Greater Seattle Home Insurance

Dwelling coverage covers the home and anything permanently attached to it.  The dwelling limit under hazard insurance is based on a replacement cost valuation.  

Separate structures coverage covers detached garages, accessory dwelling units, sheds, and fences.  For a HO3 insurance policy, coverage is based on the value of the separate structures.  

Personal property coverage covers your belongings, including furniture, electronics, clothing, kitchenware, etc.  The personal property limit is based on the value of your belongings.  HO3 policies also include sub-limits, which can be increased, on valuables and items that are frequently stolen.

Loss of use coverage covers additional living expenses (primarily a hotel, apartment, or rental home) if your home is rendered uninhabitable by loss covered by your homeowners policy.  The loss of use limit should be based on living expenses and the time it might take to rebuild.  

Guest medical coverage covers medical expenses if a guest injures themselves.  Keep in mind that if a guest holds you responsible for injuries, your home insurance liability coverage would respond, so we consider this coverage to be optional.

Liability coverage protects you financially if held responsible for most injuries or property damage outside of a motor vehicle.  Examples are injuries caused by a trip/slip on your property, dog bites, or while playing sports.  We recommend limits under a homeowners insurance policy of at least $300,000.  

Extended replacement cost coverage, available under house insurance, increases coverage for the dwelling, which can be helpful if building costs increase unexpectedly.  For ERC to apply it is important to notify us of any home remodels.  

Guaranteed replacement cost coverage, available under hazard insurance, guarantees your home will be replaced with one of like kind and quality, regardless of the cost.  For GRC to apply it is important to notify us of any remodels. 

After a home loss, you likely will have to obtain building permits. During this process, you may be required to upgrade your home to meet current building codes.  Ordinance coverage covers these upgrades.  Unless the home is relatively new or has been renovated, at least 10% ordinance coverage under an HO3 policy is recommended, more for older homes that have not been upgraded.

Personal injury coverage covers libel, slander, defamation, etc.  This can be important if you or your family use social media.  This coverage is generally optional on a homeowners policy and automatically included on an umbrella policy.  

If just a portion of your roofing or siding is damaged, and materials cannot be found to match the current roofing or siding, matching coverage, available under home insurance, will pay to replace the remaining roofing or siding to match.  This coverage is typically only necessary for older homes that have not been updated, where materials may be obsolete.   

If water escapes from plumbing, that plumbing typically is not covered under a homeowners insurance policy.  Plumbing coverage adds coverage for this situation.  

Identity fraud coverage, available under house insurance, primarily covers legal fees and lost wages associated with the restoration of credit after identity theft.   

Many Farmers HO3 insurance policies cover water damage to floors, walls, etc. caused by a sewer line blockage.  With Farmers, sewer and drain coverage adds coverage for damage caused by reverse flow from a sump/septic system, or an overfilled septic system.   

Service line coverage provides coverage to repair underground plumbing or wiring, which is typically not covered under a HO3 policy.

Coverage for slow leaks that occur over time, which are typically not covered under a homeowners policy.  

Equipment breakdown coverage, available under home insurance, covers mechanical breakdown, electrical or electronic breakdown, or rupture, bursting, bulging, implosion, or steam explosion of covered home equipment resulting from a covered cause of loss.  Equipment breakdown coverage coes not cover wear and tear.