INSURANCE
How To Buy Homeowners Insurance
How To Buy Homeowners Insurance, It is often said that buying a home is the single biggest financial investment most people make. Compared to all of the research, time, and energy that is put into purchasing a home, buying a homeowners insurance policy is too often almost an afterthought. But homeowners insurance deserves more careful consideration because choosing the right policy can prevent financial ruin after a major disaster strikes.
This guide will take you step by step through what you need to know before shopping for a homeowners insurance policy. We'll also help you determine whether you even need homeowners insurance and, if so, how much coverage to purchase. We'll explain what is and isn't covered by a basic policy, what add-ons are available, and what optional coverages you might want to consider. Finally, you'll learn how to choose the best homeowners insurance company and a policy that matches your needs and budget.
What Is Homeowners Insurance?
A home insurance policy provides coverage to repair or replace your home and its contents following damage caused by fire, smoke, water, theft, vandalism, a storm, or some other event named in the policy. These are called “perils.” In addition to covering the structure and outbuildings, standard policies typically cover the repair or replacement of heating and cooling systems and their components, such as a furnace or water heater, if they are damaged by a covered event.
Homeowners insurance also covers personal property stored in your home that's damaged, stolen, or destroyed. Finally, homeowners insurance pays for medical and legal expenses if someone other than you or your family is injured on your property.
Steps in Purchasing Homeowners Insurance
Purchasing home insurance doesn't have to be a daunting task. For the most part, it comes down to deciding how much coverage you need based on the value of your home and possessions. Then it's time to shop for the company and policy that meet those needs at a price you can afford.
In summary, when purchasing homeowners insurance, take the following steps:
- Decide what you want to cover.
- Determine how much homeowners insurance you need.
- Choose an insurance company.
- Choose a policy
Do I Need Homeowners Insurance?
If you own a home, you probably need homeowners insurance. In fact, if you plan to finance your home, the bank or mortgage lender will most likely require it. That's because your lender will want to protect their investment in the event of a flood, fire, hurricane, or other catastrophic events. You don't technically need homeowners insurance if you paid cash for your home or have paid off your mortgage, but it's still a good idea to avoid getting in financial trouble if something happens to your home or possessions.
The same applies if you purchase a co-op, a condominium, or a mobile home. If you borrow money to make the purchase, your lender will likely require a policy no matter what type of home it is. Condominium or private community associations may also require homeowners insurance to cover common property and facilities, such as a shared roof, common walls, a tennis court, or a swimming pool.
Homeowners insurance is an excellent idea even if your mortgage is paid off, you paid cash, or you inherited your property without a mortgage. Most homeowners don't have the funds available to rebuild or make substantial repairs if their home is heavily damaged or destroyed. A homeowners policy costs a lot less than rebuilding out of pocket. Most standard policies also include coverage to help replace your furniture, clothing, and other possessions after a fire, storm, or other catastrophic circumstance.
Where to Buy Homeowners Insurance
Insurance company websites can help you get started when shopping for homeowners insurance, and most describe what is and isn't covered and what options are available. Many also have estimating tools that give you an idea of what your cost will be once you enter basic information about your home and its contents.
However, it may not always be easy to find all the coverage specifics you're looking for on your own. This complexity is one reason to consider working with a licensed insurance agent in your area who can help you tailor a policy to your needs. Dedicated agents work exclusively with one company, while independent agents can obtain quotes from numerous companies. Either way, a good agent can be a significant asset, especially if you're a first-time buyer.
“It's a good idea to get professional assistance to guide you through the process,” says Doug Ommen, insurance commissioner for the Iowa Insurance Division. But he also urges consumers to do their own research when looking for an agent and an insurance company.
State insurance agency websites are a good place to look for recommendations, reviews, and complaints. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners website is also a useful resource.
Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Homeowners Insurance
Although it might be tempting to get a bare-bones policy to save money on premiums, this could come back to haunt you later. “Probably the biggest mistake that people make when buying homeowners insurance is to focus on price rather than coverage or quality,” says Professor Jay Feinman, an insurance expert with Rutgers University Law School. “You need to understand the type of insurance you're buying, what is covered, and what is not.”
To avoid unpleasant surprises, buy a policy sufficient to replace or rebuild your home and any outbuildings such as a garage, pool, or fence, as well as your home's contents. That includes heating and cooling systems, furniture, clothing, and your other possessions. “Two-thirds of American homes are significantly underinsured,” Feinman says. “Try to get an accurate idea of what the actual costs would be to rebuild.” He noted that those costs can be higher in the wake of a major event. “When many people need to rebuild at once, costs go up dramatically,” he says.
It's also important to read your policy carefully and understand exactly what is and is not covered. If coverage for something you're concerned about isn't specifically mentioned, such as damage from a falling tree, ask for a written statement clarifying the issue.
Last, but not least, periodically review your policy to continue to get the best rates. Home insurance companies tend to tack on rate increases each year for various reasons, such as inflation, increases in the value of your home, and other factors. They're usually small enough adjustments that you don't notice them but they can add up over time. Another insurance company may have an incentive to offer you a lower premium price to win your business.
You can also ask the company you're currently with if they have a loyalty discount. Some companies will lower your premiums a certain percentage depending upon how long you stay with them.
How Much Does Homeowners Insurance Cost?
Home insurance costs can vary greatly depending on a variety of factors, including the age, size, and location of your home, and the likelihood of a major weather event in your area. Premiums average $100-$170 per month for the companies we rated.
“Where you live and the natural disasters afflicting that area are a big factor,” says Lynne McChristian, communications consultant at the Insurance Information Institute. In particular, living in an area prone to floods can make home insurance quite expensive. Homeowners insurance is also likely to cost more in areas with higher crime rates, higher rebuilding costs, or stricter building codes. And a home in an area with a volunteer fire department located miles away may cost more to insure than one with a nearby fire station staffed by professionals.
Other things that may affect homeowners insurance premiums include the age and condition of the roof, furnace, and other major home components. Security systems and fire alarms can lower premiums. The need for additional coverage to cover very valuable possessions can add to the cost of a standard premium. Finally, your monthly insurance premiums will probably be affected by the size of your deductible, or the amount you pay out of pocket if you file a claim. Generally, the higher the deductible, the lower your premiums will be.
Even if you already have homeowners insurance, it's still a good idea to review your coverages and costs annually. Coverage needs change over time as the real estate market fluctuates and you make additional purchases. In addition, home insurance is a competitive business, and comparing rates every year could save you money even if you're generally happy with your current insurer.
Comparing some of the common discounts across top companies
| COMPANY | MULTI-PRODUCT DISCOUNTS (BUNDLES) | LOYALTY DISCOUNTS | PROTECTIVE DEVICES DISCOUNTS | CLAIM-FREE DISCOUNTS | NEW HOME CREDIT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lemonade | ||||||
| USAA | ||||||
| Amica | ||||||
| Allstate | ||||||
| State Farm |
What Are the Best Homeowners Insurance Companies
Choosing the best homeowners insurance company for you can seem like a daunting task, but we're here to help with our Best Homeowners Insurance Companies of 2021 list. Based on extensive research and an exclusive methodology, we've determined that these are the top homeowners insurance companies in the U.S.
#1 Lemonade
#2 USAA
#3 Amica
#4 Allstate
#4 State Farm
#6 Nationwide
#6 American Family
#8 Erie Insurance
#9 Liberty Mutual
#10 Chubb
#10 Progressive
#10 Farmers Insurance
Purchasing Homeowners Insurance
To buy a homeowners insurance policy, whether you're a first-time homeowner or have owned a home for years, you need to decide what you want to cover, determine how much insurance you need, and choose an insurance company and policy. Read on to learn more about each step.
Decide What You Want to Cover
Standard homeowners insurance coverage may not be sufficient to repair or replace your home and possessions. That's especially true if rebuilding costs are higher than average in your area or you have particularly expensive clothing, kitchen appliances, or other items. If one of these circumstances applies to you, consider purchasing additional coverage, as most policies are customizable to meet individual needs. For example, a standard homeowners insurance policy may not include things like valuable jewelry, artwork, or collectibles. Other items like a swimming pool that pose a safety and liability risk might also require additional coverage.
In addition, standard home insurance policies typically don't include flood insurance. Depending on where you live, flood insurance may not even be available through all insurers. If your homeowners insurance company doesn't offer flood insurance, you may be eligible for coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program, administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. NFIP policies are offered through independent agents nationwide. Costs and requirements can vary widely, depending on the risk factors where you live. FEMA's website includes an interactive flood map that can help you determine the risk in your area.
Determine How Much Homeowners Insurance You Need
To determine how much coverage you need, calculate the replacement cost for your home and any outbuildings, or structures such as a garage, pool, or fence. You'll also want to inventory and appraise your furniture, clothing, and possessions.
Don't forget to include outdoor furniture and equipment such as a barbecue grill, along with collectibles, musical instruments, and hobby or sporting equipment. And remember anything tucked out of sight, such as linens and silverware, as well as items stored in the attic or the garage.
The project isn't as daunting as it might seem, and a licensed insurance agent can help walk you through it. You can also find a lot of information about making an inventory and a host of other homeowners insurance-related subjects on the websites of the organizations like the Insurance Information Institute.
To get a rough idea of the replacement cost for your home, multiply the square footage by the local building costs per square foot in your area. For example, if your home is 2,200 square feet and local building costs average $80 per square foot, the cost to rebuild your home would be about $176,000. A local insurance agent, real estate agent, or appraiser can probably help determine local building costs.
When taking your inventory, remember that the more detail you provide, the better. The Insurance Information Institute says it's a good idea to note when and where you purchased expensive items, because the better your documentation, the easier it will be to estimate replacement cost and file a claim. Consider walking through each room in your home with a video camera to document what you own, and remember to update your inventory periodically. There are also apps you can download that will walk you through the process and remotely store your inventory.
Finally, factor in replacement costs, not what you actually paid for a piece of clothing or a washing machine. Replacement costs can change quickly due to inflation and other factors, and even a 2-year-old appliance might cost considerably more to replace today than what you paid for it.
Choose a Homeowners Insurance Company
When choosing a homeowners insurance company, look for one that:
- provides coverage in your area
- has competitive rates and good discounts
- has a good financial strength rating
- has good reviews from professional sources and customers
- offers 24/7 assistance through its website, live operators, or a local agent.
Choosing the right homeowners insurance company is a matter of selecting one with the coverage you need at a price you can afford, good customer service, and a sound financial footing.
Not all homeowners insurance companies provide coverage in all areas, so check this first to narrow down your choices. Also, some may not offer the standard or specialized coverage you want or need, such as hurricane insurance in a coastal area or additional coverage for collectibles or valuables.
In addition to comparing rates, look for what discounts particular insurance companies offer. Many provide discounts for bundling a homeowners insurance policy with automobile insuranceor another policy. Others offer discounts for new customers, first-time home buyers, or homes with a security system, smoke detectors, a sprinkler system, or hurricane shutters.
You can compare rates from different companies by using the estimating tools offered by many homeowners insurance providers on their websites. By keying in some basic information about your home and its contents, you can get an idea of rates from different companies in a matter of minutes.
Financial strength ratings, provided by AM Best and other companies, can give you a good idea of how financially healthy a particular insurance company is. This is important because you'll want that company to still be in business and able to pay claims should something happen to your home months or years down the road.
Finally, professional ratings and reviews like the U.S. News Best Homeowners Insurance Companies of 2021 are invaluable for selecting a quality insurance company. Customer reviews can indicate how responsive a company's customer service representatives are in processing claims and responding to questions and complaints.
Choose a Homeowners Insurance Policy
Choosing the right homeowners insurance policy requires making sure you have sufficient coverage to replace your home and its contents in the wake of a catastrophic event. Reading through and understanding a policy can be challenging, which is another good reason to consult a professional. “We encourage insurance companies to use plain language, but a lot of policies are dense,” Ommen says.
Assuming you've calculated the cost to rebuild your home and inventoried its contents, you already know the amount of coverage you need. Then it becomes a question of shopping around for quotes from reputable homeowners insurance providers that offer the right amount of coverage in your area.
Take advantage of available discounts, such as bundling your homeowners insurance policy with auto insurance. Be sure to purchase sufficient coverage for any collectibles or jewelry, and consider additional protection for higher-risk items such as a swimming pool.
As simple as that sounds, many homeowners either don't spend enough time doing their homework or buy insufficient coverage for their needs. “Many consumers wait until after a catastrophic event to read their policy,” Ommen says. “If you wait until your basement is full of water, it is too late.”
Finally, every expert we spoke with agreed that buyers should look for a replacement-cost policy rather than a cash value policy. Replacement cost policies cost more, but they will pay for the actual cost to rebuild your home and replace its contents. By contrast, a cash-value policy will merely reimburse you for the current market value. Depending on building costs, changes to zoning regulations since your home was built, inflation, and other considerations, a cash-value policy could leave you short.
“We recommend replacement coverage,” Ommen says. “The cost of reconstructing a home can increase significantly over time due to inflationary factors.” McChristian agrees. “With replacement cost, you may pay 10%-15% more for coverage, yet you get much more when you file a claim,” she says. How To Buy Homeowners Insurance
