Home buyers & closings

Homeowners Insurance for Home Buyers on Long Island & NYC

Buying a home? Your lender needs proof of homeowners insurance before you can close. Sellis Brokerage is an independent insurance brokerage in Bohemia, NY. We compare dozens of carriers, send the binder to your lender with the mortgagee clause done right, and help keep your closing on schedule in New York, New Jersey and Florida.

Start My Home Buyer Quote →Call (631) 861-3175
Dozens of carriers comparedBinder sent to your lenderFlood & coastal homes
New homeowners standing in front of their colonial house on Long Island after closing
Close on timeProof of insurance, fast
Binder to your lenderMortgagee clause set up right
In short: send us the address, purchase price, closing date and your lender's mortgagee clause as soon as your offer is accepted. We shop the home with standard and coastal carriers, explain the options in plain English, and deliver the binder or evidence of insurance to your lender before closing.
Your closing insurance timeline

When to do what, from offer to keys

Insurance is one of the last conditions a lender clears. Starting early avoids last-minute surprises with flood zones, older roofs or coastal wind deductibles.

1. Offer acceptedRequest quotes right away. We check the flood zone and anything an underwriter will ask about, like roof age or updates.
2. During underwritingCompare coverage, deductibles and price side by side, and choose your policy. Add flood, umbrella or auto if it makes sense.
3. Before clear to closeWe bind coverage and send the binder or evidence of insurance to your lender with the correct mortgagee clause.
4. Closing dayThe first year's premium is paid at or before closing, the policy is issued, and you get the keys with coverage in place.
Home buyers signing closing documents with their loan officer
How it works

Getting insured for your closing with Sellis Brokerage

  1. Tell us about the home

    Share the address, purchase price, closing date and your lender's mortgagee clause if you have it.

  2. We shop the market

    One request gets you quotes from carriers such as Progressive, Travelers, Safeco, Liberty Mutual, Narragansett Bay, Kingstone, SageSure and Granada, plus specialty markets for coastal and high-value homes.

  3. We walk you through your options

    Coverage, deductibles (including wind and hurricane deductibles) and price, side by side, in plain English.

  4. We send proof to your lender

    Once you choose a policy, we send the binder or evidence of insurance to your lender with the mortgagee clause set up correctly.

Start My Home Buyer Quote →
Proof of insurance

What your lender will ask for

Every lender has its own checklist, but these come up on almost every purchase. We handle them for you.

Binder or EOITemporary proof of coverage until the full policy is issued.
Mortgagee clauseYour lender's exact name, address and ISAOA/ATIMA wording.
Enough dwelling coverageA limit that meets the lender's rules, usually tied to the cost to rebuild.
Paid premiumA paid receipt, or the first year's premium collected at closing.
Deductibles within limitsIncluding wind and hurricane deductibles on coastal homes.
Flood policy, if requiredMandatory for high-risk flood zones with most mortgages.
HO-6 for condos & co-opsWalls-in coverage matched to the building's master policy.
Correct effective dateCoverage that starts on or before your closing date.
Coastal & waterfront homes

Buying in a flood zone?

Standard homeowners policies don't cover flood. If the home is in a high-risk flood zone and your mortgage comes from a federally regulated or insured lender, flood insurance will be required.

We check the flood zone, review the elevation certificate if there is one, and compare NFIP and private flood side by side. NFIP caps home coverage at $250,000 for the building and $100,000 for contents; private flood can offer higher limits, additional living expenses and shorter waiting periods. Coastal homes on the South Shore, North Fork and the Hamptons may also carry wind or hurricane deductibles, which we explain before you choose.

Learn about flood insurance →
Waterfront home with a dock on a Long Island bay
What you're buying

Coverage for every kind of purchase

Single-family homesIncluding coastal, waterfront and high-value homes. Condos & co-opsHO-6 policies matched to the building's master policy. Investment properties1-4 unit rentals on landlord / dwelling fire policies, and larger buildings. Umbrella & autoExtra liability above your home and auto, reviewed together.
For real estate agents & loan officers

Insurance shouldn't be what delays a closing

Send your buyers to us early. We quote quickly, flag flood-zone or coastal issues up front, and work directly with the lender on proof of insurance and mortgagee details, so your file clears on time.

Call (631) 861-3175Refer a buyer by email
To quote your new home

What to have ready

Don't have everything yet? Send what you have and we'll fill in the rest together. Your listing sheet or inspection report often answers most of these.

  • Property address and purchase price
  • Expected closing date
  • Lender name and mortgagee clause
  • Year built and square footage
  • Roof, heating, electrical and plumbing update years
  • Elevation certificate, if the home has one
  • Current insurance and any claims in the last 5 years
  • Drivers and vehicles, if you'd like to bundle auto
FAQ

Home buyer insurance questions

When should I shop for homeowners insurance when buying a house?

As soon as your offer is accepted. That leaves time to compare quotes, sort out any flood or wind issues, and get proof of insurance to your lender well before closing. Waiting until the last week is the most common reason insurance holds up a closing.

What is a homeowners insurance binder?

A binder is temporary proof that your coverage is in place until the full policy is issued. Lenders typically ask for a binder or evidence of insurance (EOI) before they will clear you to close.

What does my lender need from my insurance?

Usually a binder or declarations page that lists the lender as mortgagee, coverage and deductibles that meet the lender's requirements, and confirmation that the first year's premium is paid or will be paid at closing.

What is a mortgagee clause?

The mortgagee clause is the lender's exact name and mailing address, often followed by ISAOA/ATIMA (its successors and assigns). It must appear on your policy exactly as the lender provides it, so we confirm it with your loan officer before sending proof of insurance.

Do I need flood insurance?

It's required if the home is in a high-risk flood zone (a Special Flood Hazard Area) and your mortgage is from a federally regulated or insured lender. Even outside those zones it's worth considering, because homeowners policies don't cover flood.

Can I bundle home and auto insurance?

Yes. Many carriers discount home and auto written together, and buying a home is a good time to review your cars and add an umbrella. We quote them together so you can compare the bundle against separate policies.

Do you work directly with real estate agents and lenders?

Yes. We work with agents, loan officers, attorneys and closing teams to deliver quotes and proof of insurance quickly, and we can send the binder straight to the lender.

What areas do you serve?

Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk counties), New York City, the rest of New York State, New Jersey and Florida. Our office is at 868 Church Street, Suite 7, Bohemia, NY 11716.

Closing soon? Let's get you insured.

Tell us about the home and we'll shop it with the right carriers at no cost to you.

Start My Home Buyer Quote →Call (631) 861-3175
Long Island single-family home with a green lawn