Josie Grabois

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

Does homeowners insurance cover termite damage? Why the standard HO-3 excludes insects and other pests, the narrow additional coverage for collapse caused by hidden insect damage, what about rodents and other animals, termite bonds and pest control contracts, inspections when buying a home and steps to prevent infestations. Continue reading Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Termite Damage? The Insect Exclusion, Hidden Damage and Collapse

Does homeowners insurance cover foundation problems? How the standard HO-3 treats settling and cracking, earth movement, water below the ground, sudden plumbing leaks under a slab, collapse, vehicle and tree impact, what endorsements and separate policies fill the gaps and how to document and file a foundation claim. Continue reading Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Foundation Problems? Cracks, Settling, Plumbing Leaks and Earth Movement

How homeowners insurance handles wildfires: fire and smoke coverage, additional living expenses during evacuation, rebuilding limits and underinsurance, California's post-disaster claim protections, nonrenewal moratoriums, mitigation discounts, home hardening and defensible space, and where to turn if insurers will not cover your home. Continue reading Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Wildfire Damage? Smoke, Evacuation Costs, Rebuilding and Finding Coverage in High-Risk Areas

A step-by-step guide to buying homeowners insurance when you buy a house: when to start shopping, what lenders require, insurance binders and declarations pages, the mortgagee clause, how premiums appear on the Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure, CLUE reports, inspections, flood zone requirements and the problems that delay closings. Continue reading Buying Homeowners Insurance Before Closing: Timeline, Binders, Lender Requirements and How to Avoid Delays