What to Look for on Your First Homeowners Insurance Policy

What to Look for on Your First Homeowners Insurance Policy

If you are planning to buy your first home, then you have likely considered taking out a mortgage to finance the purchase. When you do, your lender will likely tell you that you are required to buy homeowners insurance.

Since buying your first home is a lot to absorb, the home insurance requirement might seem confusing. This is not an uncommon requirement, however. Still, you might not know exactly what to look for if you haven’t bought coverage before. Consider just a few of the essential things to consider when investing in coverage.

Why Lenders Require Home Insurance

If you take out a mortgage on your home, the money your bank supplies is not yours. It is on loan, and you must repay it over the years (usually with interest).

Your mortgage is your lender’s investment in you. They therefore want to protect that investment because it relates to their own stability. Homeowners insurance is the vessel that helps them do so. It will make sure that you won’t lose out on your investment just because of an unexpected problem in the home.

Coverage to Buy in Your Policy

Any home mishap might prove costly, particularly if you weren’t expecting it. Home insurance makes sure you have financial support as you pick up the pieces and move on with your life. That’s a huge support system when you need it.

Essential coverage that you likely need includes:

• Dwelling insurance which helps you pay for damage to the house itself. So, if a fire, storm, falling tree or other hazard damages the house, then this coverage can repair it. Your lender will likely require you to carry coverage based on the home’s replacement cost value. This might be different from the sticker price you paid for it.
• Other structures insurance is a second benefit that covers buildings on your property that are detached from the home. These might include storage sheds, detached garages, fences and more.
• Liability insurance protects you in case you face legal action from someone who claims you caused them harm. For example, if a neighbor falls on your sidewalk and sues you for their injury costs, then this coverage can help you pay.
• Possessions insurance covers your belongings in your home, and you can buy scheduled items riders to adequately protect high-value belongings.
• Living expenses coverage helps you pay for costs like hotel or dining bills if you must temporarily move out after a hazard at home.

Plus, there are many other benefits you can add to your plan. While you must make sure you meet your lender’s coverage requirements, you still have leeway to increase your benefits to meet your needs. Your insurance agent will be an invaluable partner in this process. You can trust us to make sure you always get benefits that provide you with optimized protection.