Insurance Basics
These guides explain home-related insurance in plain language: homeowners, renters, coverage types, limits, deductibles, claims, and how insurers look at risk. The goal is simple—know what is covered, what is not, and how to avoid surprises.
Homeowners Insurance Coverage Explained
Breaks down the main sections of a homeowners policy and what each one actually protects.
What Renters Insurance Covers
Explains what renters insurance protects, what it doesn’t, and where most people misunderstand it.
Documenting Your Home for Insurance
How to record your property with photos, video, and notes so claims are easier to prove.
Home Inventory Checklist
Step-by-step method for building a usable inventory instead of a random photo dump.
Types of Home Insurance Policies
Compares common policy forms (HO-3, HO-5, etc.) and what changes between them.
Dwelling Coverage Basics
What “Coverage A” actually insures and how the dwelling limit should relate to rebuild cost.
Personal Property Coverage Basics
How your belongings are covered, typical limits, and when you may be underinsured.
Liability Coverage Basics
What liability coverage does, what kinds of incidents it responds to, and why limits matter.
Loss of Use Coverage Basics
Explains coverage for hotel, rental, and extra living costs when your home is not usable.
Insurance Deductible Basics
How deductibles work in practice and how different amounts affect claims and premiums.
Understanding Policy Limits
Difference between per-occurrence limits, sub-limits, and overall caps on coverage.
ACV vs Replacement Cost
How insurers calculate depreciation and why replacement cost coverage usually matters.
Flood Insurance Basics
Clarifies what “flood” means in insurance language and why standard policies don’t cover it.
Earthquake Insurance Basics
Typical deductibles, exclusions, and when it makes sense to add quake coverage.
Wildfire Insurance Basics
How wildfire-prone areas change pricing, availability, and inspection requirements.
Wind and Hail Coverage Basics
Explains special wind and hail deductibles and how roof damage is usually handled.
Insurance for Rental Properties
Key differences between a landlord policy and a standard owner-occupied policy.
Home Insurance Inspections
What inspectors look for, why photos matter, and what triggers follow-up requirements.
Insurance Claim Process Basics
Walks through a standard claim from first notice to payment and close-out.
Avoiding Claim Denials
Common reasons claims get denied and what you can do upfront to avoid those problems.
Documenting a Loss Properly
How to record damage with photos, lists, and timelines so adjusters have what they need.
Creating a Home Inventory Video
Simple walkthrough method to film your belongings in a way that is actually useful for claims.
Storing Insurance Documents Safely
Where and how to store policies, photos, and receipts so they are accessible after a loss.
Renewing Your Insurance Policy
What to check each year before renewing and how to avoid silent coverage gaps.
How Insurance Premiums Are Calculated
Breaks down the main inputs that drive pricing, from location and claims to coverage limits.
Discounts and Bundling Basics
Which discounts are common, which are minor, and when bundling is actually worth it.
Roof Age and Insurance Impact
How roof age, material, and condition affect eligibility, pricing, and claim outcomes.
Home Upgrades That Affect Premiums
Which upgrades can lower risk and price, and which are mostly cosmetic from an insurer’s view.
Sewer Backup Coverage Basics
What sewer backup coverage does, where it sits in the policy, and common limits.
Home-Based Business Insurance Basics
Why running a business from home changes risk and what coverage gaps it creates.
Condo Insurance Basics
How condo policies split responsibility between unit owners and the association.
Landlord Liability Basics
Liability exposures specific to landlords and what coverage addresses them.
Working with Insurance Adjusters
What adjusters do, what they pay attention to, and how to communicate effectively.
Home Insurance Myths
Common wrong assumptions about coverage and how they fail in real claims.
What to Do After a House Fire
Immediate steps to secure the property, notify insurers, and start the claim process.
What to Do After a Burglary
How to document theft, involve law enforcement, and present a clean claim.
Replacing Damaged Items Guide
How replacement is handled, when you get ACV first, and how recoverable depreciation works.
Personal Property Limits Explained
Looks at category caps for items like jewelry, tools, and electronics.
Scheduling High-Value Items
When to list valuable items separately and what documentation is usually required.
Insurance Endorsements Basics
What endorsements are, how they modify a policy, and when they matter.
Claims vs Premium Impact
How filing claims affects future pricing and when small losses may not be worth reporting.
Insurance Cancellation Reasons
Why insurers cancel or non-renew policies and what warning signs to watch for.
How to Shop for Insurance
Practical way to compare quotes, limits, and exclusions without getting lost in marketing.
Insurance Proof and Documents
What counts as proof of insurance and which documents you actually need to keep handy.
Home Insurance for First-Time Buyers
What new buyers should line up before closing and which questions to ask.
Understanding Insurance Exclusions
How exclusions are written, where they hide, and why they matter more than the brochure.
How Insurers Evaluate Risk
Looks at the data and criteria insurers use to decide pricing and eligibility.
Insurance Policy Review Basics
How to read your policy once a year and spot changes or gaps before a loss happens.
When to Re-Shop Your Insurance
Signals that it’s time to get new quotes and when staying put makes more sense.
Insurance for Manufactured Homes
How coverage for manufactured and mobile homes differs from standard site-built policies.