Determine Your Coverage Needs
Types of Coverages
Dwelling Coverage
To repair or replace your home following damage caused by fire, smoke, water, theft, vandalism or a storm.
Personal Property Coverage
For your personal belongings, including furniture, appliances, electronics and clothing.
Personal Liability Coverage
To help protect you if someone is injured on your property and it can also cover their medical expenses.
Additional Living Expenses Coverage
To help pay for expenses if you're displaced from your home as a result of covered damage.
Mobile Home or Manufactured Home Coverage
Separate policy offered by many companies designed specifically to cover mobile and manufactured homes.
Hurricane or Windstorm Coverage
To insure your property in the event it is damaged by a named hurricane.
Flood Insurance
Flood insurance is a separate policy from your homeowners insurance policy. Your homeowners insurance may cover water damage, but will typically not cover damage caused by flooding. Remember, anywhere it rains, it can flood.
Just one inch of water can cause up to $25,000 of damage to your home, and 18 inches or more of water may require repairs to your electrical system, heating/cooling system, doors, appliances, and cabinets. Flood insurance provides protection for your property if it is damaged by flooding.
For more information on Flood Insurance, review my Full Coverage: Flood Insurance webpage that includes a variety of resources:
Flood Insurance Resources
- National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Help Center Contact Information
- Find An NFIP Agent to Purchase Flood Insurance Information
- Office of the Flood Insurance Consumer Advocate Information
- Insurance Companies Eligible to Write Flood Insurance Policies in Florida
(Florida Office of Insurance Regulation)
Consumer Education Guides
- Anywhere It Rains, It Can Flood - The Importance of Flood Insurance
- Flood Insurance: Myths & Facts
- Flood Insurance: Know What To Do After A Flood
- The Flood Claims Process
- NFIP Map Changes and Flood Insurance
- NFIP Flood Insurance For Renters
Items Not Typically Covered in a Homeowners Insurance Policy
When purchasing homeowners insurance, research and understand what type of policy you are buying, what is covered and what is not covered.
Items that are typically not covered by a homeowners insurance policy include:
Damage from flooding, sinkholes, a sewer backup or sump pump issue
Damage that arises from general wear and tear or lack of maintenance of your home
Damage caused by termites or other rodents
The cost to replace expensive jewelry or family heirlooms
Liability associated with certain breeds of dogs such as German Shepard or Pit Bull
Solar panels and any damage caused by the installation of solar panels
Every policy has exclusions and it's important to fill in coverage gaps that can affect your unique needs by purchasing additional coverage.
Homeowners Insurance Policy Endorsements
Purchasing sufficient coverage for your home and your personal property is an important decision. Your homeowners insurance policy may not provide you with all of the benefits and options you need to protect your home and personal property, and it may be necessary to enhance or make changes to your policy.
Most homeowners insurance companies offer endorsements for this purpose. (Example: Sinkhole Coverage, Animal Liability Coverage, Screened Enclosure and Carport Coverage, etc.)
An endorsement is an addition or adjustment to your insurance coverage, terms or conditions of the policy. An endorsement is also referred to as a rider or an amendment. It is simply a way for you to add or change the coverages on your policy so you will have the additional coverage you need for your home and personal property.
Contact Your ICA
Florida's Insurance Consumer Advocate
Office of the Insurance Consumer Advocate
200 East Gaines Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone: (850) 413-5923
Email: YourFLVoice@MyFloridaCFO.com
