Home renovations are exciting—whether you’re adding a new bathroom, finishing the basement, or upgrading your kitchen. But while you’re focused on materials, designs, and contractors, there’s one step many homeowners forget: updating your insurance coverage.

Major home improvements often increase the value of your property, and if your policy isn’t updated to reflect those changes, you could find yourself underinsured in the event of a claim.

Why Updates Matter

Your homeowners’ insurance is based on what it would cost to rebuild your home as it stands today. After a remodel, that number often goes up. New additions, high-end finishes, or upgraded systems all increase replacement cost—and that means your existing policy may no longer provide enough protection.

For example, if you spent $60,000 on a new kitchen but never told your insurer, your coverage might still reflect your home’s old value. In the event of a fire or major loss, that could leave you footing part of the rebuild bill yourself.

Notify Your Insurance Agency Early

Before work begins, let your insurance agency—like Petruzelo Insurance—know about your project. We can help ensure you have proper coverage during construction, especially if contractors are involved. You may need to:

• Increase your dwelling coverage to reflect your home’s higher value.
  
• Verify that contractors carry their own liability and workers’ compensation insurance.
  
• Add builders’ risk coverage to protect materials and work-in-progress from theft or damage.
  

Protecting Your Investment

Once your remodel is complete, update your home inventory with photos and receipts. Keep records of upgrades like new roofing, electrical systems, or energy-efficient appliances. These updates not only affect your replacement value but may also qualify you for premium discounts.

At Petruzelo Insurance, we help homeowners protect what matters most—especially when your home changes. Before you start your next renovation, give us a call to make sure your coverage grows with you.