15 guides
Home and renters insurance guides
Plain-English guides to home and renters insurance. Coverage depends on your policy and state. We aren't an insurer or agent, and we don't earn commissions.
The basics
Renters, homeowners, exclusions and liability.
- Renters insurance basics
Your landlord's policy doesn't cover your things.
- Homeowners insurance basics
The parts of a typical policy.
- What standard policies don't cover
Flood, earthquake and wear and tear.
- Liability coverage
Protection if someone gets hurt.
Choosing coverage
Deductibles, replacement cost, limits and quotes.
- Choosing a deductible
Higher deductible, lower premium.
- Replacement cost vs. actual cash value
New for old, or old for old.
- How much coverage do you need?
Rebuild cost, not market value.
- Compare quotes fairly
Same coverage, side by side.
Paying less
Discounts, credit, safety and yearly reviews.
- Discounts to ask about
Many are never applied unless you ask.
- Credit and your insurance price
Many states allow insurance scores.
- Lower your risk, lower your bill
Small fixes prevent big claims.
- Review your policy every year
Before it renews.
Inventory and claims
Home inventory, filing a claim and flood insurance.
- Make a home inventory
The best claim help is done before the claim.
- Filing a claim
Document everything.
- Flood insurance
Standard policies don't cover flood.