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Home insurance, also commonly
called hazard insurance or homeowners insurance (often abbreviated in the real
estate industry as HOI), is the type of property insurance that covers private
homes. It is an insurance policy that combines various personal insurance
protections, which can include losses occurring to one's home, its contents,
loss of its use (additional living expenses), or loss of other personal
possessions of the homeowner, as well as liability insurance for accidents that
may happen at the home. It requires that at least one of the named insured
occupies the home.
The dwelling policy (DP) is
similar, but used for residences which don't qualify for various reasons, such
as vacancy/non-occupancy, seasonal/secondary residence, or age. It is a multiple
line insurance, meaning that it includes both property and liability coverage,
with an indivisible premium, meaning that a single premium is paid for all
risks. Standard forms divide coverage into several categories, and the coverage
provided is typically a percentage of Coverage A, which is coverage for the main
dwelling.

The cost of homeowners insurance often depends on what it would cost to replace
the house and which additional riders—additional items to be insured—are
attached to the policy. The insurance policy itself is a lengthy contract, and
names what will and what will not be paid in the case of various events.
Typically, claims due to earthquakes, floods, "Acts of God", or war (whose
definition typically includes a nuclear explosion from any source) are excluded.
Special insurance can be purchased for these possibilities, including flood
insurance and earthquake insurance. Insurance must be updated to the present and
existing value at whatever inflation up or down, and an appraisal paid by the
insurance company will be added on to the policy premium. Fire insurance will
require a special premium charge, plus the addition of smoke detectors and on
site fire suppression systems to qualify.
The home insurance policy is usually a term contract—a contract that is in
effect for a fixed period of time. The payment the insured makes to the insurer
is called the premium. The insured must pay the insurer the premium each term.
Most insurers charge a lower premium if it appears less likely the home will be
damaged or destroyed: for example, if the house is situated next to a fire
station, if the house is equipped with fire sprinklers and fire alarms.
Perpetual insurance, which is a type of home insurance without a fixed term, can
also be obtained in certain areas.

In the United States, most home buyers borrow money in the form of a mortgage
loan, and the mortgage lender always requires that the buyer purchase homeowners
insurance as a condition of the loan, in order to protect the bank if the home
were to be destroyed.
Anyone with an insurable interest in the property should
be listed on the policy. In some cases the mortgagee will waive the need for the
mortgagor to carry homeowner's insurance if the value of the land exceeds the
amount of the mortgage balance. In a case like this even the total destruction
of any buildings would not affect the ability of the lender to be able to
foreclose and recover the full amount of the loan.
The insurance crisis in Florida has meant that some waterfront property owners
in that state have had to make that decision due to the high cost of premiums.

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