Protect your sanctuary.
Defend your equity.
Your home is likely your largest financial asset. A robust Homeowners Insurance policy protects the structure, your personal belongings, and shields you from devastating liability lawsuits.
- Covers fire, wind, hail, theft, and vandalism (HO-3).
- Replaces your ruined belongings at full Replacement Cost.
- Required by 100% of mortgage lenders before closing.
Rebuild Cost vs. Market Value
Due to inflation, lumber and labor cost more than ever. We ensure your policy covers the true cost to rebuild your home from the ground up, not just its market value.
Personal Liability Shield
If a guest slips on your icy driveway or your dog bites a neighbor, your policy covers their medical bills and defends you against devastating lawsuits.
Loss of Use (ALE)
If a fire makes your home unlivable, your insurance pays for your hotel bills, meals out, and additional living expenses while your house is being repaired.
Check Home Rates
Compare affordable coverage options for your specific zip code and home type.
Understanding Coverages A through F
A standard HO-3 Homeowners policy is actually a package of six distinct coverages designed to protect every aspect of your property and liability.
Dwelling Coverage
The core of your policy. It pays to repair or completely rebuild the physical structure of your house (walls, roof, foundation, built-in appliances) if destroyed by a covered peril like fire or a hurricane.
Other Structures
Protects structures on your property that are not physically attached to your main house. This includes detached garages, sheds, fences, retaining walls, and gazebos (usually set at 10% of Coverage A).
Personal Property
Covers the contents of your home. If you flipped your house upside down, everything that falls out—furniture, clothes, electronics, appliances—is covered if stolen or destroyed (usually 50% of Coverage A).
Loss of Use
If a fire makes your home unlivable, this coverage (also called Additional Living Expenses) pays for your hotel bills, restaurant meals, and laundry costs while your home is being repaired.
Personal Liability
Protects your assets if someone sues you. If a guest slips on your icy stairs, or your child accidentally throws a baseball through a neighbor's expensive window, this covers legal defense and settlements.
Medical Payments
A "no-fault" coverage designed to prevent lawsuits. If a guest sustains a minor injury on your property (like a dog nip or a twisted ankle), this pays their immediate medical bills up to a small limit (e.g., $1k - $5k).
Rebuild & Exposure Estimator
Your home's market value (what it sells for) is NOT the same as its Replacement Cost (what it costs to build it from scratch today). Ensure you aren't underinsured.
Home Details
Affects the cost per square foot to rebuild.
Your Coverage Targets
Target Dwelling (Cov A)
$300k
Est. to rebuild from scratch
Target Property (Cov C)
$150k
To replace all belongings
Estimated Monthly Premium
Protecting $450k in physical assets costs a fraction of your monthly mortgage payment.
*Educational tool. Rebuild estimates rely on national averages per sq/ft. Premium estimates assume a standard risk profile and do not account for zip-code specific risks (like coastal wind/hurricanes or high-crime areas), claims history, or credit score.
Know the Limits of Your Policy
The biggest mistake homeowners make is assuming standard insurance covers everything. See the crucial differences between Homeowners, Home Warranties, and specialized disaster coverage.
| Coverage Scenario | Homeowners (HO-3) | Home Warranty | Flood / Quake Policy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen Fire Ruins Cabinets | Covered | Not Covered | Not Covered |
| HVAC Dies from Old Age | Excluded (Maintenance) | Covered | Not Covered |
| Guest Slips & Sues You | Covered (Liability) | Not Covered | Not Covered |
| Hurricane Surge Floods House | Explicitly Excluded | Not Covered | Covered (Separate Policy) |
Crucial Coverage Rules
Understanding these three rules ensures you aren't left with a massive bill after a disaster.
Replacement Cost is King
Always select "Replacement Cost" for your personal property. Actual Cash Value (ACV) factors in depreciation, meaning your insurance will only pay you a fraction of what a new TV or couch costs today.
Water Backup Requires a Rider
While a burst pipe in the wall is usually covered, water backing up into your basement through a sump pump or sewer line is NOT covered on a standard policy without adding a specific, cheap endorsement.
High-Value Items Need "Scheduling"
Standard policies cap payouts on jewelry, art, and firearms (usually around $1,500 total). If you have an expensive engagement ring, you must explicitly "schedule" it on the policy to be fully covered.
Homeowners FAQs
Clear answers to protect your sanctuary.
Are floods or earthquakes covered?
No. Standard homeowners insurance completely excludes damage from "earth movement" (earthquakes, sinkholes) and "rising water" (floods, storm surges). If you live in a high-risk zone, you must purchase entirely separate policies (often through FEMA or specialized private carriers) to cover these disasters.
Does my policy cover dog bites?
Usually, yes. The Personal Liability (Coverage E) portion of your policy typically covers medical bills and legal defense if your dog bites someone (even off your property). However, many carriers restrict or exclude coverage for specific "aggressive" breeds (like Pit Bulls or Rottweilers). Always disclose your dog's breed to your agent.
What is the difference between an HO-3 and an HO-5 policy?
An HO-3 is the most common policy. It covers the structure for "open perils" (anything not explicitly excluded) but covers your personal belongings only for "named perils" (a specific list of events). An HO-5 is a premium policy that covers BOTH the structure and your belongings on an "open peril" basis, offering much broader protection for a higher premium.