Homeowners insurance

Homeowners insurance is a “package policy”—this means it covers both actual, physical property and legal responsibility for injuries that happen while on that property. There are three common levels of coverage: actual cash value, replacement cost value, and guaranteed/extended replacement cost. Standard policies may have weather exceptions that do not cover flooding, earthquakes, or poor maintenance. 

What Is Homeowners Insurance?

A homeowners insurance policy covers a homeowner for unexpected losses at their home or property. It can include provisions to repair or rebuild the property, replace assets within the home, cover accidents that happen to the homeowner or someone else on the property, or even pay for living expenses if a covered incident forces them to live elsewhere temporarily.

Is Homeowners Insurance Required?

Homeowners insurance is a crucial step in your client’s journey to home ownership. In fact, they may not be able to obtain a mortgage without it. While the mortgage lender may require a borrower to have a home insurance policy as long as they have a mortgage, if their mortgage is paid off, or if they've paid for the home outright, no laws require them to maintain insurance. However, because someone's home and the items inside are likely their largest assets, insurance is one way to protect against a single storm or accident destroying it all. Additionally, lenders may review Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange CLUE reports to assess the insurance claim history of a property.

How Does Homeowners Insurance Work?

There are three basic ways homeowners insurance will reimburse a homeowner in case of a loss:

1. Actual cash value: A homeowner will be paid the cost to fix the dwelling and replace their personal belongings, minus any property wear and tear or aging.
2. Replacement cost value: The insurer will reimburse the money needed to make repairs at today's cost. In some instances, insurers will pay actual cash value, then later reimburse for replacement cost above and beyond that amount when the homeowner provides receipts for purchases.
3. Guaranteed or extended replacement cost: A guaranteed replacement policy means the insurer will pay the actual cost to replace a home at the time of loss, regardless of the amount listed on the policy. An extended replacement insurance policy gives extra coverage up to a percentage amount to replace the property. For example, a home insured for $500,000 that takes $750,000 to rebuild after a loss would be completely covered with a guaranteed replacement policy. But an extended coverage policy at 20% would mean the homeowner is on the hook for $150,000 after the insurer pays 120% ($600,000), or $100,000 above the limit.

What Are Homeowners Insurance Premiums?

A homeowners insurance premium is the sum homeowners pay to keep their policy active. Homeowners may pay the premiums on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis. Buyers with a mortgage often have the premium deducted from their escrow account. Insurance premiums are impacted by several factors, including the credit history (in some states), the age of the house, square footage, condition of the property and location. Comparing insurance policies for coverage and price is always an important first step. Make sure your client knows the particulars of their coverage and what it does and does not cover – for example, home insurance usually does not cover floods and other natural disasters. The home’s location, type, and age of home, as well as the homeowner’s personal history, will determine the cost of their coverage.

 Homeowners insurance guide.