What Are the Different Types of Home Insurance? - Nationwide (2024)

What Are the Different Types of Home Insurance? - Nationwide (1)

Whether you’re buying your first homeowners insurance policy or wanting to update your current policy, knowing the basics of home insurance coverage is key. Before you can make an informed decision, you should be familiar with the different types of home insurance available to you.

A standard homeowners insurance policy includes the following coverages:

  • Dwelling coverage is the basis for all homeowners insurance policies. It provides protection for the structure of your home including the floors, walls, built-in appliances and ceilings, as well as any attached structures. It also covers a variety of perils including fire, hail, theft and vandalism – and can help you rebuild your home in the event of a total loss (up to your policy limit).
  • Contents coverage protects items including furniture and clothing in your home. If a covered incident were to occur, you would receive funds for the value of these items, as defined by your policy. Personal liability pays for damages that occur from certain accidents.
  • Personal liability consists of bodily injury damage coverage, which covers costs if a guest sustains an injury in your home or elsewhere, and property damage coverage, which kicks in if your property is damaged as a result of a covered accident.

However, dwelling coverage does not cover everything, no matter what your policy limits are. For this reason, it’s a good idea to customize your policy by having additional coverages to suit your specific situation. We’ve outlined our optional, add-on coverages below to help you understand what each one covers.

Optional home insurance coverages:

Flood insurance protects your house and belongings from flood-related damages. It is a separate policy with its own deductible. If you live in a state or area that is prone to flooding, this coverage is a good idea and may even be required depending on your location.

Earthquake insurance covers your home in the event of damages caused by an earthquake. This policy also has its own deductible.

Replacement cost plus is an extra level of protection that can provide additional coverage to rebuild your home after a total loss. If you have owned your property for an extended period of time and are concerned about depreciation, taking out additional replacement cost coverage may be a good idea.

Water backup of sewer protects your home in the event of sewer or drain backup, which is an unfortunate but common issue faced by homeowners.

Other structures insurance covers property that is unattached to your home, such as a gazebo, shed or unattached garage. If you have any of these structures on your property, it’s a good idea to insure them to avoid the risk of paying out of pocket if an accident occurs.

Personal umbrella liability insurance provides additional coverage for bodily injury, property damage and personal injury to others – beyond the policy limits outlined in your main homeowners policy.

Medical payments coverage may provide payment for a medical expense resulting from an accident on the customer’s property. This coverage is intended for the immediate medical treatment of guests on the customers’ premises, without determining fault.

Ordinance or law insurance kicks in if you need to rebuild your house to fit current building codes after a covered loss. It can be a smart choice if you have an older home.

Valuables Plus® is a unique Nationwide coverage that provides an extra level of protection for your high-value items such as jewelry, antiques and fine art in the event of a covered incident.

Brand New Belongings® is an optional, add-on endorsem*nt that can provide funds to repair or replace certain belongings in the aftermath of a covered loss, without a deduction for deterioration and depreciation.

Better Roof Replacement® is an optional coverage that can help you rebuild your roof to be stronger and safer after a covered loss.

Your homeowners insurance should be unique to your home and your needs. To learn more about what home insurance policies cover, call a Nationwide professional today at 1-877-On Your Side (1-877-669-6877) or start a home insurance quote online today.

What Are the Different Types of Home Insurance? - Nationwide (2024)

FAQs

What Are the Different Types of Home Insurance? - Nationwide? ›

Homeowners insurance policies generally cover destruction and damage to a residence's interior and exterior, the loss or theft of possessions, and personal liability for harm to others. Three basic levels of coverage exist: actual cash value, replacement cost, and extended replacement cost/value.

What are the three main types of homeowners insurance? ›

Homeowners insurance policies generally cover destruction and damage to a residence's interior and exterior, the loss or theft of possessions, and personal liability for harm to others. Three basic levels of coverage exist: actual cash value, replacement cost, and extended replacement cost/value.

What is the most common type of home insurance? ›

An HO-3 policy is the most popular type of home insurance. It's known as a “special form” or “open perils” policy. It insures the structure of your home against all causes of damage except those specifically listed as exclusions in your policy.

What are the three types of insurance everyone should have? ›

There are many types of insurance available, but there are some which top the charts in terms of importance. Home or property insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, health insurance, and automobile insurance are five types that everyone should have. Patient Advocate.

What is the difference in conditions policy for nationwide? ›

A difference in conditions policy provides insurance coverage for certain types of damage or loss that aren't covered under your primary home or property insurance policy. In other words, a DIC policy fills in coverage gaps left by another policy to give you more adequate financial protection.

What are the six categories typically covered by homeowners insurance? ›

A standard homeowners insurance policy covers the following:
  • Dwelling Coverage.
  • Other Structures Coverage.
  • Personal Property Coverage.
  • Loss of Use / Additional Living Expenses Coverage.
  • Liability Coverage.
  • Medical Payments to Others Coverage.
May 22, 2024

How many homeowners insurance policies are there? ›

There are eight types of homeowners insurance. HO-1: This is the most basic type of homeowners insurance. It typically only provides coverage for the structure of your house if it's damaged by 10 named issues listed in the policy.

What is the most reasonable homeowners insurance? ›

Top 5 Cheap Homeowners Insurance Companies
  • State Farm: Our pick for new homeowners.
  • Auto-Owners: Our pick for discounts.
  • Erie: Our pick for customer service.
  • USAA: Our pick for military members.
  • Allstate: Our pick for extended coverage.
May 17, 2024

What is the most basic type of insurance? ›

The minimum requirement is third-party insurance which covers the cost of injury or damage to another person's car or property. However, you won't be protected if your own vehicle is damaged or stolen. You can increase your cover with third-party fire and theft or opt for a fully comprehensive policy.

What are the two main types of mortgage insurance? ›

There are four main types of mortgage insurance you can purchase: borrower-paid mortgage insurance, single-premium mortgage insurance, lender-paid mortgage insurance, and split-premium mortgage insurance.

Which type of insurance do you believe is most important? ›

#1: Health Insurance

Health insurance is a critical piece of every financial plan.

What stage of life do you need homeowners insurance? ›

If you buy a house, you'll need homeowners insurance and additional liability insurance to protect you if someone is injured on your property. This is also the phase of life during which to start thinking about long-term care insurance.

In what circ*mstances would a property insurance claim be rejected? ›

What is the most common reason for a property insurance claim rejection? Claims are often rejected due to exclusions present in the policy or insufficient documentation provided by the policyholder.

What are the 3 types of coverage available in dwelling policies? ›

Dwelling policy coverages
  • Coverage A (Dwelling): Covers the main dwelling, including attached garages or carports.
  • Coverage B (Other Structures): Covers detached structures on the property.
  • Coverage C (Personal Property): Covers personal belongings.

Does Nationwide charge a cancellation fee for homeowners insurance? ›

If you've already paid your premium for the policy period in full, Nationwide will refund the unused portion. Nationwide does not impose a cancellation fee or penalty for early termination. Finally, it's important to remember that you don't need to cancel your policy just because you're going through some life changes.

Is Nationwide cheaper than Progressive? ›

Is Nationwide car insurance cheaper than Progressive? Nationwide auto insurance is cheaper than Progressive car insurance. On average, Nationwide car insurance rates are $242 per month, while Progressive car insurance quotes average $317 per month. However, monthly rates vary.

What are the three most common kinds of property insurance? ›

Understanding Property Insurance

There are three types of property insurance coverage: replacement cost, actual cash value, and extended replacement costs.

What is the difference between HO3 and ho8? ›

A standard HO-3 policy will typically include some water damage coverage, but usually excludes damage from flooding or sewer backup. An HO-8 policy does not include coverage for water damage, including damage caused by sudden events such as burst pipes.

What is the difference between hob and HO3? ›

HOB: Hybrid Policy

It combines an open perils policy for your home's structure with a named perils policy for your home's contents and excludes basically the same perils. The main difference between the HO3 and HOB boils down to water damage protection. HOB provides this point of coverage, while HO-3 does not.

What is the most important thing in homeowners insurance? ›

Make sure you're covered for the right amount – your home insurance policy should cover the full value of your home in case of damage or destruction. When it comes to home insurance, you want to make sure you're getting the right amount of coverage.

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