Personal insurance guide
Homeowners insurance, explained
A homeowners policy bundles several coverages: the house itself, other structures like a detached garage, your belongings, extra living costs if you cannot live at home after a covered loss, and personal liability. On the Great Plains, the deductibles for wind and hail deserve as much attention as the limits.
What home commonly covers
Who usually carries it
- Homeowners, and nearly everyone with a mortgage (lenders require it)
- Owners of acreages and rural homes with outbuildings
- Families with high-value items such as jewelry, firearms, or collections
- Homeowners who rent out part of the home or run a small business from it
Commonly covered
- Damage to the house from covered causes such as fire, wind, hail, and lightning (dwelling)
- Detached garages, sheds, and fences (other structures)
- Furniture, clothing, electronics, and other belongings (personal property)
- Hotel, rent, and meals while your home is being repaired (loss of use)
- Injuries to guests and damage you accidentally cause to others (personal liability)
- Small medical bills for injured guests, regardless of fault
Commonly excluded or limited
- Flood from rising water (a separate flood policy is needed)
- Sewer or drain backup, unless an endorsement adds it
- Earthquake and other earth movement
- Wear and tear, mold from long-term leaks, and pests
- Jewelry, firearms, and cash above small built-in limits unless scheduled
- Business property and business activities run from the home
This page is general information about how these policies commonly work. Every policy's own forms, endorsements, and exclusions decide what it covers. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed insurance agent.
Before your renewal
What to check on your own policy
- Dwelling limit compared with what it would cost to rebuild today, not the market value
- Your wind/hail deductible: a flat dollar amount, or a share of the dwelling limit
- Replacement cost or actual cash value, for both the roof and your belongings
- Whether sewer and drain backup coverage is added
- Scheduled items such as jewelry, firearms, and collectibles
- Your mortgage company listed correctly as mortgagee
Not sure what your policy says?
Upload your declarations page. The free AI coverage check lists your coverages, limits, and deductibles in plain language and flags items to discuss with a licensed agent.
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- Step 1You tell us the basicsAbout two minutes: how to reach you, and what you want covered.
- Step 2A licensed agent calls youUsually within one business day, at the time you choose.
- Step 3We review what you haveYour current policies, contracts, and renewal dates, line by line.
- Step 4You get options in writingCoverage and price, explained. Nothing changes unless you decide it should.
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Home questions
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