FOR HOMEOWNERS

Houston Community Land Trust Homeowner Resources

Homeowners Insurance 101:

Safeguarding your home, likely your biggest investment, requires financial protection. Before getting new homeowners insurance or revising your current policy, here's what you need to know.

The Basics

Homeowners insurance, sometimes called hazard insurance, provides financial protection in case your home is damaged. This coverage extends to the building, its contents, and other structures on your property. To assess the right coverage and facilitate future claims, start by understanding your belongings so you can determine how much coverage you need. It will make things easier if you need to file a claim.

Utilize the Home Inventory Worksheet for cataloging. Update it with new purchases and remember items stored off-site may also be covered.

What’s Covered: The Perils

In general, homeowners insurance policies* will cover 10 basic threats, or “perils,” to your home:

1. Fire or Lightning
2. Hail & Windstorms
3. Explosions
4. Riots & Civil Commotion
5. Damage from Aircraft

6. Damage from Vehicles
7. Smoke
8. Theft
9. Vandalism
10. Volcanic Eruption

To help you narrow down which homeowners policy you will need for your home, we’ve listed some of the features of two common homeowners insurance policies. Be sure to consult your insurance agent for more details.

Broad Form

This policy will cover the home itself as well as other structures on the property, such as a detached garage or even fencing, but only from the 10 “named perils” listed in your insurance policy. This coverage also provides homeowners with personal liability coverage, which means if someone is injured on your property and then sues you, your insurance company will pay a settlement if you lose the suit, and may also defend you in court.

Special Form

The primary homeowners' insurance for single-family, owner-occupied homes is HO3, widely used. It covers your home and attached structures against all perils except those explicitly excluded, such as floods, earthquakes, etc. Your possessions are protected from the 10 named perils, and liability coverage is included. Because an HO3 doesn’t limit coverage only to named perils, it often can provide more financial protection than an HO2.

What’s Not Covered By Homeowners Insurance?

FLOOD

EARTHQUAKE

INFESTATIONS

WAR

NUCLEAR ACCIDENTS

MOLD

SEWER BACKUP

CERTAIN HIGH-PRICED OR LUXURY ITEMS

Levels of Coverage:

Levels of coverage you can choose from for your homeowners insurance policy.

Cash Value

Covers the market value of the home, possessions, and other structures on the property, minus depreciation.

Replacement Cost

What’s Covered: The Perils

Covers the cost of rebuilding and lost possessions and will pay up to a certain percentage over the policy cost. For example, if you have a $100,000 policy, you may be covered up to $125,000. This type of policy provides the most coverage and is the most expensive.

Covers the cost of rebuilding the home with similar materials and replacing possessions, with no depreciation consideration. It’s recommended to insure your home for at least 80% of its replacement value.

Note:

Full replacement cost policies may not be available for some older homes, as actual replacement or rebuilding of your dwelling is generally not possible. And mobile homes, condos, and historic homes have policies designated specifically for those types of homes.

Homeowners Insurance and Your Mortgage

Mortgage lenders need homeowners insurance. Once you apply for a home loan, start shopping for coverage. Your insurer will inform your lender about your policy. During closing, prove your homeowners' insurance, as your home secures the loan against defaults.

Updating Your Policy

Check your insurance annually. Life changes, upgrades, and milestones like marriage or renovations impact your coverage needs. Ask yourself what’s changed: Did you acquire valuable items or alter your home? Do more or fewer people live here than when I took out my original policy? Have I renovated or significantly remodeled my home? If yes, contact your insurance agent for a meeting.

Nobody wants to think about something unfortunate happening to their home, but the reality is that you need to be prepared. Homeowners insurance offers that protection. Contact us if you need a recommendation to a local insurance agent.