How Homeowners Insurance Protects Your Home 

Homeowners insurance protects your home and personal belongings against fire, theft, and other covered threats. It can also cover your liability for damage caused by others and their property.

Rates for home insurance policies are primarily determined by the insurer’s risk that you will file a claim. This risk is assessed based on past claim history associated with your property and the neighborhood in which it sits.

Dwelling Coverage

Dwelling coverage is part of a homeowners insurance policy that protects your home from specific types of hazards and perils. It covers the physical structure of your home and attached items from losses that cause repairs or rebuilding costs, such as fire, wind, hail, earthquakes, and theft.

It is also known as “Coverage A” in a homeowners policy, and it’s crucial to have this type of insurance protection to keep your home intact. It’s not intended to cover the contents of your house or freestanding buildings on your property, so you will need other coverages to get complete protection for everything that isn’t protected by dwelling coverage.

The sum of dwelling coverage you need depends on various factors, including the size and age of your home, its unique features, and the cost to replace it. Experts recommend checking in with your insurer every year on how much it would cost to rebuild your home in today’s market.

Personal Property Coverage

Personal property coverage is a component of home insurance that protects your possessions. It includes things like furniture, electronics, and clothing.

The policy pays to replace your belongings if they’re damaged or stolen. This type of coverage is usually called “Coverage C” in many homeowners’ policies. It is an important part of the overall protection you’ll get from the best homeowners insurance in Florida.

An excellent way to determine how much personal property coverage you need is by preparing an inventory of your belongings. It will help you figure out how much it would cost to replace everything you own in the event of a loss.

Once you’ve gathered the information, talk to your insurance agent about adding personal property coverage to your home insurance policy. You can add a scheduled personal property, an optional endorsement, or a separate policy to increase your personal property coverage to match the value of your items.

You can also upgrade your personal property coverage to replacement cost value. This type of personal property coverage means you’ll get a new item for the exact amount it costs to replace your damaged or stolen belongings.

Personal property coverage is included in most homeowner’s, condo, or renters’ insurance policies. But if you own expensive personal items such as jewelry, art, or other high-value goods, you’ll want to ensure your policy includes adequate coverage.

Other Structures Coverage

A homeowners insurance policy covers detached structures like a garage or shed and landscaping items like trees and shrubs. This section of the policy is called other structures coverage or Coverage B, and it protects all the items on your property that aren’t attached to your house.

Other structures are usually covered against any perils covered by your dwelling coverage, such as fire, theft, or vandalism. For example, if a tree falls on a fence, the Other Structures coverage would pay to repair or replace it.

Most policies have a standard other structures coverage of about 10% of your dwelling limit. However, there may need to be more to replace a large in-ground pool or a detached shed, so assessing your property and determining how much replacement value is required for each structure is essential.

Then, speak with your insurer about increasing the other structures’ coverage to ensure you’re adequately protected in the event of a loss.

Other structures’ coverage typically works on a replacement cost basis, meaning it will reimburse you for what it costs to rebuild your home at 100 percent of its original value. However, it can vary by policy and company, so getting this information from your insurance agent is essential. You can also request a written breakdown of your other structures coverage.

Liability Coverage

Liability coverage is included in most homeowners’ policies to protect you against claims of bodily injury and property damage made by others, including guests or visitors, who are visiting your home. It may also cover legal expenses if you are sued for these accidents.

Personal liability insurance can help pay medical bills and other costs if someone else is hurt on your property or injured by your dog while outside your home. It may also pay the medical bills of an injured person if you are found negligent in a lawsuit.

Generally, the limits for liability are about $100,000; however, it’s always a good idea to talk with your insurance professional about whether you need a higher limit. If you have significant assets and want more coverage, consider purchasing an umbrella or excess liability policy.

Another way to protect yourself from financial loss is to increase the deductible on your homeowners’ policy. It will discourage you from making small claims, which can lower your premiums. You may also be eligible for a discount if you maintain other policies with the same company, such as auto or health insurance.