A homeowner's guide to dwelling coverage

by Joseph Nuzzolo 10/06/2024

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
Author

Joseph Nuzzolo

Joe was Born and raised in New York and came to LA when he was 25 years old. He started in the fine arts industry with tremendous success. As a Sales Expert, he has closed over 11,000 art deals. It was his love of working with fine art, his creative mindset – and a succession of personal real estate investment deals – that led him into the world of real estate. He was the top agent for 3 Leaf Realty before opening his own firm.

In 2017 Joe decided to branch out on his own and launch his long planned and awaited, Thompson Team Real Estate based in Torrance. Where he and his team of hand picked agents cater to a discerning clientele. Through his 30 years of sales experience, Joe has built a strong and formidable reputation with clients, industry professionals and peers. He utilizes the latest technologies, market research and business strategies to exceed his client’s expectations. More importantly, he listens and finds solutions that are tailored to each client’s specific needs.