Home Insurance

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What are you insuring?

How we think about home insurance

It's not about coverage amounts. It's about coverage that fits.

Home insurance is misunderstood as a single product. It's actually six distinct coverages bundled together: dwelling, other structures, personal property, loss of use, liability, and medical payments. Each does something different. Each can be over- or under-insured.

And what's NOT covered is just as important. Standard homeowners policies exclude flood, earthquake, and (in coastal areas) often hurricane wind. The most expensive surprises after a claim come from finding out something wasn't covered.

Our work: explain each coverage, help you size it correctly, find the discounts most homeowners miss, and break down the decisions that matter most — what to file, what not to file, when to add flood, when to schedule jewelry.

20-40%
Underinsured
How much most homeowners are vs. current rebuild costs
10-25%
Bundle discount
Single largest home insurance discount available
1 in 4
Flood claims
Come from outside designated high-risk zones
$2,500+
Wind mitigation savings
Annual for coastal homes with proper hardening

Home insurance by state

State-specific rules and rates

Home insurance is regulated state by state. Rates, requirements, and available carriers vary dramatically. We've broken down the 10 largest markets.

All state guides

Common misconceptions

What most people get wrong

01

Myth Home insurance covers everything that happens at my house.

Reality Standard policies exclude flood, earthquake, wear and tear, pests, and (often) hurricane wind in coastal areas. Knowing the gaps is half the work.

02

Myth My dwelling coverage should equal my market value.

Reality It should equal replacement cost — what it would take to rebuild. Market value includes land, which doesn't need rebuilding. Replacement cost is often higher than purchase price.

03

Myth I should file a claim for every loss.

Reality Small losses near your deductible often cost more in rate increases over 3-5 years than they pay out. For losses under 2x your deductible, paying out of pocket is often the better math.

04

Myth My homeowners covers my engagement ring.

Reality Only up to a sublimit — typically $1,500-$2,500. Higher-value items need a scheduled rider with documented appraisals. Without it, a stolen $8,000 ring pays out the $1,500 sublimit.

Frequently asked

Home insurance, demystified

Is home insurance required by law?

No, but your mortgage lender requires it. If you own outright, it's optional — though going without means you bear the full cost of any damage or loss yourself.

Does home insurance cover flood damage?

No. Standard policies exclude flood entirely. You need a separate NFIP or private flood policy. About 25% of flood claims come from properties outside designated high-risk zones.

What's the difference between replacement cost and actual cash value?

Replacement cost pays to replace your damaged property with new equivalents. Actual cash value depreciates older items — your 8-year-old TV pays out at $80 instead of $400. Always choose replacement cost coverage if available; typically only $30-$80 more per year.

How often should I shop for home insurance?

Annually at renewal. Get quotes from 3-5 carriers. Premium spreads of 25-40% on identical coverage are common, especially in challenging markets like coastal Florida or wildfire-zone California.

What's a wind mitigation inspection?

An inspection (typically $75-$150) in coastal states that documents your home's hurricane-resistance features. Can produce 20-50% premium reductions in hurricane-exposed markets. The single best ROI inspection in coastal home insurance.

When should I add a flood policy?

If you're anywhere in a coastal county, near a river or stream, in a low-lying urban area, or anywhere with poor drainage. About 25% of NFIP flood claims come from properties outside designated flood zones.

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