Home insurance guides
Practical, jargon-free articles to help you understand homeowners insurance and make confident decisions.
Coverage
How much homeowners insurance do I need?
A practical framework for choosing dwelling, personal property, and liability limits that fit your home.
Read guide →Basics
What does homeowners insurance actually cover?
Dwelling, other structures, personal property, liability, and loss of use — explained in plain English.
Read guide →Saving Money
7 ways to lower your home insurance premium
Discounts, deductibles, bundling, and home upgrades that can meaningfully reduce your premium.
Read guide →Coverage
Do I need flood insurance?
Standard homeowners policies don't cover flood. Here's how to decide if you need it.
Read guide →Basics
Home insurance vs. home warranty
Two very different products. Here's the difference and when you might want each.
Read guide →Coverage
Does homeowners insurance cover roof damage?
A standard HO-3 policy covers roof damage from sudden, accidental perils like wind, hail, fire, and falling trees, but not wear, age, or neglect, and how much it pays can hinge on your roof's age.
Read guide →Coverage
Does homeowners insurance cover water damage?
Sudden internal leaks like a burst pipe are usually covered, but flood, sewer backup, and slow leaks are handled very differently. Here's the line between the two.
Read guide →Coverage
Does homeowners insurance cover wind and hail damage?
Wind and hail are covered perils on a standard HO-3 policy, but coastal areas often carry a separate percentage deductible, and hail roof claims may be paid at actual cash value.
Read guide →Coverage
Does homeowners insurance cover fire and wildfire damage?
Fire, wildfire, and smoke are core covered perils on a standard HO-3 policy. The harder problem in high-risk areas is finding a policy at all.
Read guide →Coverage
Does homeowners insurance cover a fallen tree?
A fallen tree is usually covered when a storm topples it onto your house, garage, or fence — but a healthy tree that hits nothing, and damage from a neglected dead tree, often are not.
Read guide →Coverage
Does homeowners insurance cover mold?
Mold is usually covered only when it grows from a sudden, covered water loss like a burst pipe, and even then most policies cap the payout. Here is how to tell when you're protected.
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