🔍 3 Things Your Home Insurance Company Doesn’t Want You to Know (And What Seth Learned the Hard Way)

So, you just bought your first house—or maybe you’ve been a homeowner for years. Either way, you probably signed up for homeowners insurance thinking, “Cool, I’m covered.” Right?

Well… not so fast. 

Seth thought the same thing—until he learned (the hard way) that there’s a lot more to home insurance than meets the eye. 

Let’s walk through Seth’s journey so you don’t make the same mistakes. If you own a home (or plan to), this is a must-read.

1. 💸 You Can Shop Around for Better Rates (Like Seth Did!)

Meet Seth. Chill guy. Loves his lawn. Pays his bills. He’d been with the same insurance company for years and figured, “Loyalty pays off, right?” 

Then one day, his friend Sarah mentioned she’d switched providers last year and saved hundreds.  She even got better coverage than before. That’s when Seth realized he hadn’t even looked at his policy in years—he just auto-renewed it every cycle.

Seth’s jaw: on the floor.
He’d been overpaying for years without even realizing it.

So, Seth did a little digging. He hopped online, grabbed a few quotes, and found a new policy that offered the same coverage (and a few extras!)—for way less money.  He even got a discount for bundling his auto insurance. Bonus!

💡 Lesson: Insurance companies count on you not shopping around. Do it anyway—once a year is a good habit. You could save serious cash.  Even a 15-minute comparison could put money back in your wallet.

2. 🌊 Not All Damages Are Covered (Oops—Seth Learned the Hard Way)

A few months later, a torrential downpour hit. Seth’s basement turned into an indoor pool. He panicked, called his insurance company, and thought he was covered.

Instead, he got hit with:
“Sorry, your policy doesn’t cover flood damage.” 

Cue facepalm.

Turns out, most standard homeowners insurance doesn’t include flood protection—you need a separate flood policy for that. Same goes for earthquakes and sewer backups.  It’s not just rare disasters either. Even a blocked storm drain can cause thousands in damage.

Seth had no idea. And the worst part? Flood insurance was available the whole time—he just never thought to ask.

💡 Lesson: Don’t assume you’re covered for everything. Ask your agent exactly what’s excluded. Read the fine print and ask questions like: “Is water damage covered?” or “What happens if my sump pump fails?” If there’s a gap, plug it before it becomes a problem.

3. 🛋️ “Actual Cash Value” vs. “Replacement Cost” (Big Difference)

When it came time to replace his water-damaged furniture, Seth was stunned.  He figured he’d get a decent check to replace his nice sectional couch.

Instead, his insurance company gave him a fraction of what it cost to buy a new one. Why? Because his policy used actual cash value—which subtracts depreciation.  That 10-year-old couch? Practically worthless on paper.

Meanwhile, buying a brand-new one cost three times what he received. Ouch. 

What Seth should’ve had: Replacement cost coverage. That would’ve paid for a new couch, not the depreciated value of the old one. Big difference.

💡 Lesson: Know what kind of payout you’re getting before you need it. Replacement cost policies might cost a bit more, but they’ll save you a lot more when disaster hits.  Especially for big-ticket items like electronics, furniture, and appliances.

✅ Wrapping It Up: Seth’s Hard-Earned Insurance Wisdom

By the time Seth sorted everything out, he couldn’t believe how much he didn’t know when he first signed up for insurance.  All those years, he thought he was fully protected—and he wasn’t.

But you? You’re smarter now. 

Here’s what to do:
Shop around every year—you could find better rates and better coverage. Don’t let loyalty cost you.
Ask questions about what’s not covered—don’t assume anything. If it’s important to you, double-check it’s in writing.
  Choose replacement cost coverage if you can—it’s worth it. Think of it as future-proofing your stuff.

Taking a few minutes now can save you thousands (and major headaches) down the road. You deserve peace of mind—not policy surprises.

📞 Need Help?
Call us at (405) 321-4664 to talk with a local agent—no pressure, just helpful advice.  We’ll help you figure out what you really need!

🖱️Click Here to get an online quote—it’s quick, easy, and hassle-free!

We’re here to help you protect what matters most—before and after the storm!