Hazard insurance and homeowners insurance are often mistaken for the same thing due to the similarities they share. While standard homeowners insurance policies include hazard coverage, standalone hazard insurance serves a different purpose.
How do you know if you need hazard insurance? Here is a guide to help you understand the basics:
Hazard insurance can protect you financially from damage caused by hazards like fire, lighting, wind and other natural events. While homeowners insurance includes protection from a broad range of hazards, certain specific events are excluded.
In certain areas where specific hazards like tornadoes or earthquakes are common, you may be required to get a separate hazard insurance policy. This combined with your regular homeowners insurance coverage means you’re prepared for anything.
Another key point of comparison of what these two types of insurance will pay to replace. Hazard insurance typically refers to coverage for the structure of your home, including the roof and foundation. Homeowners insurance, however, includes coverage for your personal belongings and furnishings.
Whether you should have additional hazard insurance largely depends on where you live. In regions prone to flooding, for example, your mortgage lender might require you to get a flood insurance policy before approving you for a loan.
Even if not required, having hazard insurance coverage can give you peace of mind. If you have an additional hazard policy, you’ll know you have financial coverage if your home and belongings are damaged in an extreme weather event.
By comparing the hazard insurance cost with the potential cost of replacement and repairs, you can determine whether it makes sense to add it into your budget. Consult your insurance company to find out what options you have and whether a hazard insurance policy is right for you.
Sergio Evora is a Broker Associate at BrokerNation Real Estate and has been acknowledged as the #1#1 Top Producer for his Company. Sergio was recognized # 1 Real Estate Agent for Total Sales Volume and Total Closed Transactions for 2020, 2021 and just recently in 2022.
With over 28 years of Residential Real Estate experience, Sergio has built a reputation for achieving superior results for his clients. He assists buyers & sellers by utilizing his extensive knowledge of Miami’s investment opportunities, market knowledge, digital advertising, marketing expertise, keen negotiating skills and wide-ranging connections. Sergio’s extraordinary principles and ability to generate successful transactions is leading his clientele to consistently look to him for high-quality service. He is a Member of The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing with access to an extensive referral network.
Sergio’s passion is his family, volunteering, travel and his business.
