Frequency Asked Questions About Home Insurance

Home insurance typically covers damage or loss to your home and personal belongings caused by perils such as fire, theft, vandalism, and certain natural disasters. It may also include liability coverage for accidents that occur on your property.

While it's not legally required, it's highly recommended to have home insurance even if you own your home outright. It protects your investment in case of unexpected events like fires, storms, or liability claims.

The amount of coverage you need depends on factors like the value of your home, the cost to rebuild, the value of your belongings, and your liability risks. It's wise to ensure your coverage is sufficient to rebuild your home and replace your belongings in case of a total loss.

Several factors can influence the cost of home insurance, including the location of your home, its age and construction, your claims history, the coverage limits you choose, and any additional endorsements or riders you add to your policy.

Standard home insurance policies typically do not cover damage from floods. You'll need a separate flood insurance policy, which is often provided by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or through private insurers.

Yes, there are several ways to potentially lower your home insurance premiums. These include raising your deductible, bundling your home and auto insurance policies, improving home security measures, maintaining a good credit score, and periodically shopping around for better rates.

A deductible is the amount you're responsible for paying out of pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in. For example, if you have a $1,000 deductible and a covered claim results in $5,000 of damage, you would pay the first $1,000 and your insurance would cover the remaining $4,000.

Standard home insurance policies usually provide limited coverage for business property and liability related to home-based businesses. If you operate a business from home, you may need additional coverage such as a business owners policy (BOP) or an endorsement to your home insurance policy.

If you need to make a claim, contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the incident. Be prepared to provide details about what happened and any documentation or evidence you have. Your insurer will guide you through the claims process.

Yes, you can typically cancel your home insurance policy at any time, but you may be subject to a cancellation fee depending on your insurer's policies. Keep in mind that going without home insurance leaves you financially vulnerable, so it's important to have coverage in place before canceling a policy.