FAQ's

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Property and Causalty lines of business including:

Homeowners

Valuable Articles

Flood

Umbrella

Auto

Marine 

Aircraft

Builders Risk 

Commercial Property 

General Liability 

Workers Comp

Excess Liability 

Crime

Cyber Liability

Professional Liability 

Dwelling coverage or “Coverage A” listed on the Homeowners or Dwelling policy declaration page provides coverage for repair or reconstruction of the insured home. Coverage is provided for covered causes of loss described as “perils insured against” in the policy insuring agreement. Covered perils may include fire, theft and windstorm. Dwelling coverage includes structural attachments such as adjoined swimming pools and does not extend to detached items such as personal property within the home or separated other structures located at the insured premises. The Dwelling coverage is a Replacement Cost coverage policy unless stated otherwise. The “loss settlement” section of the policy insuring agreement explains payment procedure in the event of a claim. The policy Dwelling coverage limit is determined by computer software customized by insurance companies and should be updated periodically using estimates from local contractors. Insurance agents will require the home construction details for completion of any required replacement cost estimates. Should detailed construction information be unknown or limited a Dwelling coverage increase or a 3rd party replacement cost inspection may be recommended. Some insurance companies allow an increase of up to 25% over the replacement cost estimated value. Private insurance companies should perform their own replacement cost inspections for high value homes, normally within 30 days from the time the policy is purchased. Insurance companies may require a Dwelling coverage increase if the home is under-insured. Most Homeowners insurance policies include inflation guard, meaning the Dwelling limit will automatically increase at renewal time. The Dwelling limit increase is normally between 4% and 6%. The cost of building materials, labor and equipment may increase over time. Changes in the Home construction such as upgrades and additions should be reported, and the Dwelling limit adjusted accordingly.  

*Please refer to your current policy insuring agreement for exact coverage details and language. 

Other Structures Coverage or “Coverage B” listed on the Homeowners or Dwelling policy declaration page provides coverage for permanent structures detached from the Dwelling. Examples include fencing, a detached guest house, shed, gazebo, barn, boat dock, etc. Swimming pools that are attached to the Dwelling by cement slab, foundation or other structural means are not considered Other Structures. A detached swimming pool separated by earth or grass would be considered an Other Structure. The Other Structures coverage limit is often a percentage of the Dwelling limit ranging from 2% to 10%. Although many private insurance companies will provide a quote for a specified limit. Some insurance companies will automatically include a 10% Other Structures coverage limit that cannot be amended or excluded. Most companies however will allow Other Structures to be excluded or increased. 

*Please refer to your current policy insuring agreement for exact coverage details and language. 

Personal Property Coverage, also known as Contents Coverage or “Coverage C” listed on the Homeowners or Dwelling policy declaration page provides coverage for non-structural or loose items within the insured home. Examples of Personal Property include furniture, clothing and plug in appliances. Personal Property coverage may be provided on a ACV actual cash value basis or RC replacement cost basis. ACV includes age depreciation. For example a five year old refrigerator may cost $3,000 to replace new. With depreciation applied the claim payment would be less than the cost of replacement resulting in an out of pocket expense. RC replacement cost coverage provides full replacement cost without depreciation. RC can be purchased by policy endorsement, although some insurance companies automatically include replacement cost coverage. The RC policy endorsement does not increase the limit of personal property coverage shown on the homeowners policy declaration page. Coverage limitations apply to property outside of the insured home in transit. Additionally, homeowners policies limit theft coverage for certain valuables such as jewelry and firearms. For example; theft coverage for jewelry limited to only $1,500 subject to a high policy deductible may result in $0 coverage for a theft claim isolated to only jewelry. A Valuable Articles policy or Collections policy can be purchased to provide replacement cost coverage for expensive jewelry, fine art, antiques, firearms and other high value items. Coverage can be requested by scheduling each item for full replacement value via an itemized list or by blanket coverage with a total collection value and maximum limit per item, usually $10,000. 

*Please refer to your current policy insuring agreement for exact coverage details and language. 

Loss of Use Coverage or “Coverage D” listed on the Homeowners or Dwelling policy declaration page provides coverage for living expenses including housing accommodations in the event the insured home is not livable due to a covered loss. For example, a fire causes significant damage to the insured home and as a result will be undergoing construction for a few months. The home must be vacant while under construction and is not livable. Loss of Use coverage can cover the expense of a home rental or hotel during the time the insured home is not usable. The Loss of Use coverage limit is normally a percentage of the Dwelling limit. Usually 10% or 20% depending on the insurer. Although some private companies may offer higher limits of coverage. 

*Please refer to your current policy insuring agreement for exact coverage details and language. 

Personal Liability Coverage or “Coverage E” listed on the Homeowners or Dwelling policy declaration page provides coverage for claims of property damage and bodily injury sustained by others for which the policyholder or insureds are legally responsible. For example, if someone slips and falls becoming injured at the insured premises. A child or guest could become injured playing outside or swimming in a pool, or the insured could be trimming a tree and in the process causes damage to the neighbors' home. Most Homeowners insurance policies normally provide a minimum of $100,000 in personal liability coverage, meaning the insurance company can pay up to that amount in the event of a claim. Excess liability coverage can be purchased separately via an umbrella policy. Umbrella insurance companies normally require a minimum liability coverage limit of $300,000 on the Homeowner's policy in order to apply for umbrella coverage. Umbrella coverage is sold in increments of $1,000,000. It is recommended policyholders consult with financial advisors to determine an appropriate limit of coverage to adequality protect their personal assets or consult with an attorney to determine what assets could be at risk in the event of a claim or lawsuit. 

**Please refer to your current policy insuring agreement for exact coverage details and language. 

Medical Payments Coverage or “Coverage F” listed on the Homeowners or Dwelling policy declaration page provides coverage for Medical Payments to others who are injured at the insured premises.  The following is a excerpt from a Citizens HO3 Homeowners policy for example:  We will pay the necessary medical expenses that are incurred or medically ascertained within three years from the date of an accident causing "bodily injury". Medical expenses means reasonable charges for medical, surgical, x-ray, dental, ambulance, hospital, professional nursing, prosthetic devices and funeral services. This coverage does not apply to you or regular residents of your household except "residence employees". As to others, this coverage applies only: 1. To a person on the "insured location" with the permission of an "insured"; or 2. To a person off the "insured location", if the "bodily injury": A. Arises out of a condition on the "insured location" or the ways immediately adjoining; B. Is caused by the activities of a "insured"; C. Is caused by a "residence employee" in the course of the "residence employee's" employment by an "insured"; or D. Is caused by an animal owned by or in the care of an "insured".  

Updated 5/2023

*Please refer to your current policy insuring agreement for exact coverage details and language. 

Loss Settlement Basis: (i.e.: Replacement Cost, Actual Cash Value, Stated Value, etc.). Replacement cost coverage pays for replacement of insured property, like, kind and quality without depreciation. Please review your insuring agreement for details. The following is an excerpt from a Citizens HO3 policy insuring agreement: Loss Settlement – Buildings at replacement cost. However, if at the time of loss, the amount of insurance you have purchased for the insured building is less than 80% of the value of the building, we will not pay you replacement value. Instead we will pay the greater of either actual cash value of that part of the building damaged or a proportion of the cost to repair or replace that part of the damaged building which the total amount of insurance in your policy on the building bears to 80% of the replacement cost of the building. 

Updated 5/2023

*Please refer to your current policy insuring agreement for exact coverage details and language. 

For example; the following is an excerpt from a Citizens HO3 Homeowners policy insuring agreement: Ordinance or Law coverage is an important coverage provided to help meet the increased costs incurred to repair or replace damaged buildings in accordance with ordinances or laws that regulate construction, repair or demolition. This coverage is available at either 25% or 50% of the Coverage A limit of liability shown in your policy Declarations. Ordinance or Law coverage in the amount of 25% of the Coverage A limit of liability may be included in your policy at no additional premium. If you choose (or have chosen) the 50% option, the additional coverage and premium will be reflected in your policy Declarations.

Updated 5/2023

*Please refer to your current policy insuring agreement for exact coverage details and language.