DWELLING - This covers the actual home structure and is the cornerstone of your home policy.  This is the value you would receive to rebuild your home if it was a complete loss.

OTHER STRUCTURES - Automatically included in your policy (typically 10% of your home value) which covers any buildings that are not attached to your home.  This can be increased so buildings have adequate coverage.  Other structures could include a stand alone garage, shop or storage building.

PERSONAL PROPERTY - This is all of your stuff from your underwear and socks to the couch and trampoline.  This would include anything that is not attached to your house (you wouldn’t take it if you moved such as carpet or your kitchen sink).   Your deductible would apply if any of your personal property were damaged due to wind, hail, fire, etc.  There are special value limitations on certain types of personal property such as money, jewelry, firearms, silverware or collectables.  Ask your agent for the specific limitations so you can be sure you are properly protected in the event of a loss.  You are able to schedule such items with their own deductible on most policies as special endorsements are available to increase the limitations.  In that case, they  would have open peril coverage which includes coverage for lost or stolen items that may not be covered if they were not scheduled.

You should know if your property is covered with Replacement Cost Coverage or Actual Cash Value as well.

REPLACEMENT COST -  You receive the cost to actually replace your property.  For example your new 60’ big screen tv that you paid $1200 for.  You would receive $1200 to replace and get a new one of the same like kind and quality.

ACTUAL CASH VALUE - If the TV was more than a year old and you wanted to sell it, you might get $800 for it.  The insurance company is going to give you the actual cash value of what that tv cost in today’s world, not the amount to replace it.

LOSS OF USE - Your insurance company will cover expenses of renting another home or apartment while your home is being rebuilt or fixed.  This coverage helps with those expenses.

LIABILITY - Covers you if someone is hurt by you or your property while they are on your land.

LET’S SAY  your dog bites the mailman or your friend falls down the step that came loose in the storm the other day that you hadn’t noticed.  This coverage protects you.