Homeowner's insurance protects against damage to your home and belongings (furniture, appliances, clothing, jewelry) from hazards such as:
• Fire and smoke
• Windstorm or hail
• Theft
• Falling objects (trees, power lines)
• Frozen plumbing
• Water damage caused by plumbing, water heater, appliances, and heating and cooling systems
• Vandalism
Your homeowner's policy may also protect you against claims you are liable for someone else's injuries or property damage—such as if your dog bites a guest at your home—and may cover you for claims that occur away from your home, such as if your dog bites someone at the dog park.
Some homeowner's policies may provide other structures coverage to repair or replace structures on your property that are not attached to your house—such as a garage, shed, or fence.
Your homeowner's policy may provide loss of use coverage and pay your additional living expenses (rent, food) if you have to move out of your house while it is being repaired, for example.
You may need a special provision in your homeowner's policy (an endorsement) to insure against the loss of expensive jewelry such as engagement and wedding rings, watches, diamond bracelets, etc.
In Texas, homeowner's insurance typically covers damage to the home and personal belongings due to a variety of hazards, including fire, smoke, windstorms, hail, theft, falling objects, frozen plumbing, and water damage from household systems. It also often includes liability coverage for injuries or property damage caused by the homeowner or their pets, both on and off the property. Coverage for other structures on the property, such as garages and sheds, is usually available, as is loss of use coverage, which helps with living expenses if the home is uninhabitable during repairs. For high-value items like expensive jewelry, a special endorsement may be required to provide adequate coverage. Texas law does not mandate homeowners to carry insurance, but mortgage lenders typically require it. Policyholders should review their policies carefully and consider additional coverage based on their specific needs and the likelihood of certain events in their area.
