What damage to my house would not be covered by my homeowner’s policy?
It depends on the type of policy you own. But in general, unless you buy additional coverage, you won’t be compensated for losses due to floods, earthquakes, nuclear accidents, wars, intentional damage, and normal wear and tear. Other exclusions may also apply.

Why should I buy homeowner’s insurance?
A home can require a tremendous investment of money, time, and energy. Homeowner’s insurance is designed to protect that investment by insuring the actual structure or structures and the personal possessions in and around them, as well as providing liability protection for the residents. Through homeowner’s insurance, you can protect yourself and your family from enormous loss in the event of damage or destruction to your home and property. Most likely, if you have a mortgage on your home, you are required to carry homeowner’s insurance.

What can I do about expensive possessions, like jewelry and collectibles, that are far more valuable than the coverage limits of my homeowner’s policy?
You can purchase additional coverage through an endorsement to your existing policy or with a separate policy, to extend the limits of coverage for specific items.

What does it mean when a car is “totaled”?
After an accident or theft recovery, if the insurance company decides your car is “totaled,” it means the estimate of the repairs exceeds the car’s value. At this point, the insurance company will likely send you a check for your car’s value. It gets to keep your car unless you decide to buy it back “as is.”

What should I do if another driver hits my car?
If you were not at fault in the accident, you will make a third-party claim to the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Because you are the claimant, the insurance company typically will issue the check directly to you. It’s your responsibility to pay the repair shop, and/or the lender if you have a car loan. If the other driver doesn’t have insurance, your uninsured motorist coverage will take effect if you have that coverage on your policy.