We all hope to never need that policy, but do you know exactly what a homeowners policy covers? The answers may surprise you and even save you some money in areas you never realized!

Homeowners policies offer a wide range of coverages, from your home itself and structures on your property to liability coverage, even to loss of income coverages. As always, coverage will vary from policy to policy and company to company, so it is important to read your policy carefully and consult your insurance agent.

Let’s go over some of the most common coverages you’ll see with homeowners policies.

Dwelling and Other Structures

Standard homeowners policies cover the physical structure of your home in the event of needed repairs or replacement from a covered cause of loss. These coverages protect your home from damage caused by things like fire, smoke, wind, lightning and hail. They also include falling object coverage, which means things like meteors falling on your house are also covered (the more you know, right?).

Often these coverages also extend to protect “other structures” on your policy. This refers to things such as detached garages, barns, fences, sheds and even things like permanently affixed swing sets. They can, depending on the policy, also refer to things like swimming pools and other recreational equipment. However, these are considered higher-risk items and may need additional coverage.

Personal Property

Policies are designed to protect your home during a theft or vandalism event and can also extend to your personal belongings. Things such as appliances, clothing, furniture, electronics and other possessions are covered up to set limits outlined in the policy.

Living Expenses

Another often-overlooked coverage in a homeowners policy is covered living expenses, should you find yourself in need of alternate lodging while your home is being repaired or rebuilt from a covered cause of loss. It often includes food, parking and hotel fees up to a pre-set coverage limit and time period that is laid out in your policy.

Liability Coverages

Another important part of your homeowners policy is personal liability. This means your policy can offer financial protection if a person is injured on your property. For example, say a friend is bit by your dog or a delivery person slips on ice on your driveway or sidewalk. Your homeowners insurance will reimburse medical expenses to the injured party as well as legal fees if you are sued over it, up to applicable coverage limits.

What’s Not Covered?

Things like floods, mold, pest infestations and earthquakes are usually not covered under most standard homeowners policies. As always, things that break or are damaged due to neglect are also not usually covered. Often times, coverage for natural disasters like flooding and earthquakes are offered as additional endorsements on your homeowners policy.

Like any insurance policy, there are common things that just aren’t covered in most homeowners policies. However, we always recommend you read your policy in detail and speak with your local ERIE agent for specific questions.

The ERIE Difference

So, what exactly sets Whitbeck Insurance apart from the competition? Aside from our award-winning service, ERIE offers a wide range of endorsements and additional coverages to help customize your home policy to your exact needs, because we get it, no two policies are the same.

Some unique features offered by ERIE are:

• Guaranteed Replacement Cost¹. The pandemic altered many aspects of our lives, the economy was a big one. The cost of materials drastically changed which means the cost of rebuilding your home after a total loss is likely going to vary. This coverage gives you peace of mind knowing that if you must rebuild your home, it will be covered, and your home will be built back to what it was, no matter how drastically costs have changed.
• Equipment Breakdown Coverage². An added cushion of coverage protection for major appliances and home systems (when you also have Sewer or Drain Backup coverage) is built right into your policy. This helps cover things like heating and air conditioning, water heaters, appliances, home security systems, sump pumps, smart home technology and more!
• Extended Water³. The protection you need from backup of sewers, drains (separate Water Backup endorsement required in North Carolina) or floods. This added protection offers coverages for direct physical loss that protect your home, garage or other structures and personal property (yes, even that stuff in the basement) that’s been damaged due to an extended water event.
• Service Line Coverage⁴. Did you know that underground service lines such as cable, internet, gas, sewer and electrical lines are usually your responsibility and most homeowners policies don’t cover them? We decided to do something about that.

Homeowners insurance can be complicated and difficult to understand exactly what you need to fit your specific situation. With ERIE, we not only offer a wide range of coverage options to help tailor policies specifically to you, but those policies are also handled by local insurance experts that will help guide and advise you. Make sure to contact your local ERIE agent today to discuss what coverages you may or may not have on your homeowners policy.

ERIE® insurance products and services are provided by one or more of the following insurers: Whitbeck Insurance Exchange, Whitbeck Insurance Company, Whitbeck Insurance Property & Casualty Company, Flagship City Insurance Company and Erie Family Life Insurance Company (home offices: Erie, Pennsylvania) or Whitbeck Insurance Company of New York (home office: Rochester, New York).  The companies within the Whitbeck Insurance Group are not licensed to operate in all states. Refer to the company licensure and states of operation information.

The insurance products and rates, if applicable, described in this blog are in effect as of January 2024 and may be changed at any time. 

Insurance products are subject to terms, conditions and exclusions not described in this blog. The policy contains the specific details of the coverages, terms, conditions and exclusions. 

The insurance products and services described in this blog are not offered in all states.  ERIE life insurance and annuity products are not available in New York.  ERIE Medicare supplement products are not available in the District of Columbia or New York.  ERIE long term care products are not available in the District of Columbia and New York. 

Eligibility will be determined at the time of application based upon applicable underwriting guidelines and rules in effect at that time.

Whitbeck Insurance Agency can offer you practical guidance and answer questions you may have before you buy.