Home and renters insurance guides
How homeowners and renters policies work, what they usually leave out, and when bundling with your car insurance makes sense.
Homeowners Insurance Explained: What It Covers
Learn what homeowners insurance covers, from your house to liability (Coverages A–F), how HO-3 and other forms differ, and what is usually excluded.
Read guide · 9 minHomeowners insurance
Policy types, coverage limits and what is and isn't covered.
Homeowners Insurance Explained: What It Covers
Learn what homeowners insurance covers, from your house to liability (Coverages A–F), how HO-3 and other forms differ, and what is usually excluded.
9 min readRead guideHO-3 vs. HO-5 Homeowners Insurance
HO-3 vs. HO-5 homeowners insurance compared: how each form covers your home and belongings, key differences, who may consider an HO-5, and what it may cost.
5 min readRead guideHow Much Homeowners Insurance Do I Need?
How much homeowners insurance you need depends on rebuild cost, not market value. Learn how to set dwelling, belongings and liability limits and avoid gaps.
6 min readRead guideReplacement Cost vs. Actual Cash Value
Replacement cost vs. actual cash value in home insurance: how depreciation changes your payout, how claims are paid in two steps, and what to check.
5 min readRead guideHome Insurance Deductibles Explained
How home insurance deductibles work: flat-dollar vs. percentage deductibles, wind and hail rules, how a claim payout is calculated, and how to choose one.
5 min readRead guideDoes Homeowners Insurance Cover Roof Damage?
Homeowners insurance often covers sudden roof damage from wind, hail or fire, but not wear and tear. See how roof age, deductibles and exclusions affect payouts.
7 min readRead guideDoes Homeowners Insurance Cover Water Damage?
Sudden water damage like a burst pipe is often covered, while floods, sewer backups and slow leaks usually are not. Learn where the lines fall and how to claim.
7 min readRead guideHow to Create a Home Inventory for Insurance
A home inventory documents your belongings so insurance claims go faster. Follow a step-by-step method with photos or video, plus storage and update tips.
6 min readRead guideRenters and condo insurance
Cover for renters, condo owners, roommates and landlords.
Renters Insurance: What It Covers and Why It's Cheap
Renters insurance covers your belongings, liability and temporary living costs, not the building. Here's what it includes and why it often costs so little.
7 min readRead guideCondo Insurance (HO-6) Explained
Condo insurance (HO-6) covers your unit's interior, belongings and liability alongside the HOA master policy. Learn the gaps, loss assessment and what to ask.
6 min readRead guideLandlord Insurance Explained
Landlord insurance covers a rental property's building, lost rent and owner liability, but not tenants' belongings. See how it differs from homeowners insurance.
6 min readRead guideHow Much Renters Insurance Do I Need?
Work out renters insurance limits step by step: total your belongings, choose replacement cost or actual cash value, and pick a liability limit that fits.
6 min readRead guideRenters Insurance for College Students
Do college students need renters insurance? Learn when a parent's policy covers a dorm room, when it doesn't, and what to check before you move off campus.
7 min readRead guideRenters Insurance With Roommates
Should roommates share one renters policy or buy separate ones? See how coverage, liability and claims work when you split a rental, and what to ask first.
6 min readRead guideNatural disasters and special risks
Floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, wildfire and other gaps.
Flood Insurance Explained: NFIP and Private Options
Homeowners policies do not cover floods. Learn how NFIP flood insurance works, its coverage limits and 30-day wait, and when private flood coverage may fit.
6 min readRead guideEarthquake Insurance: Who Needs It?
Standard homeowners policies exclude earthquake damage. Learn how earthquake coverage works, why deductibles run 10% to 20% or more, and how to weigh your risk.
6 min readRead guideHurricane and Windstorm Deductibles Explained
Many coastal states use a percentage deductible for hurricane damage. See how 1% to 5% deductibles work, when they trigger, and what a claim could cost you.
6 min readRead guideWildfire Risk and Home Insurance
Wildfire is generally covered by standard homeowners insurance, but high-risk areas see nonrenewals and higher prices. Learn your options, FAIR Plans and mitigation.
6 min readRead guideDoes Home Insurance Cover Mold?
Home insurance may cover mold from a sudden covered water loss, but usually not from slow leaks, humidity or floods. Learn the limits, exclusions and next steps.
5 min readRead guideDog Bite Liability and Home Insurance
Homeowners and renters liability coverage often pays when your dog bites someone, but limits and breed exclusions apply. Learn what is covered and what to check.
6 min readRead guideMobile and Manufactured Home Insurance
How mobile and manufactured home insurance works, what it covers, why older homes can be harder to insure, and what to check about land and flood risk.
6 min readRead guideCosts, claims and buying tips
Premiums, escrow, claims and buying your first policy.
Bundling Home and Auto Insurance: Pros and Cons
Bundling home and auto insurance with one company can earn a discount and simplify bills, but it isn't always cheapest. Learn the pros, cons and how to compare.
7 min readRead guideHome Insurance for First-Time Buyers
A first-time buyer's guide to homeowners insurance: when to shop, what lenders require at closing, how to choose coverage, flood gaps, and common mistakes.
6 min readRead guideHomeowners Insurance and Escrow Accounts Explained
How homeowners insurance works with a mortgage escrow account: what gets paid, why your payment changes, escrow analysis, shortages, and force-placed coverage.
6 min readRead guideHow to Lower Your Home Insurance Premium
Realistic ways homeowners may be able to reduce a home insurance premium, from comparing quotes and deductibles to discounts and home upgrades.
7 min readRead guideHow to File a Home Insurance Claim
A step-by-step guide to filing a homeowners insurance claim: what to do first, how to document damage, working with an adjuster, and what to do if you disagree.
6 min readRead guideWhy Is Home Insurance Going Up?
Why homeowners insurance premiums keep rising: higher rebuilding costs, severe weather, reinsurance, and more. Plus what you can and can't do about it.
6 min readRead guide