Home Insurance Coverage A: Are You Carrying Enough?
Mistake #6: Not carrying a sufficient amount of Coverage A on your home policy to rebuild your house in the event of a total loss (fire/tornado)
Severe weather and natural disasters can brutally damage entire cities – and in Oklahoma, we’re no strangers to the destructive power of tornadoes and fires. Unfortunately, many people underestimate how costly it is to replace a home if it is lost in a fire or tornado. This week, we’re covering insurance mistake #6 – not carrying enough Coverage A on your home.
Homeowner’s Insurance Coverage A
Coverage A is the coverage amount available to rebuild your house in the case of a total loss. In the event of a house fire, the cost to rebuild can be significantly more than what might be anticipated, due to several factors. Many people believe they can use the existing slab and foundation after a fire, but that is typically not the case. A total fire loss can generate enough heat to damage or compromise the concrete and steel in the footings, slab, and stem walls. Also, site restrictions in an existing neighborhood will likely drive up the construction cost and cause the home to take more time to reconstruct.
In addition, the rebuild cost and the market value many times do not correlate. For example, if you have a 4,000 square foot home that was custom-built in the early 1980s, the market value in Tulsa might be in the low 400s. The rebuild cost in the event of a total loss would likely be over $600,000. Newly constructed homes tend to see more correlation between the market value and replacement cost.
Most home insurance policies do provide for additional or extended coverage beyond the Coverage A dwelling. The additional coverage is typically 25%, but it can be higher or lower depending on the company you use. If you don’t have enough coverage, you may end up paying out of pocket significantly more than your deductible. Don’t get caught in that scenario – your home is typically your largest asset and needs to be protected well. Learn more about the homeowner’s insurance we offer here.
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