Homeowners insurance protects your home, belongings, and liability if someone is injured on your property. It's required by most mortgage lenders and is essential for protecting your largest asset.
What Homeowners Insurance Covers
Dwelling Coverage: Repairs or rebuilds your home's structure after covered damage (fire, wind, hail, lightning).
Personal Property: Replaces belongings like furniture, electronics, and clothing if damaged or stolen.
Liability Protection: Covers legal expenses and damages if someone is injured on your property.
Additional Living Expenses (ALE): Pays for temporary housing and extra costs if your home is uninhabitable after a covered event.
What It Doesn't Cover
- Flood damage (requires separate flood insurance)
- Earthquake damage (requires separate policy or endorsement)
- Normal wear and tear or maintenance issues
- Pest damage (termites, rodents)
- Sewer backup (unless added as an endorsement)
How Much Coverage Do You Need?
Your dwelling coverage should equal the cost to rebuild your home — not its market value. Personal property coverage is typically 50-70% of dwelling coverage. Consider a home inventory to document belongings.
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Written by the Ensureing Team
Updated March 2026 · 3 min read
