Do you know what your home insurance covers? If you're like most Americans, probably not. According to ValuePenguin, 47% of homeowners aren't sure what is covered by their policy, while 52% don't completely understand their coverage. Here's what you need to know about what your home insurance service should cover and protect in your home insurance policy.

1. Structural Damage

Home insurance policies must cover what they refer to as the “dwelling,” or the house's structure. This coverage will protect you against various perils, including weather-related damage and much more. Your policy will list the various things that it does and does not protect against. For example, your policy will not protect against any damage you cause, such as accidental fires.

2. Personal Property

Your home is far more than just a building and includes everything you own inside of it. Your home insurance service should provide personal property damage to protect things like electronic devices, furniture, clothing, and other important items. Note that you can add extra coverage to protect collectibles and heirlooms and adjust your protection as needed.

3. Liability Concerns

A typical home insurance policy also covers liability concerns or things that might happen to others while they're at your home. For instance, if your friend slips and falls and gets injured, your home insurance will pay for their medical fees. If they sue you, your policy will cover losses that you incur up to your protection level. Extra umbrella policies can improve this protection.

4. Additional Living Expenses

What happens if your home suffers a major disaster, and you can't live in it for a while? Your home insurance policy will ensure you have a place to go. They'll not only pay for repairs to your home but also provide reimbursement for hotel costs, restaurant bills, gas mileage, and any other extra living expenses that you incur while living outside your home. This protection can help those with a limited budget survive a major disaster.

This protection level makes a high-quality policy a critical purchase for any homeowner. Take the time to look through your options before you make a call. Then, you should contact a home insurance service about your potential policies to learn more. They can help you sort through your options and get the best possible policy for your home's needs. If you're looking for a service you can trust, contact Heitz Insurance today.