For those who are thinking of buying a home, homeowners insurance is often on the list of must-haves once you get settled with your purchase. In buying homeowners insurance, you’re ensuring that your new, pricey purchase is covered in case of any damages. This also extends to the items within your home, and depending on the coverage you get, will determine how much you have to pay each month and what exactly is covered within your home. Although it isn’t required by law that you have homeowners insurance, if you have a mortgage, most lenders would require that you get it or at the very least will prefer that you have it.
Through homeowners insurance, you will get the following:
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The opportunity to repair your house, yard and other structures like a porch or fence.
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Repair or replace your personal belongings if they are damaged due to something covered in your policy, such as wind or a storm.
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Cover personal liability if you are held responsible in a legal sense for damage or injury to someone else, such as someone slipping on ice on your property or falling into your pool because it was unfenced.
According to Nerd Wallet, here are the different types of homeowners insurance coverage and what you will have covered under these options:
|
Coverage type |
What does it do? |
Typical amount that’s covered |
|---|---|---|
|
Dwelling |
Covers damage to the home and attached structures, such as a porch in the front or back of your yard. |
Enough to rebuild your home |
|
Other structures |
Covers standalone structures on your property, such as a fence surrounding your yard or a shed. |
10% of the dwelling’s coverage |
|
Personal property |
Pays to repair or replace belongings that are stolen or damaged in a covered event (see previously posted article that outlines covered damages). |
50% to 70% of your dwelling’s coverage |
|
Additional living expenses |
Helps pay temporary living expenses while your home is being repaired. For instance, some people will stay in a hotel or motel while their house is prepared if it’s unliveable. |
20% of the dwelling’s coverage |
|
Liability |
Pays if you injure someone or cause property damage unintentionally or through neglect. For instance, if someone trips on a broken step or if someone slips on ice in the wintertime. |
$100,000 to $500,000 |
|
Medical payments |
Pays to treat someone injured on your property, regardless of who’s at fault. Also pays if you, a family member or a pet injures someone elsewhere. |
$1,000 to $5,000 |