Personal Insurance
Homeowners Insurance
Protection for the structure of your home, your belongings, and personal liability.
Coverage overview
Homeowners policies typically bundle several coverages: the dwelling itself, other structures, personal property, loss of use, and personal liability with medical payments to others.
Exactly which perils are covered, whether losses are settled at replacement cost or actual cash value, and which endorsements are available depend on the specific policy and carrier.
Who may need this coverage
- Owners who live in the home they're insuring
- Homeowners with a mortgage that requires coverage
- Owners of homes with detached structures such as garages or sheds
- Anyone who wants liability protection tied to their residence
Common coverage considerations
- Dwelling and other structures coverage amounts
- Personal property limits and replacement cost vs. actual cash value
- Personal liability and medical payments to others
- Deductibles, including any separate wind or hail deductible
- Endorsements such as water backup, service line, or equipment breakdown
What may not be covered
- Flood, which generally requires separate flood coverage
- Earth movement such as earthquakes, unless added by endorsement where available
- Gradual wear, maintenance issues, and some types of water damage
- Business property or activities beyond policy limits and terms
Factors that may affect price or eligibility
- The home's construction, age, and features
- Coverage amounts, deductibles, and endorsements selected
- Location and local exposure to certain perils
- Claims history and protective devices such as alarms
Information commonly needed for a quote
- The property address and year built
- Approximate square footage and construction details
- An estimate of the value of your belongings
- Any current policy, its limits, and renewal date
A practical example
A kitchen fire damages part of a home and its contents. Depending on the policy, dwelling coverage may help repair the structure, personal property coverage may help replace belongings, and loss of use may help with additional living costs if the home is temporarily uninhabitable — each subject to limits and the deductible.
Questions to ask a licensed professional
- Is my dwelling coverage enough to rebuild at today's costs?
- Are my belongings covered at replacement cost or actual cash value?
- Do I need separate flood coverage for my area?
- Which endorsements are worth considering for my home?
Frequently asked questions
This page is a general educational summary and does not change, replace, or create insurance coverage. Coverage terms, conditions, limits, exclusions, eligibility, and availability vary by policy, carrier, state, and underwriting requirements. Coverage is not effective unless confirmed in writing by an authorized insurance carrier or properly licensed insurance professional.
Let's Protect What Matters to You.
Tell us what you need to protect, and a licensed insurance professional can help you explore available options.