Home Renovation Insurance Guide

April 30, 2025

Dreaming of Renovations? Don't Forget Your Insurance in San Marcos! Home Renovation Insurance Guide

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Home renovations can be an exciting time for homeowners in San Marcos, transforming your living space and potentially increasing your property value. However, before you start swinging that hammer or knocking down walls, it's crucial to consider the insurance implications of your home improvement projects. At San Marcos Insurance Agency, we want to ensure your renovations go smoothly and that your updated home is properly protected.

Insurance Considerations Before You Renovate

Embarking on a home renovation project can introduce new risks. Here are some key insurance considerations to keep in mind:

Increased Home Value: As you improve your home, its overall value likely increases. Your existing homeowners insurance policy may no longer provide adequate coverage for the newly enhanced value. It's essential to reassess your dwelling coverage limits to ensure you can fully rebuild your home in case of a covered loss.
Liability During Construction: Depending on the scope of your renovations, you might have contractors working on your property. Ensure they have their own liability insurance. You may also want to consider increasing your own liability coverage during the renovation period to protect against potential accidents on your property.
Unoccupied or Partially Occupied Home: If your renovations require you to temporarily move out or leave parts of your home unoccupied, your insurance coverage might be affected. Some policies have limitations for vacant or unoccupied properties. Discuss this with your insurance agent.
Permits and Building Codes: Ensure your renovations comply with local building codes and that you have the necessary permits. Failure to do so could potentially impact an insurance claim.
Specific Project Risks: Certain types of renovations, like adding a swimming pool or making significant structural changes, may require specific insurance endorsements or additional coverage.

Updating Your Coverage for Increased Home Value

Once your renovations are complete, it's vital to update your homeowners insurance policy to reflect the increased value of your home. This ensures that in the event of a covered loss, you have sufficient funds to rebuild your newly improved property. Provide your insurance agent with details about the renovations and any increase in square footage or significant upgrades.

San Marcos Insurance Agency: Your Partner in Protecting Your Renovated Home

At San Marcos Insurance Agency, we understand that your home is one of your most significant investments. We're here to guide San Marcos homeowners through the insurance considerations of their renovation projects. We can help you:

Review your current homeowners insurance policy.
Assess your coverage needs based on your renovation plans.
Explore options for increased dwelling coverage and liability protection.
Ensure your policy accurately reflects the updated value of your home.

Renovate with Confidence!

Don't let insurance be an afterthought during your home renovation journey. Contact San Marcos Insurance Agency before you begin your project to ensure you have the right coverage in place to protect your investment and enjoy your newly transformed home in San Marcos.

San Marcos Insurance Agency – Protecting Your Home, Through Every Improvement.

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Beyond the Commute: Insuring Your Boat, RV, and Motorcycle in Central Texas

December 3, 2025

Living in Central Texas isn't just about the great communities and proximity to Austin and San Antonio. For many of us, it's about the weekends. It’s about getting out and enjoying the incredible landscape that surrounds us. It's about launching the boat at Canyon Lake, taking a scenic motorcycle ride through the twists and turns of the Hill Country, or parking the RV for a long weekend getaway. Your "toys" are your ticket to freedom, but they also represent a significant investment and a major liability. A common and costly mistake is assuming your auto or home insurance policy automatically covers them. It doesn't. At San Marcos Insurance Agency, we help our clients protect their fun. Here’s what you need to know about insuring your recreational vehicles. 1. Boats on Canyon Lake & The Guadalupe Here’s the hard truth: Your homeowners insurance provides little to no meaningful coverage for your boat. It might cover a small canoe or kayak for liability on your property, but the moment you put a motor on it or take it to a lake, you're exposed. A dedicated boat policy is essential and covers: • Physical Damage: Protects the boat, motor, and trailer from theft, fire, or damage, whether it's on the water or in your driveway. • Liability: This is critical. It covers you if you cause an accident that injures another boater or damages their property (docks, other boats). • On-Water Towing: If you're stranded in the middle of Canyon Lake with a dead engine, this coverage is a lifesaver, paying for the tow back to the marina. • Wreckage Removal: If your boat sinks, you are legally responsible for the cost of removing it. This coverage handles that expense. 2. Motorcycle Rides in the Hill Country A motorcycle isn't just a smaller car; it carries entirely different risks. The winding roads around Wimberley and Dripping Springs are beautiful but demand respect. Standard auto insurance isn't enough. A motorcycle policy needs to include: • Guest Passenger Liability: Does your policy cover a passenger riding with you? Many don't unless you specifically add it. • Custom Parts & Equipment (CPE): You've spent money on custom pipes, a new seat, and chrome. Your basic policy won't cover those upgrades unless you add CPE coverage. • Higher Medical Payments: With a higher risk of injury, increasing your own medical payments coverage is a smart move. 3. RVs & Travel Trailers: A Vehicle or a Home? The answer is: it's both. And it needs to be insured that way. Your auto policy only provides basic liability when the trailer is hitched to your truck, and your home policy doesn't cover it at all. You need a dedicated RV or travel trailer policy, which combines the best of auto and home insurance: • Total Loss Replacement: If your new RV is totaled, this can help you get a brand new, comparable model, not just the depreciated cash value. • Vacation Liability: Covers you for injuries or property damage that happen at your campsite—for instance, if a guest trips over your awning. • Personal Effects: Covers all the stuff you keep inside your camper (grills, TVs, clothes, camping gear) that aren't part of the vehicle itself. • Full-Timer's Liability: If you live in your RV for months at a time, this provides broader liability protection that acts more like a homeowners policy. 4. The Bundle is Your Best Friend Here's the good news. Insuring your "toys" doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. Most carriers we work with offer significant discounts for "bundling." When you insure your boat, motorcycle, or RV with the same company that writes your home and auto policies, you not only simplify your life with one agent and one bill, but you can also unlock multi-policy discounts that save you serious money. Get Your Fun Covered Before you hook up the trailer or roll out the bike for your next adventure, let's talk. A quick 15-minute call with us can ensure your weekend fun is properly protected. Contact San Marcos Insurance Agency today for a free, no-obligation quote on your recreational vehicles.