House Insurance Basics

House insurance is one whose purpose is the financial protection of a house by its owners or tenants, as opposed to the risks found.

To correctly understand the terms related to contracting home insurance, it is necessary to know some concepts.

• Continent: It is the structure of the property, of which the roof, the floor, the walls, and all the structural elements are part. The value of the continent declared in the insurance should correspond to the reconstruction value of the property. The value of the land is not reliant on the continent’s worth.
• Content: They are all the accessories inside the house, such as furniture and personal belongings. The policy’s value determines each insured and the maximum cost the insurer will cover in a claim.
• Premium: The annual price paid for the contracted home insurance varies depending on the structure’s value, the insured content’s value and the risks and services acquired.

Is it necessary to take out home insurance?

Taking out home insurance is not mandatory, except in the case of mortgaged homes, which must take out damage insurance for the goods affected by the mortgage. In these cases, you can remove insurance with the entity you want. No one can force us to take house insurance with the bank that allows the mortgage.

However, it is highly committed to taking out home insurance that covers, at least, the continent and civil liability.

What are the primary and recommended coverages of home insurance?

Home insurance usually offers primary coverage, those considered recommendable, which saves a lot of money and many disorders in the event of an accident. Remember that home accidents can occur for many reasons other than personal responsibility and that no person is exempt from experiencing these mishaps.

The primary coverage that all insurers usually recommend covers damage to the mainland, damage to the content, civil liability (for damage caused to third parties), and legal defense to claim damage caused by third parties in our home.

The mainland damage coverage covers repairs for damage caused by fire, theft, water leaks, etc. This coverage has boundaries and exceptions that you must review. Sometimes this coverage is included in the community insurance, so it would not be necessary to contract it.

Content damage coverage covers repairing or replacing items damaged by covered perils. This coverage has a boundary, and in some cases, it is necessary to justify the value of the insured objects.

Civil liability coverage covers repairs or, where appropriate, compensation that you must pay to others for damage caused by a breakdown or problem in your home.

The legal defense coverage covers the claim for legal damages that others have caused to your home, in addition to other range that varies depending on each insurance.

These risks often require multi-risk or combined insurance.

How much does home insurance cost?

Depending on the characteristics of the container and its value, the value of the content to be insured, and the quantity associated with civil liability, among other factors, the price of home insurance can vary considerably. We invite you to consult our insurance comparator and let our experts prescribe you to find the best insurance at the best price.

Do I have to take out house insurance if I rent?

The owner will bear specific responsibilities, while the tenant will pay others. Therefore, it is best to pull out insurance that covers your responsibility as a tenant, including first-risk coverage, so that your insurance solves any incident that arises. At the same time, the owner or person in charge takes care of solving it.

Many insurers sell home insurance designed for renters at very competitive prices. Try our insurance comparator to analyze the home insurance that best suits your needs.

Does home insurance have coverage limits?

The limit set determines the insured amount and the type of loss. It is vital to ensure both the continent and the content for the appropriate amounts and have civil liability insurance covering at least $300,000 to avoid surprises.