Homeowners Insurance
Your largest asset deserves more than a one-size-fits-all policy.
What is homeowners insurance?
For most families, the home is the single largest asset they'll ever own — and homeowners insurance is the financial backstop that makes recovering from a fire, storm, or lawsuit possible. A good policy rebuilds your house, replaces what's inside it, pays for somewhere to live in the meantime, and defends you if someone is injured on your property.
The most common — and most expensive — mistake in homeowners insurance is being underinsured on dwelling coverage. Construction costs have risen sharply, and a policy that hasn't been reviewed in years may not cover the actual cost to rebuild. We calculate replacement cost properly and compare quotes from multiple carriers to find the right structure at the right price.
What it covers
- Rebuilding or repairing your home after fire, wind, hail, lightning, and other covered perils
- Detached structures: garages, fences, sheds, and pools
- Personal belongings — furniture, electronics, clothing — at home and worldwide
- Additional living expenses (hotel, rent, meals) while your home is uninhabitable
- Personal liability if someone is injured on your property or you damage someone else's property
- Medical payments for guests injured at your home, regardless of fault
What it doesn't cover
- Flood damage — requires a separate flood policy (we can quote it)
- Earthquake damage — requires a separate policy or endorsement
- Gradual problems: wear and tear, mold from long-term leaks, pest damage
- High-value items above sublimits (jewelry, art, collectibles) without scheduling them
Coverage components explained
1Dwelling (Coverage A)
Pays to rebuild your home's structure at today's construction costs. This number should be based on replacement cost — what it costs to rebuild — not your market value or mortgage balance. We recommend extended or guaranteed replacement cost endorsements where available.
2Other Structures (Coverage B)
Covers detached garages, fences, sheds, and similar structures, typically at 10% of your dwelling limit.
3Personal Property (Coverage C)
Replaces your belongings after a covered loss, typically 50–70% of the dwelling limit. Ask for replacement-cost (not actual-cash-value) settlement so depreciation doesn't gut your claim payment.
4Loss of Use (Coverage D)
Pays additional living expenses — hotel, temporary rent, increased food costs — while your home is being repaired after a covered loss.
5Personal Liability (Coverage E)
Protects you if someone sues you for injury or property damage — a guest's fall, a dog bite, your child's errant baseball. Includes legal defense costs. We typically recommend $300,000–$500,000, paired with an umbrella for larger asset bases.
6Medical Payments (Coverage F)
Pays smaller medical bills for guests injured on your property without anyone needing to prove fault — often the difference between a quick resolution and a lawsuit.
When you need homeowners coverage
- You own a home — mortgage lenders require it, and going without it puts everything at risk
- You've renovated, added square footage, or finished a basement since your last policy review
- Construction costs in your area have risen since your dwelling limit was last calculated
- You own a dog, a pool, or a trampoline — liability exposures worth reviewing
- You run a small business or daycare from home (needs an endorsement or separate policy)
Frequently asked questions
How much dwelling coverage do I need?
Enough to completely rebuild your home at current construction costs — which is different from your home's market value or purchase price. We run a replacement-cost estimate using your home's square footage, construction type, and local building costs, and we review it at every renewal so rising costs don't quietly leave you underinsured.
Is flood damage covered?
No — standard homeowners policies exclude flood, and over 20% of flood claims come from properties outside high-risk zones. We can quote flood coverage through the NFIP or private flood markets, often for less than homeowners expect.
What's the difference between replacement cost and actual cash value?
Replacement cost pays what it costs to buy a new equivalent item today. Actual cash value subtracts depreciation — so a 7-year-old roof or TV gets paid out at a fraction of its replacement price. We quote replacement-cost coverage wherever possible; the premium difference is usually small relative to the claim-time difference.
Will filing a small claim raise my rates?
It can — claims history follows you between carriers for several years. For losses close to your deductible, paying out of pocket often makes financial sense. Call us before you file; we'll help you think it through with no pressure either way.
Are my jewelry and collectibles fully covered?
Only up to small sublimits — often $1,500 for jewelry theft. Engagement rings, watches, art, instruments, and collections should be 'scheduled' (individually listed) for full value, which also typically removes the deductible and adds coverage for accidental loss.
Let's find the right homeowners coverage for you
Answer a few questions and a licensed advisor will compare quotes across our carrier lineup — usually back to you within one business day.