Now that you’ve purchased your home you may be asking yourself how to keep it protected? Sure you already installed your home security, but what about damage done by an earthquake, or a house fire? Home owners insurance is one of the best ways to protect your home, and here’s why.
Home owners insurance acts as property insurance that covers any loss or damage to the home including belongings and assets. This insurance also covers any damage done to the residence internally, externally or on the property. Home owners insurance differs from a home warranty.
Similar to home security packages or cable packages, home owners insurance will vary in cost depending on the amount of coverage you are looking for. Bankrate has a great tool that you are able to view average annual premiums by state and how they vary to the National average (below).
As a general rule of thumb, you should account for $35/month for every $100K your home is work. So, if you have purchased a $300K home, your monthly payment will be around $105/month. However, different policies will increase this monthly cost. These policies include,
1. Dwelling Insurance: the foundation of HOI coverage, dwelling insurance covers any damage done to the primary structure of your home, or any ‘attached structures’ (i.e your appliances. or your garage). This also includes damage done by inclement weather, vandalism, natural disaster, etc.
2. Personal Property Insurance/Content Coverage: This covers items inside your home like clothing, furniture, or other material items. Insurance coverage for content that is damaged will likely come as a receipt for the expense of those items.
3. Personal Liability Insurance: This includes damage or harm done to you or your family, or if guests/neighbors are injured on your private property.
Generally speaking, basic home owners insurance plans will cover,
You may notice a few things mission from this list. Specialty HOI insurance will often needed to be added to your policy dependent on where you live & the risks associated. A few examples of this are,
1. Your Mortgage Lender will Require It: Although not a legal requirement, if you have any plans of financing your home, your lender will require proof of home owners insurance prior to distributing your loan.
2. Damage is Expensive: Damage to the exterior or interior of your home is expensive, as is damage to your personal belongings. Have ease of mind with your HOI policy.
3. Legal Protection: Most basic HOI policies will protect you in the event of a lawsuit if someone was injured on your personal property.
