Home insurance checklist

Homes change—roofs get replaced, basements get finished, families add gear and gadgets. This checklist walks you through quick, practical steps to keep your policy in sync with your exact situatio so a claim pays what you expect.

  • Coverage fit
  • Rebuild costs
  • Liability
  • Wind & hail
  • Proof & documentation
Step 1

Right-size your dwelling limit (Coverage A)

Coverage A should track the cost to rebuild your home today—not the purchase price or mortgage balance.

  • Update materials & square footage: Finished basement, additions, higher-end kitchens/baths raise the rebuild cost.
  • Extended/Guaranteed replacement: Look for 20%–50% extended RC or guaranteed RC if available.
  • Ordinance or law: Add coverage for code-required upgrades after a loss (electrical, plumbing, energy codes).
Verify rebuild estimate Ask about replacement options
Step 2

Match personal property to what you actually own (Coverage C)

Your stuff adds up. Make sure the limit and valuation method reflect reality.

  • Replacement Cost on contents (RC): Prefer RC over ACV so depreciation isn’t deducted on a claim.
  • Special limits: Jewelry, watches, firearms, collectibles, cash, and trailers have sublimits—know them.
  • Schedule high-value items: List with appraisals for broader coverage and no deductible (varies by carrier).
Step 3

Increase personal liability & medical payments (Coverages E & F)

Liability is usually inexpensive per dollar and protects your net worth and future earnings.

  • Liability limits: Consider $300k–$500k or higher; align with assets and risk profile (trampoline, pool, dogs, rentals).
  • Umbrella policy: For added protection across home/auto, often requires certain underlying limits.
  • Medical payments: Small limits can help pay minor injuries to guests without fault questions.
Check umbrella eligibility How liability coverage works
Step 4

Understand deductibles, wind/hail, and roof terms

Your deductible and roof coverage can swing the true cost of a claim more than the premium does.

  • All-peril vs. wind/hail: Some policies use a separate wind/hail percentage deductible; know yours.
  • Roof settlement: Replacement cost (RC) vs. actual cash value (ACV) or surface schedule—critical in hail regions.
  • Water backup: Add coverage for sump/sewer backup if you have a basement or low-lying drains.
Step 5

Other structures & additional living expense

Make sure external buildings and temporary housing are funded correctly.

  • Other structures (Coverage B): Fences, sheds, detached garages—limit is often 10% of Coverage A; increase if needed.
  • Loss of Use (Coverage D): Pays for housing and increased living costs while repairs happen—confirm adequacy.
Step 6

Close gaps with endorsements—and know exclusions

Some events are limited or excluded on standard forms but can be endorsed back.

  • Service line & equipment breakdown: Covers buried lines and sudden mechanical/electrical failure.
  • Short-term rental or home-business: Add endorsements if you host guests or operate from home.
  • Flood & earthquake: Typically excluded—consider separate policies or endorsements where available.

Endorsement names and availability vary by state and carrier.

Step 7

Document upgrades and inventory your stuff

Proof speeds claims and supports higher limits where you need them.

  • Photos & receipts: Keep roof pics, contractor invoices, appliance serials, alarm certificates.
  • Home inventory: A quick video walk-through + room lists stored in the cloud beats guesswork.
  • Appraisals: Update jewelry/collectible appraisals every few years if scheduled.
Download inventory checklist Send docs to your agent
Step 8

Build good renewal habits

A quick annual review keeps the policy current and catches creeping gaps.

  • Annual check-in: Update square footage, roof age, security devices, and any renovations.
  • Bundle & discounts: Verify multi-policy, alarm, water shutoff, and new-roof credits.
  • No surprises: If you’re planning major work, ask about course-of-construction/permissions.
Schedule a policy review See bundling benefits
Quick FAQs

Common questions

Is my dwelling limit tied to market value?
No. It should reflect local rebuild cost (materials + labor), not what your home would sell for.

What’s the difference between ACV and RC on the roof?
RC replaces with like kind/quality without depreciation; ACV subtracts depreciation for age/condition.

Do I need flood insurance if I’m not in a high-risk zone?
Consider it. Many claims occur outside mapped high-risk areas; pricing is often modest in lower-risk zones.

Bottom line

Set it once, review briefly each year

Dial in rebuild, contents, liability, and roof terms; endorse away the obvious gaps; keep proof handy. That’s a policy that matches your home.

Review my home coverage Talk with an agent