What Every Homeowner Needs to Know

Whether you’re buying your first home or you’ve owned your property for years, understanding home insurance is essential to protecting your investment. Home insurance provides financial security in the face of unexpected events like fires, theft, storms, and liability claims. Here’s a straightforward guide to help you understand the basics.

What Does Home Insurance Cover? A standard home insurance policy typically includes:

• Dwelling Coverage: Protects the physical structure of your home, including walls, roof, and built-in appliances.
• Personal Property Coverage: Covers belongings such as furniture, electronics, and clothing if they’re stolen or damaged.
• Liability Protection: Pays for legal fees and damages if someone is injured on your property.
• Loss of Use: Covers additional living expenses if your home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered event.

What’s Not Covered? Most standard policies do not cover damage from floods, earthquakes, or lack of maintenance. You may need separate policies or endorsements for full protection.

Optional Add-ons Depending on where you live and what you own, consider:

• Flood insurance
• Earthquake insurance
• Extended replacement cost coverage
• Scheduled personal property for high-value items (jewelry, art)

How Premiums Are Calculated Your rate depends on several factors:

• Home value and rebuild cost
• Location and local risks (flood zones, wildfire areas)
• Your claims history and credit score
• Safety features like smoke alarms and security systems

Tips to Lower Your Premium

• Bundle home and auto insurance
• Increase your deductible
• Install safety devices
• Maintain a good credit score

Why It Matters: A home is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make. Having the right insurance ensures that if disaster strikes, you can recover financially without added stress. It’s not just about protecting the house—it’s about protecting your peace of mind.

Need help choosing the right home insurance coverage? Reach out to our team today—we’re happy to walk you through it.