Even when you’re minding your own business and relaxing in your home, disasters can strike out of nowhere. As a responsible homeowner, you need to be prepared for them all, which means starting with the right coverage. So what happens if a neighbor’s golf ball comes sailing through your home’s window? Who’s responsible for this mess, anyway?

Fortunately, a South Carolina independent insurance agent can not only answer this question for you, but also help you get equipped with the right homeowners insurance. They know just what protection you need in a crazy scenario like this, and they’ll get you set up with it long before you ever need to file a claim. But first, here’s how homeowners insurance would work in this case.

What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover in South Carolina?

Homeowners insurance in South Carolina covers multiple facets of your home, not just the exterior walls. While policies can vary, the standard protections offered in South Carolina include:

• Liability coverage: Protects you against lawsuits filed by third parties. Reimburses for legal costs, such as attorney and court fees.
• Additional living expenses coverage: Protects you against extra expenses if your home becomes temporarily uninhabitable after a covered peril event. Reimburses for expenses like hotel stays, additional mileage, meal costs, etc.
• Dwelling coverage: Protects your home’s structure against perils like storm damage, fire, vandalism, stray golf balls, etc.
• Contents coverage: Protects your stuff, like clothing, silverware, bobblehead collections, furniture, etc. against disasters like fire, theft, etc.

A South Carolina independent insurance agent can further explain common coverages included in homeowners insurance, and explain optional add-ons to policies.

What Doesn’t Homeowners Insurance Cover in South Carolina?

Your South Carolina homeowners insurance policy doesn’t cover just anything. A few common coverage exclusions are:

In South Carolina, a coastal state prone to hurricanes and other flooding disasters, adding a separate flood insurance policy is crucial. A South Carolina independent insurance agent can help you find adequate coverage for your home.

Who’s Responsible for Paying for the Damage If a Golf Ball Breaks My Window?

Though your neighbor sent the flying golf ball through your window, you would still probably go through your own homeowners insurance policy to cover the damage. That’s why it’s so important to always be equipped with adequate coverage for your home. You never know when you’ll be enjoying a nice relaxing afternoon on the couch, and suddenly there’s a new golf ball in your living room, along with shattered glass and a broken window.

What Are the Top Risks for Homeowners in South Carolina?

Homeowners in South Carolina not only have to be worried about killer golf balls, but numerous other threats, as well. Check out some of the biggest risks to homeowners in your state, to help you better prepare with the right coverage.

Top 5 risks for homeowners in South Carolina

1. Hurricanes and tropical storms
2. Ice storms and freezing
3. Burglary and other property crimes
4. Wildfires and residential fires
5. Flooding and water damage

Knowing the top threats in your area can be a great asset when shopping for coverage. Your South Carolina independent insurance agent can review even more common threats to homeowners in your area with you.

Will My South Carolina Homeowners Insurance Offer Full Coverage for the Damage to My Window?

More than likely, yes. Damage to your window would fall under the “dwelling coverage” section of your policy. After paying your deductible, you’d be reimbursed for repairs up to your policy’s limit in this category. To double-check your deductible amount and policy limits, ask your South Carolina independent insurance agent for help. They can also help you increase your policy’s limits in the dwelling section of your coverage, or in other areas.

Am I Responsible for Covering Any Damage Caused by the Golf Ball?

Technically it would be your homeowners insurance company that’s responsible for covering the damage. According to insurance expert Paul Martin, it would only be your responsibility to cover the cost of your policy’s deductible out of your own pocket. Deductibles must be met on a per-claim basis. If you’re concerned about your policy’s deductible being too high, work with your South Carolina independent insurance agent to change this.

Here’s How a South Carolina Independent Insurance Agent Would Help

When it comes to protecting homeowners against stray golf balls shattering their windows and other bizarre incidents, no one’s better equipped to help than a South Carolina independent insurance agent. Independent insurance agents search through multiple carriers to find providers who specialize in homeowners insurance, deliver quotes from a number of different sources, and help you walk through them all to find the best blend of coverage and cost.