Just about every homeowner could benefit from home insurance. This policy can cover repairs for home damage as well as liabilities that result from accidents on your property. However, it does have its limitations on how it can help you.

What Does Home Insurance Cover?

There are four types of protection included in standard home insurance policies—dwelling, other structures, personal property, and personal liability.

Under the dwelling and detached structures coverage, you can file a claim for damage sustained by the roof, foundation, walls, floors, cabinets, and plumbing. It can also include attached structures, such as a garage, deck, and work shed. The insurance carrier will pay for repairing or replacing them, as long as they resulted from named perils like fire, hail, windstorm, lightning strikes, and vandalism. Also, they will cover your additional living expenses if you choose to live somewhere during ongoing work.

Home insurance covers the value of your personal belongings inside and outside the dwelling and detached structures. If they’re stolen, destroyed, or damaged, they can be repaired or replaced up to the coverage limit and after paying the deductibles.

The standard policy comes with personal liability coverage, and it covers the medical bills and legal expenses if someone gets injured while on your property. The medical payments coverage for injuries provides coverage no matter who's at fault. If you're sued and found to be at fault, then personal liability insurance will kick in to pay your legal expenses and the costs of medical care for the injured party.

What Doesn’t It Cover?

Home insurance policies come with a caveat—they do not cover certain natural disasters. The standard policy does not cover disasters like earthquakes and flooding, and if you want protection against these, you need to purchase a separate policy.

Moreover, the insurance company will not compensate for any damage attributed to neglect or lack of maintenance and intentional or mischievous actions. The same goes for property damage caused by pets. Ask your insurance agent on the covered hazards, as these may differ from one place to another.

Learn more about what home insurance can cover by consulting Dewey Beckner: Allstate Insurance. Headquartered in High Point, NC, this local insurance agency has helped countless clients find the right coverage for their living spaces, including condos, apartments, and homes, at the best rates. Call (336) 884-5636 to request a custom insurance quote or visit him online to browse his services and request a consultation.