Homeowner’s insurance is so important because it protects you from financial losses. It also provides protection from liability and covers damages to your property.
When you sign up for homeowner’s insurance, you are asked about the type of coverage that you want. Your home, your belongings, and even your family members will be covered if something happens.
Many homeowners don’t purchase homeowner’s insurance because they think that their house is worth more than what the cost of the premium would be. However, this is not always true since there are many factors that can affect a house’s value including taxes, location, age of home and more.
To help you understand, here is a guide to what is covered in a homeowners insurance policy.
Table of Contents
Structural damage
This covers damage to the structure of your home, such as from fire, storms, or vandalism. This includes damage to the roof, walls, foundation, and other permanent fixtures of the home. It typically includes coverage for rebuilding or repairing the home to its pre-loss condition. Some policies may also include coverage for debris removal and temporary living expenses if your home is uninhabitable due to damage.
For example, a roof replacement could run you into the thousands of dollars, but if the damage wasn’t your fault, you’re covered by your policy.
Personal property
This covers damage or loss of your personal belongings, such as furniture, electronics, clothing, and jewelry. It typically includes coverage for replacement cost of personal property, meaning that you will be reimbursed for the cost to replace the item at its current market value, rather than its depreciated value. Some policies may also include additional coverage for valuable items such as jewelry, art, and collectibles.
Liability
This covers legal and medical expenses if someone is injured on your property or if you are held liable for damage caused by you or your family members. It typically includes coverage for bodily injury and property damage, as well as defense costs in the event of a lawsuit. This coverage also applies if you or your family members cause injury or damage to others while away from home, such as in a car accident or on vacation.
Additional living expenses
This covers the cost of temporarily living elsewhere if your home is damaged and uninhabitable. This typically includes coverage for expenses such as hotel stays, meals, and transportation, as well as any additional costs incurred while living away from home.
Medical payments
This covers the medical expenses of anyone injured on your property, regardless of who is at fault. This coverage applies to medical expenses incurred by guests, visitors, or other people who are injured on your property, and typically includes coverage for emergency medical treatment and follow-up care.
It’s important to note that the coverage limits, deductibles, and exclusions will vary depending on the policy, and it’s recommended to review the policy carefully and understand what is and isn’t covered.
Some policies may have limits on coverage for certain types of personal property, such as jewelry or collectibles. Additionally, certain risks, such as flood, earthquakes, and landslides, are typically not covered by standard homeowners insurance policies and might require additional endorsements or separate policies.