare walls, floors and ceiling.  In case of the former, you must only insure alterations to the original structure; but in the latter case, you must insure built-in appliances and casework, wiring, plumbing, kitchen and bath fixtures, etc. 

Additional Coverages for your Condo

Coverages in addition to your condominium insurance policy might include:

• Unit assessment to pay your share of an assessment charged to all unit owners by the association for the repair of loss sustained through damage to the common areas.
• Flood or earthquake insurance since these disasters are not typically covered by your condo policy.
• Water back-up coverage pays for loss caused by sewer or drain back-up.
• Additional coverage for expensive belongings such as furs, collectibles, jewelry, etc.
• Catastrophe Liability (Umbrella) coverage to supplement your standard condo insurance policy.

Our capable agents here at the Sparks Insurance Agency in Timonium, MD, have experience with condominium insurance; and with their help, you can learn about available discounts and coverage choices to create just the right policy for your needs if you reside in MD, VA, PA.  So why not contact us today to discuss how we can help or get a Condo Insurance quote.

The scope of your insurance coverage and options depend entirely upon the policy and the insurance company providing it.  This website is not intended to advise, offer or bind coverage.  You should always discuss your insurance issues with professionals such as a licensed and qualified insurance agent like those at the William M. Sparks Insurance Agency, Inc. before making any decisions or choosing a course of action.