A complete guide to renters insurance: the three main coverages, how personal property and liability limits work, replacement cost versus actual cash value, common exclusions such as floods and earthquakes, how premiums are set, how to choose limits and a deductible, roommates and landlord requirements, and how to file a claim. Continue reading Renters Insurance Guide: What It Covers, What It Costs, What It Excludes and How to Buy the Right Policy

A guide to Florida's two most common home insurance inspections: the 4-point inspection insurers request for older homes covering roof, electrical, plumbing and HVAC, and the wind mitigation inspection on the state's Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form (OIR-B1-1802) that can earn premium discounts, plus who can perform them, how long they last, Florida roof age rules and the My Safe Florida Home program. Continue reading Florida 4-Point and Wind Mitigation Inspections Explained: What Insurers Check and How Discounts Work

Does homeowners insurance cover solar panels? How the standard HO-3 treats roof-mounted panels as part of the dwelling and ground-mounted arrays as other structures, covered perils such as hail, wind, fire and falling trees, exclusions for wear and defects, leased systems and power purchase agreements, batteries and inverters, roof replacement with panels, raising your limits and how to file a solar panel claim. Continue reading Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Solar Panels? Roof-Mounted, Ground-Mounted and Leased Systems

Does homeowners insurance cover slab leaks? How the standard HO-3 handles a pipe leak under a concrete slab foundation, the tear-out and access coverage, why the pipe repair itself and long-running seepage are often not covered, slab leak endorsements, warning signs, repair methods such as rerouting and direct access, mold and foundation concerns and how to file a slab leak claim. Continue reading Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Slab Leaks? Tear-Out Costs, Pipe Repairs and Gradual Leak Exclusions

How insurance works when you build a new home: builder's risk policies and who buys them, why a standard homeowners policy limits theft and vandalism during construction, when to switch to homeowners coverage, how to set the dwelling limit for a new build, builder warranties versus insurance, new home discounts and what to check before closing on a new construction home. Continue reading Homeowners Insurance for New Construction: Builder’s Risk, When Coverage Starts and What Changes at Move-In

Home warranty vs homeowners insurance: how a home warranty service contract differs from an insurance policy, what each covers, typical exclusions, service fees and coverage caps, how claims work, who regulates home warranties in states such as Florida, California and Texas, when a home warranty may be worth considering and how both fit with equipment breakdown coverage. Continue reading Home Warranty vs Homeowners Insurance: What Each Covers, How Claims Work and Whether You Need Both

Does homeowners insurance cover HVAC systems and air conditioners? How the standard HO-3 treats furnaces, heat pumps and AC units damaged by fire, lightning, storms, falling objects, vandalism and copper theft, why breakdown, age, rust and lack of maintenance are excluded, the freezing rule, equipment breakdown endorsements, home warranties and how to file an HVAC claim. Continue reading Does Homeowners Insurance Cover HVAC and Air Conditioner Damage? Covered Perils, Breakdowns and Theft

Does homeowners insurance cover fences, sheds, detached garages and other structures? How Coverage B works under the standard HO-3, the usual 10 percent limit, covered and excluded causes, falling trees and neighbor disputes, business use and rental exclusions, when to raise the limit and how to file a claim for a damaged fence or shed. Continue reading Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Fences and Sheds? Other Structures Coverage Explained

Does homeowners insurance cover power surge and lightning damage? How the standard HO-3 treats lightning strikes, surges from lightning versus surges from the utility grid, the electronic circuitry limitation on personal property, equipment breakdown endorsements, utility claims, whole-house surge protection and how to file a claim for fried electronics and appliances. Continue reading Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Power Surges and Lightning? Electronics, Appliances and Equipment Breakdown