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Homeowners Insurance Policy

Types of Home Insurance Policies You Can Buy and What They Cover

Homeowners Insurance - Introduction of Homeowners Insurance Policy

Different policies exist for renters, owners of mobile homes, people seeking bare bones coverage and those living in homes that are very old, but most homeowners will purchase what is called an HO-3 policy.

This Home insurance policy covers your home and its contents against damage and theft, as well as you, the owner, against personal liability if someone is injured while on your property. This coverage also includes damage caused by pets and most major disasters, though floods and earthquakes require separate policies.

Homeowners insurance does not cover problems that result from poor maintenance or general wear and tear. A basic homeowners insurance policy should also cover other structures on your property and should provide for living expenses in case you are not able to live at home after a fire or other insured disaster.

Homeowners Insurance - liability limit

One of the first things you need to know about your policy is the liability limit. The liability limit determines how much coverage you have should something happen to your home. These limits usually start at $100,000, but policies can be purchased with much higher limits. Most experts recommend that you have at least $300,000 to $500,000 of coverage, depending on the value of your home.

When someone talks about the amount of coverage they have, or their liability limit, they are probably referring to the coverage for their home -- that is, for the amount of money it would cost to rebuild their home given the price of materials and labor in the area. This amount is not the same as the purchase price of your home, which accounts for factors like the value of the land. A quick estimate of your rebuilding cost can be done by multiplying your home’s total square footage by the building cost per square foot.

While your liability limit is a reflection of the amount of coverage for your actual home, other structures on your property, such as a garage, are usually covered for 10 percent of that amount. Coverage for personal belongings usually falls somewhere between 50 percent and 70 percent of the amount of coverage on the structure of the home. And, as mentioned earlier, in case you have to live somewhere else because of damage to your home, most plans cover costs of living away from home -- hotel, restaurants, etc. -- up to 20 percent of your home’s liability limit. Other policies may provide unlimited coverage for living expenses but only for a limited period of time.

Some Home insurance companies also give you the choice of getting a policy that provides for replacement cost versus actual cash value. Replacement cost coverage is usually 10 percent more expensive than actual cash value coverage, but replacement coverage pays for a new version of the item that was lost or damaged while actual cash value gives you money equivalent to the current value of that item (accounting for depreciation). For example, if you suffer a house fire and your computer cost you $3,000, but you have a replacement cost policy, your Home insurance company will likely pay for a new $3,000 computer, even if yours is several years old. In many cases, the Home insurance company will also arrange to have the item delivered. But if you have an actual cash value policy, the insurer will only pay you the current value of that computer before the accident. In the case of electronics, which can depreciate in value rapidly over time, a replacement cost policy can be a big advantage.

Homeowners Insurance - Special Policies

Some homeowners may require a higher liability limit than what comes standard with their policy. Getting a higher limit can sometimes be as simple as paying a higher premium. However, in certain cases a special type of policy might be necessary. For example, an umbrella or excess liability policy is a separate policy that pays money to the policyholder after the liability limit on your regular homeowners insurance has been reached. These policies can also offer broader coverage, such as defending against things like invasion of privacy, slander and libel. Generally, you have to have $300,000 in regular coverage before you can get an umbrella policy, and the more coverage you have in your regular policy, the cheaper your umbrella policy will be. An umbrella policy of $1 million in extra liability protection can cost $200 to $350 a year.

Other special policies include a special personal property floater/endorsement. This type of policy allows you to insure valuable items individually or together, has no deductible and charges a premium based on what the item is, its worth and where you live. An appraisal or a recent receipt determines the value of the item in question.

Remember that most standard policies do not cover earthquakes or floods. If you live in an area prone to these disasters, you'll definitely want to consider special Home insurance policies that cover earthquakes and/or floods. Many policies do cover other natural disasters such as tornadoes and hurricanes, but it’s always best to check with your carrier and, if your area experiences these disasters, consider getting a special policy.

Home Insurance - What is in a standard homeowners insurance policy?

A standard homeowners insurance policy includes four essential types of coverage. They include:

• Coverage for the structure of your home.
• Coverage for your personal belongings.
• Liability protection.
• Additional living expenses in the event you are temporarily unable to live in your home because of a fire or other insured disaster.

Homeowners Insurance - The structure of your house

Homeowners Insurance - Your personal belongings

Your furniture, clothes, sports equipment and other personal items are covered if they are stolen or destroyed by fire, hurricane or other insured disaster. Most companies provide coverage for 50% to 70% of the amount of insurance you have on the structure of your home. So if you have $100,000 worth of insurance on the structure of your home, you would have between $50,000 to $70,000 worth of coverage for your belongings. The best way to determine if this is enough coverage is to conduct a home inventory.

This part of your policy includes off-premises coverage. This means that your belongings are covered anywhere in the world, unless you have decided against off-premises coverage. Some companies limit the amount to 10% of the amount of insurance you have for your possessions. You have up to $500 of coverage for unauthorized use of your credit cards.

Expensive items like jewelry, furs and silverware are covered, but there are usually dollar limits if they are stolen. Generally, you are covered for between $1,000 to $2,000 for all of your jewelry and furs. To insure these items to their full value, purchase a special personal property endorsement or floater and insure the item for it's appraised value. Coverage includes “accidental disappearance,” meaning coverage if you simply lose that item. And there is no deductible.

Trees, plants and shrubs are also covered under standard homeowners insurance. Generally you are covered for 5% of the insurance on the house—up to about $500 per item. Perils covered are theft, fire, lightning, explosion, vandalism, riot and even falling aircraft. They are not covered for damage by wind or disease.

Homeowners Insurance - Liability protection

Liability covers you against lawsuits for bodily injury or property damage that you or family members cause to other people. It also pays for damage caused by your pets. So, if your son, daughter or dog accidentally ruins your neighbor’s expensive rug, you are covered. However, if they destroy your rug, you are not covered.

The liability portion of your policy pays for both the cost of defending you in court and any court awards—up to the limit of your policy. You are also covered not just in your home, but anywhere in the world.

Liability limits generally start at about $100,000. However, experts recommend that you purchase at least $300,000 worth of protection. Some people feel more comfortable with even more coverage. You can purchase an umbrella or excess liability policy which provides broader coverage, including claims against you for libel and slander, as well as higher liability limits. Generally, umbrella policies cost between $200 to $350 for $1 million of additional liability protection.

Your policy also provides no-fault medical coverage. In the event a friend or neighbor is injured in your home, he or she can simply submit medical bills to your insurance company. This way, expenses are paid without a liability claim being filed against you. You can generally get $1,000 to $5,000 worth of this coverage. It does not, however, pay the medical bills for your family or your pet.

Homeowners Insurance - Additional living expenses

This pays the additional costs of living away from home if you can't live there due to damage from a fire, storm or other insured disaster.

It covers hotel bills, restaurant meals and other living expenses incurred while your home is being rebuilt. Coverage for additional living expenses differs from company to company. Many policies provide coverage for about 20% of the insurance on your house.

You can increase this coverage, however, for an additional premium.

Some companies sell a policy that provides an unlimited amount of loss-of-use coverage, but for a limited amount of time.

If you rent out part of your house, this coverage also reimburses you for the rent that you would have collected from your tenant if your home had not been destroyed. 

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