submitted by Jeff Sawyer, Agent, State Farm Insurance, www.insurancemorrisville.com
A home is the single biggest investment most individuals will ever make. It is typically the largest asset on the family “balance sheet.”
Also, the contents of a typical home, in the form of furniture, appliances, clothing, family heirlooms and other movable personal belongings, represent a substantial additional investment. The unprotected loss (or partial loss) of a home and its contents to theft, fire, windstorm or some other disaster, could be financially devastating.
Further, everyone faces the risk of personal liability. For example, a visitor to the residence could slip and fall.
Such accidents can result in court decisions awarding large sums to the injured party for medical expenses and pain and suffering.
Homeowners insurance coverage
Originally, a standard homeowners policy covered only the risk of fire. Today’s homeowners policies provide protection against a number of the perils of modern life, in one “package” policy.
A typical homeowners policy can provide insurance protection for the following:
- Home: The physical dwelling structure and other structures attached to it.
- Other structures: For example, a detached garage, pool house, guesthouse, green house or tool shed on the residence property.
- Personal property: This covers the contents of the home, such as furniture, appliances or clothing. Certain types of property may have specific dollar limits.
- Loss of use or additional living expense: If a home is damaged by a covered peril, loss-of-use coverage helps meet the costs of hotel bills, apartment or rental home, eating out and other living expenses if the home is uninhabitable from a covered loss. This policy section may also reimburse a homeowner for lost income if a room in the home were rented out. This is sometimes insured on an actual-loss-sustained basis.
- Personal liability: Provides protection against legal liability for bodily injury or property damage if a third party is accidentally injured or their property is damaged.
- Medical payments: Also known as guest-medical payments, this section provides limited coverage if a third party is accidentally injured and needs medical treatment.
PHOTO CAP: Jeff Sawyer, Agent, State Farm Insurance