Homeowners Insurance

Homeowners insurance is a form of property insurance that provides financial protection for your home and belongings. A standard homeowners policy typically includes:

Dwelling Coverage: Protects the physical structure of your home, including walls, roof, and attached structures like garages, against covered perils such as fire, windstorm, hail, and vandalism.

Personal Property Coverage: Covers your belongings (furniture, electronics, clothing) if they're damaged, destroyed, or stolen. Most policies cover items both inside and outside your home.

Liability Protection: Provides coverage if someone is injured on your property or if you accidentally cause damage to someone else's property. This includes legal defense costs and settlements.

Additional Living Expenses (ALE): Pays for temporary housing and increased living costs if your home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered loss.

Medical Payments: Covers minor medical expenses for guests injured on your property, regardless of fault.

Standard homeowners policies (HO-3) provide "open peril" coverage for your dwelling, meaning all risks are covered except those specifically excluded. Personal property is typically covered on a "named peril" basis.

Common exclusions from standard homeowners insurance include flood damage, earthquake damage, and normal wear and tear. High-risk properties may require specialized coverage through surplus lines carriers or state FAIR Plans.