Dwelling coverage, also called dwelling insurance, is part of every standard homeowners insurance policy. Dwelling coverage concerns the physical structure of your home, and can help you recoup financially if it’s damaged.
While most homeowners insurance policies include dwelling coverage, it can be confusing to determine what sort of damaging events are covered. Here is a quick reference guide to what types of covered peril or hazards:
Natural hazards
Dwelling coverage is used to help pay for damage sustained from natural disasters or hazards. If the structure of your home is damaged by fire or smoke, windstorms, lightning strikes, hail, snow, sleet or ice, you may be entitled to compensation to cover the cost.
However, it’s important to note that not all natural hazards are covered by this homeowners policy. For example, windstorms do not include tornadoes. If you live in a region where tornadoes are common, you will need to purchase an additional tornado insurance policy.
For areas prone to earthquakes or flooding, you would also need to get additional coverage for these hazards. Consulting an insurance agent in your area will help you determine what insurance coverage is best for your situation.
It’s also crucial to remember that dwelling coverage only counts for the physical structure. This means it won’t cover the cost to replace carpeting or hardwood floors damaged by smoke from a fire. Typically, interior elements like flooring are covered under another portion of your homeowners insurance policy.
Other hazards
Dwelling insurance protects you from hazards beyond natural or weather-related events. Human-caused damage to the home structure from vandalism or theft are covered under this part of the policy.
Other hazards included in coverage are falling objects, damage from motor vehicles and damage from aircraft. If any of these issues should cause personal property damage, your insurance will pay for repairs.
Dwelling coverage and other specific policies can make an enormous difference in your recovery from the unlikely event of a covered disaster. By knowing exactly what dwelling insurance covers, you can have more peace of mind knowing your provider will help you recoup your losses.
About the Author
Kyung Kim
Hi, I'm Kyung Kim. I immigrated from South Korea to the United States in 1968 when I was 7 years old. I have seen my mom struggle with the English language and work hard to raise her four kids by herself. Still to this day, I don't know how she pulled it off, but she bought her first home in 1979 for $70,000 and because of that decision, she was able to live without worrying about her financial future. I want that for everyone, to feel the pride of home ownership and to build their financial wealth using real estate as part of their financial portfolio. I feel so blessed to play a small role in helping others reach this goal.
I live in Beaverton with my husband, Richard. My mom, who lived with us for several years, passed away in our home in February 2022. Her first home purchase in 1979 made it possible for her to live to the very end, without worrying about her finances. As of August 2022 with a little downpayment assistance, our four children own their own homes. Being in real estate, I quickly realized that if they didn't buy now, they may be priced out of the market in the future. Whether that would have been the case, we will never know, but what we do know is that they are all realizing some good, healthy appreciation in their home values.
As passionate as I am about people owning their homes, I'm also passionate about giving back to our community. I support Compassion First, a non-profit organization that provides aftercare for sex trafficked girls in Indonesia. My husband and I also feel called to financially support social injustice organizations.
I'd love to assist you. Whether you're in the research phase at the beginning of your real estate search or you know exactly what you're looking for, you'll benefit from having a real estate professional by your side. I'd be honored to put my real estate experience to work for you.
