Well for one unlike auto insurance, homeowners insurance is not required by the state you live in. However, if you are buying a home, chances are your mortgage lender has requested that you secure a policy in terms of your loan.  Even if you do not have a mortgage, look into homeowners insurance; you do not want to watch your investment go up in smoke with no way to replace it.  So what does homeowners insurance cover?  

One of the most common misunderstandings about homeowners insurance is that it covers anything that goes wrong in your house.  It is important to remember that insurance and home warranties are two very different products. For example, a home warranty may cover your air conditioner malfunctioning, while your insurance policy may cover it if it stops working due to lightning strike or theft.

When it comes to homeowners insurance, there are basic coverages that all companies will cover. Often the product name may be different based on the company, what they provide coverage for are the same.

An HO-1 is the most basic homeowners coverage you can get it. An HO-1 will cover the structure and depending on the policy your stuff inside from the following perils or cause of loss:

• Fire or smoke
• Explosions
• Lightning
• Hail and windstorms
• Theft
• Vandalism
• Damage from vehicles
• Damage from aircraft
• Riots and civil commotion
• Volcanic eruption

A step above the HO-1, the HO-2 will protect your home and belongings from these additional perils:

• Accidental discharge or overflow of water or steam
• The weight of ice, sleet, or snow
• Sudden and accidental splitting apart, burning, cracking, or bulging of pipes and other household systems
• Falling objects
• Any damage that is sudden and accidental from an artificially generated electrical current
• Freezing of housing systems like AC or heating

Then the next level would be a more robust policy such as the HO-3 (this is the most common type of coverage), or the H0-5 will provide additional coverage plus what is listed above.

If you are buying a home in Green Valley, AZ, let the helpful agents at Insurance Center of Green Valley find you the right homeowners policy for your needs.

The majority of insurance agencies, including the Insurance Center of Green Valley serving Green Valley, AZ, agree that your home is safer when it is occupied than when it is left empty. As a result, hiring a house sitter is a smart move.

However, a question that both homeowners and the person taking care of the house may have is – what will the homeowner’s insurance policy cover?

Insurance and Your House Sitter

In the majority of situations, the personal belongings that your house sitter brings with them will not be covered by your homeowner’s policy. However, it is important to note, if you hire a professional house sitter, they will likely have a policy that covers their personal items and adds protection for themselves if their negligence results in damage to the property.

What Do Homeowner’s Insurance Policies Cover?

In most cases, your homeowner’s insurance policy will include a limited amount of coverage for things such as medical payments, if the house sitter is injured while performing their job.

As far as your own belongings, there should not be an issue. As long as your list of contents in your home is up-to-date and you have paid your premiums, then everything you have listed should still be covered (even if damage or theft occurs while the home is being housesat).

However, every insurance policy is different, which means that you need to check with your insurance provider to ensure that your belonging and home will be protected – even when you aren’t there.

Special Coverage Considerations  

Depending on how long you are going to be gone, and if your house sitter is part of your family, you may need to purchase a special policy. These are not always necessary, and it is best to discuss this with your insurance provider to determine if it is needed.

You can learn more about ensuring your home and belongings are covered while you are away by contacting the staff at Insurance Center of Green Valley serving Green Valley, AZ.