Home Insurance

Home insurance protects what is probably the biggest thing you’ll ever buy — your house. It covers damage from fire, storms, theft, and even covers you if someone gets hurt on your property. If you have a mortgage, your lender will likely require it. But even if your home is fully paid off, it’s still worth keeping coverage.

Not every home needs the same policy. If you live in an area prone to floods or wildfires, you may need additional coverage beyond a basic plan. The age of your home, its size, and the cost to rebuild it all affect your policy. It is also important to know exactly what is covered and what is not. For example, flood damage is not included in most standard home insurance policies. Understanding these details can help you avoid unexpected costs when you need to file a claim.

One thing we see again and again is homeowners assuming flood damage is automatically covered — it usually isn’t, and finding that out during a claim is the worst time to learn it.

Below, we break down home insurance costs, coverage types, and things to watch out for based on where you live.