Your home is where your family builds memories and where you've invested your future. For over 25 years, Gerety Insurance has helped homeowners understand their coverage, avoid costly gaps, and ensure they're protected without overpaying.
Our loyalty is always to you first, not to any specific insurance brand. We work with multiple carriers to find exactly what you need.
Standard homeowners policies exclude several common categories. The most important ones to know:
Not sure if a specific loss is covered? Read our flood coverage guide or call us before filing a claim.
Yes, if the damage was caused by a covered peril like wind, hail, or fire. It will not cover a roof that has simply worn out over time. Older roofs may also be settled on actual cash value rather than full replacement cost, which means depreciation is factored in. Learn how roof depreciation works.
Most increases have nothing to do with your claims history. Maryland homeowners have seen significant rate hikes driven by rising construction costs, severe weather, and reinsurance market pressure. Your home's age, condition, and location can also trigger a renewal adjustment. See our Maryland hard market guide or contact us to shop your rate.
The most effective options:
As an independent agency, we shop multiple carriers to find competitive rates without cutting your coverage.
Enough to fully rebuild your home from the ground up, not its market value. Replacement cost and market value are often very different numbers, and insuring for less leaves you short after a total loss. Your personal property and liability limits should also reflect what you actually own and your overall financial exposure.
If the repair cost is close to your deductible, paying out of pocket is often the smarter long-term call. Filing a claim can raise your premium at renewal or affect your eligibility with certain carriers. For significant damage, filing is the right move. Call us first; we can help you think through the numbers without obligation, and that conversation is not reported to your carrier.
Choose the highest deductible you could cover out of pocket without financial hardship. For most homeowners, $1,000 to $2,500 strikes the right balance between premium savings and manageable risk. If your area has elevated hail or wind exposure, check whether your policy carries a separate percentage-based deductible for those perils; it works differently from a flat amount.
Replacement cost pays to repair or replace damaged property at today's prices. Actual cash value pays what it was worth at the time of the loss, after depreciation. The gap grows on older items; a 15-year-old roof costs far more to replace than its depreciated value. Replacement cost coverage carries a higher premium but avoids that shortfall.
Loss of use coverage pays living expenses while your home is repaired after a covered loss , hotel stays, temporary rent, and meals above your normal spending. If a fire makes your home uninhabitable for two months, this coverage keeps that displacement from becoming a separate financial crisis. Check your policy limits before you need it.
