A beginners guide to homeowners insurance coverages

by Judy Szablak 03/05/2023

Homeowners insurance featured image with picture of homeowners insurance document

For many, homeowners insurance is a necessity. It offers financial protection for your home, and understanding coverages can help you pick a policy best fitting your needs. 

What's not covered by my insurance?

It’s essential to note, homeowners insurance doesn’t cover every peril that can potentially harm the structure of your property. For example, most policies don’t cover termite damages, as this is seen as something preventable by the homeowner with proper maintenance.  Some perils such as earthquakes and floods need to be covered under separate policies. 

What is covered by homeowners insurance?

Homeowners insurance typically offers liability coverage, dwelling coverage and coverage to personal property. 

Homeowners insurance offers financial protection against these standard perils: 

  • Theft.
  • Fire.
  • Hail. 
  • Wind damage.
  • Ice damage.
  • Damages from public commotion.
  • Etc.

Is homeowners insurance necessary?

Homeowners insurance isn’t a requirement - however, accidents frequently happen nationwide, and by purchasing a homeowners insurance policy, you add an extra level of security over your assets. 

For example, a kitchen may be damaged by a fire. Home insurance would kick in after the deductible is paid to help pay for repair costs. In addition to paying for repairs, the policy type may also cover moving the policyholder and their household into temporary lodging as the structure of the home is being restored.

Consider examining the needs of your home and speak with a local insurance representative to  understand what your coverage options are. They can help you choose a policy offering the best benefits for your home and belongings. 



About the Author
Author

Judy Szablak

With over 30 years in the industry, Realtor Judy Szablak has been on national television for her real estate expertise on the HGTV Network, featured on Martha Stewart Living Radio "Morning Living” , NPR radio as an expert real estate panelist, It’s Relevant News channel, and quoted in the Wall Street Journal for her in depth knowledge of Fairfield County Connecticut real estate.

She was also on the local NPR radio station (WSHU) as a Fairfield County CT real estate expert. Judy has provided multiple online respected news sources with her real estate expertise including The Daily Easton, The Daily Weston, The Daily Fairfield, The Daily Stamford and The Daily Greenwich, as well as in print in the New York Post. She is a weekly Real Estate Columnist for WestportNow.com, another real estate column "Real Estate With Judy” is syndicated through Hearst CT Media Online and seen in The Connecticut Post, The Danbury News-Times, The Stamford Advocate, The Greenwich Time, The Hour, Fairfield Citizen, Westport News, Darien News, New Canaan News and the Wilton Villager.

 Judy is also the author of the book, The Art of Buying or Selling a Home, available at all major book retailers. Additionally, Judy has been nationally recognized in a number of national real estate trade magazines, some with distribution to over 1 million members. She was featured in Real Estate Today as early as 1994 for her commitment to, and implementation of technology in real estate. Judy appeared in the Certified Residential Specialist Magazine, as she provided advice on marketing strategies and ethics in the article titled "Marketing Makeovers.”

 Judy was also featured in REALTOR® Magazine, regarding image enhancement for Realtors. She was again featured in REALTOR® Magazine, in an article on "Achieving Flow” and operating at optimal peak performance. In another article in the same publication, Judy offered guidance to fellow real estate professionals as she explored the topic of implementing and maintaining personal websites. She has appeared in The Council of Residential Specialists Magazine, which featured her ideas regarding technology. Additionally, Judy authored an article on marketing and technology for the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Online Magazine. On two occasions, in 2015 and 2017, she appeared as a featured agent in Top Agent Magazine. I have a few other websites- www.TheCtrealtyBlog.com www.CtHomesAndRealEstate.com www.BestWestportHomes.com www.ThePetitePowerhouse.com www,SzablakConsulting.com