As wildfire season grows longer and more intense across much of the western U.S., homeowners face increasing risks. It’s no longer just affected rural properties—suburban and even urban homes near wildland areas are vulnerable. Preparing your home is one thing, but ensuring your homeowners insurance policy protects you is just as crucial. Here’s how the right policy can offer peace of mind—and where gaps often catch homeowners off guard. What the Right Policy Should Cover At its core, a standard homeowners insurance policy (HO-3 or equivalent) usually includes fire and smoke damage coverage. This typically extends to: The dwelling itself (your home’s structure) Detached structures (like garages, sheds, or fences)…

Getting a homeowners insurance quote is essential in protecting your property and assets. Still, you’ll need to provide a range of information to get an accurate and comprehensive quote. Insurance companies use these details to assess risk, estimate replacement costs, and determine your premium. Here’s a breakdown of the key information you must gather before requesting a quote. 1. Basic Personal Information Start with the basics: Name Date of birth Marital status Contact information (phone and email) Social Security number (sometimes requested for credit-based insurance scores) This information helps the insurer verify your identity and assess your insurance history. 2. Property Address and Type You’ll need to provide the full…

When you buy a home, one of the first things you’ll need is homeowners insurance. You’ll probably hear the basics—what it covers, how much it costs, and why your lender requires it. But beyond the brochures and quotes, there’s a lot more to know. Some things only become obvious after you’ve filed a claim or had your policy for years. Here are seven things nobody tells you about homeowners insurance but definitely should: 1. Your Policy Probably Doesn’t Cover Everything You Assume It Does Many homeowners are surprised to find out their standard policy excludes certain disasters. For instance, floods and earthquakes are almost always excluded. If you live in…

Understanding your home insurance deductible can help you decide how best to protect what may be the most expensive purchase you ever make. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to understand your policy’s fine print. Keep reading to learn how a homeowners deductible works, how it affects your premium, and how much of a deductible you may need. What Is a Home Insurance Deductible? Simply put, a home insurance deductible is the amount that a homeowner must pay before their insurance steps in to cover the remaining expenses on a claim. The deductible is expressed as a fixed dollar amount – usually $500 to $2,000, but it can be higher –…