What it covers
A homeowners policy protects the building, what is inside it, and you, if someone is hurt on your property. In Florida the wind and water parts deserve a slower read.
Dwelling
Rebuilds the house itself after a covered loss: fire, wind, a burst pipe. The limit should track what it costs to rebuild, not what you paid.
Other structures
Fence, shed, detached garage, pool cage. Usually a percentage of the dwelling limit.
Personal property
Your things: furniture, clothes, electronics. High-value items like jewelry often have a sub-limit; see Jewelry & valuables for scheduling them.
Loss of use
Somewhere to live and the extra costs while your home is being repaired.
Personal liability
If someone is injured on your property or you damage someone else’s, this is what answers. Also the layer an umbrella policy sits on top of.
Medical payments to others
Small medical bills for a guest, paid without anyone having to be at fault.
One good first question
“If the house had to be rebuilt from the slab today, would the dwelling limit actually cover it?”
Bring this one to Elona and the rest of the conversation gets easier.
What Elona looks at
- Your current declarations page, which tells us your rebuild value, deductibles and any wind mitigation credits already on file.
- Wind or hurricane deductibles, which in Florida are often a percentage of the dwelling limit rather than a flat amount [confirm].
- Whether you need flood insurance: it is not in a home policy, and in Florida that matters. See Flood.
- The age and shape of the roof, and whether a wind mitigation inspection would lower the premium [confirm].