When dealing with a property insurance policy, understanding its various parts is essential. Homeowners' insurance policies typically break down into four main coverage areas: Coverage A, B, C, and D. Each section provides protection for different types of damage or loss. Knowing what each coverage includes can help ensure you receive the compensation you deserve when filing a claim.
Quick Guide to Home Insurance Policy Coverages
Coverage A: Dwelling Protection – Covers the physical structure of your home (roof, walls, floors) against perils like fire, storms, and vandalism.
Coverage B: Other Structures – Protects detached structures like fences, sheds, and garages from covered perils.
Coverage C: Personal Property – Covers your belongings inside the home, such as furniture, electronics, and clothing, if they are damaged or stolen.
Coverage D: Loss of Use – Helps cover temporary living expenses if your home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered event.
If you need assistance reviewing your insurance policy or navigating a claim, Kyle Staggs, Esq. is here to help.
Coverage A: Dwelling Protection
Coverage A is the foundation of your property insurance policy, covering damage to your home's physical structure, including walls, roofs, attached garages, and decks. If a covered peril (such as a fire, hurricane, or vandalism) damages your home, this coverage helps pay for repairs or rebuilding.
Why It’s Important
Your home is likely your most valuable asset. Ensuring your dwelling coverage is sufficient to cover the full rebuilding cost is crucial, especially in Florida, where hurricanes and storms can cause extensive damage.
Coverage B: Other Structures
Coverage B protects structures on your property that aren’t attached to your home, including:
Fences
Sheds
Detached garages
Guest houses
Why It’s Important
Many homeowners underestimate the cost of repairing or replacing detached structures. Without adequate Coverage B, you might have to pay out-of-pocket to rebuild these essential parts of your property.
Coverage C: Personal Property
Coverage C protects your personal belongings, including:
Furniture
Electronics
Clothing
Appliances
Items stored off-site (such as in a storage unit)
If your possessions are damaged or stolen due to a covered event (fire, theft, storm damage), Coverage C helps cover the cost of replacing them.
Why It’s Important
Your home is more than just walls and a roof—it’s filled with valuable personal belongings. Be sure to document your possessions and consider additional coverage for high-value items like jewelry or collectibles.
Coverage D: Loss of Use
If your home is so damaged by a covered event that it becomes uninhabitable, Coverage D helps with:
Temporary housing (hotel stays, rental properties)
Additional living expenses (meals, transportation, storage)
Why It’s Important
In the event of a disaster, temporary housing costs can quickly add up. Loss of use coverage ensures you and your family maintain stability while your home is being repaired or rebuilt.
Why Understanding These Coverages Matters
As a property damage attorney, I frequently see homeowners struggle to understand their insurance policies, leading to underpaid or denied claims. Insurance companies sometimes exploit policy complexities, which is why knowing the details of Coverage A, B, C, and D is crucial in protecting your rights.
What You Can Do:
Review your policy to ensure adequate coverage limits.
Document your property with photos, videos, and an inventory of valuables.
Seek legal guidance if you encounter claim disputes or delays.
If you’re facing challenges with your insurance claim, Kyle Staggs, Esq. is here to help. Contact me today for a consultation and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.