A standard homeowners insurance policy is a package policy that bundles several types of coverages into one contract. Here's what it generally provides:

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Dwelling coverage

Pays to repair or rebuild your home's structure — the house itself, attached structures (like an attached garage), and built-in features (cabinets, flooring, plumbing, wiring). It typically covers damage from causes like fire, wind, hail, lightning, theft, vandalism, and the weight of ice or snow. Most policies exclude floods, earthquakes, and earth movement unless you add separate coverage.

 

Other structures coverage

Covers detached structures on your property — fences, sheds, freestanding garages, gazebos, driveways. It's usually set at about 10% of your dwelling coverage limit UNLESS additional coverage is warranted/requested.

 

Personal property (contents) coverage

Pays to repair or replace your belongings — furniture, clothing, electronics, kitchenware — whether they're damaged in your home or stolen elsewhere (say, from your car or a hotel room). It's typically 50–70% of your dwelling limit, with sub-limits on things like jewelry, cash, firearms, and electronics. Most Homeowner policies cover personal property on a "named perils" basis (only listed causes are covered), not "open or ALL RISK perils."

 

Loss of use (additional living expenses)

If a covered loss makes your home unlivable, this pays the extra costs of living elsewhere — hotel bills, restaurant meals, storage — above what you'd normally spend. It also covers fair rental value if you rent out part of the home. Usually capped at 20% of your dwelling limit, with some policies offering an unlimited time frame.

 

Personal liability

Protects you if you're legally responsible for injury to others or damage to their property — a guest slips on your steps, your dog bites someone (animal coverage restrictions/exclusions may apply), your child breaks a neighbor's window. It pays the injured person and your legal defense costs. Common limits are $100,000–$1,000,000.

 

Medical payments to others

A smaller, no-fault coverage that pays medical bills (usually $1,000–$5,000) for someone injured on your property, regardless of who's at fault — meant to head off lawsuits over minor injuries.

 

Other things worth knowing

Deductibles — You pay the deductible first on most property claims (often $1000–$2,500, or a separate percentage deductible of 1–5% of dwelling coverage (for wind/hail in Kansas). Liability and medical payments typically have no deductible.

 

Replacement cost vs. actual cash value — Replacement cost pays what it takes to buy new items; actual cash value (ACV) subtracts depreciation. Most dwelling coverage is written on replacement cost, but personal property defaults to ACV unless you upgrade.

 

Endorsements — Common add-ons include scheduled personal property (itemized valuables like jewelry or art), water backup of sewers and drains (often excluded by default), service line protection, and home system protection. Flood and earthquake always require separate policies.

 

Liability extends beyond the home — Your personal liability coverage follows you worldwide for many non-automobile, non-business incidents (e.g., a golf ball injury or a slip on ice at a friend's home).

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