A Video Explaining How to Read Your Homeowners Insurance Policy

How to Read Your Homeowners Insurance PolicyShow more

Your home is likely your most valuable asset, and a homeowners insurance policy is an important part of protecting your home and your belongings. If you have a mortgage on your home, your lender probably required you to get an insurance policy that will protect the lender’s interest. Because it provides such broad coverage including both property, liability and workers’ compensation coverage for household employees, most homeowners will obtain a homeowners policy if they expect to occupy the property. Even without a mortgage, homeowners insurance is still your best bet to protect your investment in the home and your exposure to liability.

But do you even know what’s in your policy? Would you know your coverage in the event of an emergency? Are you underinsured? Are you overinsured?

About two-thirds of American homes are underinsured according to estimates by Nationwide Insurance. Some dwellings are underinsured by up to 60 percent. And, CoreLogic, an insurance research firm, says three out of five American homes are underinsured by an average of 20 percent. The homeowner should not wait until it becomes necessary to file a claim to find out whether the homeowner is insured up to the actual cash value of the home or its full replacement cost. If the homeowner, before a loss, determines he or she is underinsured and responsible for paying a lot of money out-of-pocket, the homeowner will contact the insurance agent or broker who obtained the policy on behalf of the insured, to increase the limits to an appropriate amount.

Despite how important it is, many insureds do not take the time to properly review the homeowners policy. To make certain that a homeowners policy provides the coverage needed it is necessary that the homeowner understand the basics of homeowners insurance.

The basic job of a homeowners policy is to indemnify the insured if the home or its personal property from certain perils, such as wind, hail, fire damage and theft. It also offers liability protection, which protects the insured’s assets from liability claims, medical expenses and other damages if people are injured on the insured’s property or as a result of the insured’s conduct.