Everything you need to know about insurance basics, like coverage types, limits, cost and more.
Homeowners Insurance Coverages
From your countertops to the color of your walls, your home is uniquely yours. Shouldn’t your homeowners insurance be built just for you too? We think so.
American Family homeowners insurance covers more than just your floors, walls and ceilings. We believe that everything your home stands for is worth protecting. That’s why we provide the customized home coverage you need to protect what matters most to you.
What Does a Standard Homeowner's Policy Cover?
Did you know you can add coverage and customize your policy for hazards that aren’t insured in your base policy? Check out the details in the Added Coverage section below.
Here’s a look at what’s covered under a standard homeowners policy:
- Fire & Smoke
- Tornadoes
- Damage from weight of ice, snow or sleet
- Leaking roofs
- Lightning
- Theft
- Hail & windstorms
- Falling objects such as rocks or trees
- Wildfire
- Frozen interior plumbing
- Riots or vandalism
- Power surges
What's Not Covered by a Standard Policy
Typically, base policies do not cover things like flood, earthquake, and sewer backup or identity theft. But, you may be eligible to purchase additional protection for these events:- Home Maintenance
- Wear and Tear
- Floods — American Family offers flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program. And usually it's surprisingly affordable — a drop in the bucket compared to how much flood damage could cost.
- Earthquakes
- Sewer/septic backup and sump pump backup — while it's not automatically included in a homeowners policy, sump pump and water backup coverage can easily be added for a fraction of what it would cost to repair or replace water-damaged items in your home.
What Coverages Make Up a Standard Home Insurance Policy?
Our homeowners insurance policy includes different types of coverage that offer you, your home and your belongings protection from unexpected events. Check out our Personalized Coverage Assistant for guidance on which standard and additional coverages are right for your home.
Coverage for Your Home's Structure
Also known as dwelling coverage or Coverage A.What it does: Dwelling coverage covers damages to the structure of your home from things like fire, windstorms, hail, lightning, theft and vandalism.
Example: If your home’s structure is damaged by a fire, the repair costs would be covered by the dwelling portion of your home insurance.
Coverage for Detached Structures
Also known as other structures coverage or Coverage B.What it does: Other structures coverage covers damage to other, detached buildings on your property such as detached garages, gazebos, sheds, swimming pools and fences. Remember, this coverage protects the structure itself — not the things you store inside. That’s where personal property coverage steps in to help.
Example: If a windstorm knocks a tree onto your shed and it needs to be repaired, other structures coverage helps cover the cost.
Coverage for Personal Belongings
Also known as personal property coverage or Coverage C.What it does: From the belongings in your home to the tools in your shed, personal property coverage protects items inside and outside your home (up to your selected coverage limits) if they're damaged or destroyed by a covered event.
Example: That fire that damaged your home’s structure? It also caused serious smoke damage to your clothes and furniture. The good news is your personal property coverage will help cover the cost to clean, repair or replace both!
Temporary Living Expenses
Also known as loss of use coverage or Coverage D.What it does: If your home becomes uninhabitable as a result of a covered event,this coverage helps pay for additional living expenses, like a hotel and food.
Example: After that fire, there’s no way you’re staying in your home until it’s repaired and the smell of smoke is gone. Thankfully, your loss of use coverage will help pay for a temporary place to live.
Liability Protection
Also known as personal liability coverage or Coverage E.What it does: If someone is accidentally injured on your property, our liability coverage can protect you from liability claims and lawsuits brought by others up to your policy limit.
Example: Unfortunately, your friend was over when the fire started and they were severely injured and ended up in the hospital. The liability coverage on your homeowners policy will help pay for their medical bills.
Added Coverage, Extra Peace of Mind
Your household is made up of many moving parts, which is why we offer optional coverages for you to build a homeowners insurance policy that fits your unique needs. Here’s a small sampling of additional home insurance coverages you can add on to your policy for additional charge. For a complete list, connect with your agent and discuss the best protection options for your home.Equipment Breakdown
If your appliances, home systems or smart home devices are damaged due to mechanical, electrical or pressure systems breakdown this coverage has your back.
Sump Pump and Water Backup Coverage
Whether your basement is where you store your treasures or a finished space for entertaining, the right protection gives you peace of mind. Water backup and sump pump failure coverage is an optional add-on that can put your mind at ease.
Matching Siding Protection
Your homeowner’s policy will replace the damaged sections of siding due to a covered loss. And then if you have undamaged siding coverage, we’ll reimburse you the costs for replacing the remaining undamaged siding so everything matches, up to the policy’s limit.
Credit Theft Protection & Monitoring
We’ve partnered with CyberScout, the industry leader in identity and data defense, to bring you credit monitoring services. You’ll get alerted when a new credit account is opened in your name, when an account is updated or is changed, and when a company such as a financial lender or credit card institution pulls a hard inquiry on your credit. Claim your discount for credit monitoring through CyberScout today!
Diminishing Deductible
Add this coverage and earn a $100 credit** towards your deductible right away. And for every year you’re claim-free, we’ll add another $100 credit to your deductible, up to the policy’s limit. It’s a great way to help control what you pay for your homeowners coverage.
Hidden Water Damage Coverage
Get coverage for water damage caused by a leak you can’t see — within plumbing or inside household appliances. Also covers damage that results from wear and tear, deterioration, corrosion and rust.
Have Coverage Questions?
Does Home Insurance Cover Water Damage?
Water damage is a common cause of home insurance claims, but many people aren’t exactly sure how their home insurance protects them in the event water wreaks havoc on their home.-
No, but you can get the extra protection you need from the National Flood Insurance program.
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Yes, as long as the pipe burst was not due to neglected maintenance.
However, with additional hidden water damage coverage, you can be protected from issues that aren’t covered in your base policy. Let’s explore how hidden water damage coverage protects you:
- Covers costs to repair damage by hidden water issues and leaks that aren’t readily visible
- Covers the cost to replace or repair damages that result from hidden water leaks
- Covers damage that a hidden leak does to your plumbing, A/C, heating, fire sprinkler systems and home appliances
- Covers damage done to walls, floors, ceilings, cabinets — and other items in your home damaged by hidden water leaks
- Covers issues that result from hidden wear and tear, corrosion, rust and deterioration
Note that this protection does not provide coverage for the appliance or item which caused the leak.
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Yes.
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No, not unless you have sump pump coverage.
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No, not unless you have selected the detached structures coverage. Connect with your agent to learn more about this coverage.
Save Money by Bundling Home & Car Insurance
Bundling takes the stress out of managing multiple plans. Customers who bundle their auto and home insurance policies save up to 23% on both policies together.*
Get a bundled insurance quote today.
Smart Ways to Save
Not only can having the right protection in place earn you a discount, but your other savvy choices can help you save on home insurance, too. From installing qualifying smart home devices to combining your home and auto coverage, take a look at some of the ways you could save.Smart Home Discount
If your home is equipped with a qualifying smart device, an ADT home security system, you could be in for a better rate with our proactive home protection discount.Home Purchase Discount
If you’ve achieved your dream of purchasing a home within the past three years, you’re eligible for this discount — regardless of your home’s age.
Renovated Home Discount
Have you completely replaced the plumbing, electrical and heating systems in your home in the last 15 years? Then this discount is for you!
Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers.
Our resource center is filled with information to help you get confident with your coverages and support you as a homeowner.
What Can We Help You With?
*Customers who bundle auto and home insurance policies may save up to 23% on both policies together (as of October 2021). Discounts may vary by state, property, policy form and company underwriting the auto and/or home policy. Discounts may not apply to all coverages on an auto or property policy.
**Diminishing Deductible does not apply to all property deductibles.
Some coverages may not be available in your state. Available at renewal for existing policyholders. Please speak with your agent to learn more about your coverage options.
This coverage is not available in MN at this time.