Home Insurance Coverages
Having home insurance gives you peace of mind knowing your home and belongings are protected against unexpected events like fires or break-ins. When you know you're covered, you can feel confident that if something does happen, you won’t have to shoulder the financial burden alone. With options available to fit your specific needs, you can focus on what truly matters – enjoying your home and your life – without the nagging worry of “what if.”
Standard homeowners insurance coverages
Standard homeowners insurance policies typically include several key coverage options that are essential for protecting your home and belongings.
Dwelling coverage
This covers the structure of your home and encompasses the interior and exterior. If you have a mortgage, your lender will likely require this coverage.
Example: If hail damages your roof, dwelling coverage may help with the repairs.
Other structures coverage
Protection for buildings on your property that aren’t directly attached to your main home, like detached garages and fences. Usually, the limit is around 10% of your total dwelling coverage.
Example: If a windstorm causes a tree to fall on your shed, this coverage helps to repair the damage.
Personal property coverage
Coverage for your belongings like furniture and clothing, if they're stolen, destroyed or otherwise damaged by a covered loss. Personal property coverage usually represents a specific percentage of your dwelling coverage.
Example: Personal property coverage can help replace your laptop if it’s stolen during a break-in.
Loss of use
Loss of use coverage helps with temporary living expenses, such as hotel stays and meals if your home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered loss.
Example: After a fire, if you need to stay in a hotel, this coverage helps pay for your stay.
Liability protection
Financial protection if you’re held legally responsible for injuries to others or damage to their property.
Example: If your dog bites a neighbor, liability coverage may help pay for the injuries, up to the policy limit. This coverage may also provide costs associated with legal fees in relation to the claim.
Medical payments
Medical payments can help provide coverage for injuries occurring to others on your property, regardless of fault.
Example: If a guest accidentally slips and falls in your driveway, this coverage can help pay for their medical expenses.
Additional home insurance coverages
In addition to the standard coverages, homeowners can opt for additional insurance coverages that provide extra layers of protection for their property and assets against specific risks not covered by a basic policy.
Water backup coverage
This coverage helps repair your property if it’s damaged by water from backed-up drains or sump pump failures.
Flood insurance
Typically, flood damage isn’t covered in your homeowners policy, but purchasing flood insurance can help protect your home and belongings.
Scheduled personal property
An add-on for homeowners who own high-value items that standard policies may not fully protect. This type of coverage allows policyholders to list valuable belongings such as jewelry, art collections or antiques separately to ensure they’re adequately insured against loss or accidental damage.
Replacement coverage
With this coverage, your belongings are valued at their current market value rather than their depreciated worth. If your items are stolen or damaged in a covered loss, replacement coverage allows you to replace them without worrying about the gap between what you paid and what they’re worth now. This is beneficial for items that lose value quickly, like electronics and furniture.
Electronics coverage
Optional coverage that specifically protects electronic devices, like laptops, smartphones and tablets, from losses not covered in your policy, such as accidental damage.
Identity theft
Identity theft insurance helps you recover from the financial and personal impacts of having your identity stolen. It covers costs like legal fees, lost wages and expenses related to restoring your identity.
If you want the best home protection, we’ve done the legwork for you. Our Platinum Choice home coverage gives you all the protection of a standard homeowners insurance policy and many of the additional coverages listed above in one convenient package.
Understanding your home insurance policy
Knowing how to read your policy can make a significant difference when it comes to making claims or understanding your coverages and financial responsibilities.
Deductible
The deductible is the amount you'll pay out of pocket before your homeowners insurance coverage begins to cover a claim. Choosing the right deductible requires careful consideration. Opting for a higher deductible typically leads to lower premiums, while a lower deductible means higher premiums but reduces your upfront costs should a loss occur.
Limits
Determining the appropriate limits for your home insurance policy is important in ensuring adequate protection against unexpected events. The coverage limit represents the maximum amount your policy will pay for a covered loss. An accurate assessment of the value of your assets, including the dwelling and personal belongings, can guide you in setting these limits.
Declaration page
Also known as the dec page, it provides a summary of your homeowners policy. It includes information like your name, address and policy period and outlines the types of coverage and limits you have, along with your deductible. Understanding this page gives you a clear picture of your coverage status and informs of any adjustments you might need to better protect your home and financial health.
Related insurance coverages
In addition to understanding the basics of home insurance, you can explore other coverages below:
Find the Right Coverage for You
We’ve put together auto packages to help you choose coverage that best protects what matters most to you. We’ll help you find the right coverage, customize your policy and pair it with the world-class service that sets Amica apart.
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Empathy isn’t just a word – it’s woven into every interaction with our policyholders. Their stories are a testament to the trust and loyalty built over decades of compassionate service and support.
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