KW Success Realty
April Davis, KW Success Realty Phone: (850) 774-7221
Email: [email protected]

Insurance on your house: A basic guide to homeowners insurance policies

by April Davis 12/07/2023

Photo of colorful umbrellas

Homeowners insurance is more than just insurance on a house. While policies offer financial protection for damage to your home's structure, it's important to understand the other facets of this type of insurance.

Is it necessary to buy home insurance?

Homeowners insurance is typically required by mortgage lenders. Many banks or lending institutions won't approve you for financing unless you have homeowners insurance coverage, so it's important to find a policy that works for you.

What are the three main types of homeowners insurance?

Homeowners insurance policies offer three main types of coverage: actual cash value, replacement cost and guaranteed replacement cost. Actual cash value coverage covers the cost of your home and the value of your belongings after depreciation. Replacement cost covers the value without depreciation.

Guaranteed replacement cost is a form of coverage that protects you against inflation by covering costs over your normal coverage limits.

What are the six categories typically covered by homeowners insurance?

Homeowners insurance policies usually have six distinct components. These individual components are:



  • Dwelling
  • Other structures
  • Personal property
  • Loss of use
  • Personal liability
  • Medical payments

The first three categories protect you financially from property damage and the costs to repair or replace. Loss of use coverage helps pay for expenses incurred while you're waiting for repairs or replacements to your home.

Liability coverage is there in case you accidentally cause damage to another person's property, while the medical bills portion can reimburse other people who incur minor injuries on your own property.

What is commonly excluded from a homeowners insurance policy?

While this is a basic overview of what your homeowners insurance might cover, the details are different with every insurance company. There are certain types of property damage, such as flood or earthquake damage, which require a separate policy.

Knowing the exclusions and special conditions of your own homeowners insurance policy is crucial for making informed decisions about other types of insurance you might need. In addition to protection from natural disasters, this might include umbrella policies or additional personal liability protection.

Discuss the details of your policy with your insurance provider for a better understanding of your coverage limits and any applicable exclusions. Not only will you be better protected financially, you'll also have more peace of mind if property damage occurs.

About the Author
Author

April Davis

Congratulations!! You have found The Agent who truly believes in treating others the way she would want to be treated. I was NOT born a Bay County resident; I'm a transplant from Georgia. This actually gives me a bit of an edge in seeing things through the vision of a newcomer. This edge is the fact that I've done all the research and traveling to find the attractions, benefits, events and a wealth of other information most new arrivals to beautiful Bay County are seeking to find. I will walk that mile (or more) with YOU to find YOUR IDEAL IMAGE HOME. Although each of us has different wishes for our homes, we can all agree that we want it to be "A place of refuge, comfort, hope, memories and happiness". I know Bay County extensively and I'm familiar with being in the military "family". I am an extremely proud Retired Air Force spouse. My motto as your agent is: "It is my mission to treat YOU as I would desire to be treated". I would like to help you with full integrity, on a timely basis and with positively your best interest at heart. If you are currently a Bay County resident and wish to sell or purchase a home, please consider my services as well...because; that same integrity used for newcomers will be exactly the same for locals!