Home insurance is a policy that pays to repair or rebuild your house, replace your belongings, and cover legal liability if someone is injured on your property. If you have a mortgage, your lender requires it - but even if you own your home outright, it protects what is likely your single largest financial asset against fire, wind, theft, and dozens of other perils.
We're not just selling insurance. We're here to make sure you understand your options, feel confident in your coverage, and have someone in your corner when it matters most.
Who needs home insurance?
If you own a home, home insurance is not optional in practice - even if state law does not mandate it for mortgage-free homes. Every region faces real risks: severe thunderstorms with damaging hail, ice storms that can collapse roofs and down trees in winter, and straight-line winds from derecho events that have caused millions in damage across the Midwest and South in recent years. A single uninsured kitchen fire or burst pipe could cost $50,000 or more to repair. In our experience working with homeowners, the question is never whether you need home insurance - it is whether you have enough of it and are paying a fair price. We represent top-rated carriers to make sure both boxes are checked.
What does home insurance cover?
- Your home's structure (dwelling coverage) including attached garage, porch, and built-in appliances
- Other structures on your property - detached garage, shed, fence, in-ground pool
- Personal belongings inside and outside your home - furniture, electronics, clothing, appliances
- Loss of use / additional living expenses if your home is uninhabitable during repairs
- Personal liability if someone is injured on your property or you cause damage to someone else's property
- Medical payments to guests injured on your property regardless of fault (typically $1,000–$5,000)
- Debris removal after a covered loss
- Reasonable repairs to protect your home from further damage after a loss
What home insurance does NOT cover
- Flood damage - requires a separate flood insurance policy, even for heavy rain backup
- Earthquake damage - excluded in standard policies, available as a separate policy or endorsement
- Sewer and drain backup - excluded unless you add a specific endorsement (typically $50–$100/year)
- Normal wear and tear, maintenance issues, and gradual deterioration
- Mold - limited or excluded depending on the carrier; some offer optional mold endorsements
- Damage from termites, rodents, or other pests
- Intentional damage by the homeowner
- Home business equipment and liability beyond very small sub-limits ($2,500 typical)
What does home insurance cost?
Most homeowners pay between $1,200 and $2,400 per year, though homes with older roofs, higher replacement costs, or previous claims can run higher. Your premium depends heavily on your home's replacement cost, roof age and material, distance from a fire hydrant, your deductible choice, and your claims history. A newer roof alone can save 15–25% on premium with many carriers. Because we represent top-rated carriers, we frequently find coverage gaps or overcharges when reviewing policies written by single-carrier agents. Our goal is not just the lowest price - it is the right coverage at a fair price so you are not surprised at claim time.
Frequently asked questions
You need enough dwelling coverage to completely rebuild your home at today's construction costs - not your home's market value or purchase price. Rebuilding costs typically run $150–$250 per square foot depending on finishes and your local market. A 2,000 sq ft home might need $300,000–$500,000 in dwelling coverage. We run a replacement cost estimate for every client using current construction data, because being underinsured by even 20% can trigger a coinsurance penalty that reduces your claim payout.
Replacement cost pays to repair or replace damaged property with new materials of similar quality, with no deduction for depreciation. Actual cash value deducts depreciation - so a 10-year-old roof might only get 40–50% of the cost to replace it. We strongly recommend replacement cost coverage for both your dwelling and personal property. The premium difference is modest, but the claim payout difference can be tens of thousands of dollars.
Standard home insurance includes only a very small sub-limit for business equipment - typically $2,500 - and provides zero business liability coverage. If you run a business from home, see clients at your house, or store inventory on your property, you need either a home business endorsement or a separate business owner's policy. We see this gap frequently and it is one of the first things we check during a policy review.
It depends on the claim type and your carrier, but yes, a claim can increase your premium at renewal - typically 10–30% for 3–5 years. Weather-related claims (hail, wind) tend to have less impact than water damage or liability claims because they affect many policyholders at once. Before filing a small claim, weigh the payout against the potential premium increase. In our experience, claims under $2,000–$3,000 above your deductible are often not worth filing.
Yes, and this is one of the most common coverage gaps we find. If you finish a basement, add a deck, remodel a kitchen, or build an addition, your dwelling coverage limit needs to increase to reflect the higher replacement cost. Notify your agent before major work begins - some carriers offer automatic coverage increases during construction, and a builders risk endorsement may be appropriate for large projects.
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Related coverage to consider
- Auto Insurance - Covers liability for injuries and property damage you cause, plus optional collision, comprehensive, and uninsured motorist protection.
- Flood Insurance - Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage.
- Umbrella Insurance - Adds an extra layer of liability protection above your home and auto policy limits.
- Earthquake Insurance - Standard homeowners insurance excludes earthquake damage.
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Reviewed by
Sheilia Royal, Agency Principal / Licensed Agent
Licensed in KY, IN & TN | 20 years experience | Last reviewed: March 2026