Common Homeowners Insurance Endorsements

Getting the right homeowners insurance requires a lot of thought and attention. After all, no two properties or the houses on them are alike. It is important that your insurance protect your specific home, belongings and family members. To do so, you will need to customize your policy to your advantage. However, doing so means you will likely need to adjust your policy limits to fit the home and its needs. To succeed, you will often have to enroll in policy endorsements. What are these endorsements? How do they work?

Understanding Endorsements
In simple insurance terms, an endorsement is just a change to your policy. It helps you tailor the standard terms within a policy to apply to your specific insurable item. From the homeowners insurance prospective, you can think of an endorsement as a change you need to make to your policy to make sure it applies to your property.

Some policies require endorsements for routine changes. For example, if your address changes or you need to adjust your coverage limits, then your insurer will add an endorsement to your coverage to make the changes. However, there are more specific endorsements out there. Policyholders might use these to build the right protection into their coverage.

All homeowners policies will include limits on how they will provide coverage. They might not cover certain types of damage or damage from certain hazards. They might also not pay for certain damaged items. As a result, you might find yourself lacking coverage that critical pieces of property need. A mix of policy endorsements can help you add coverage where you might otherwise lack it.

There are multiple endorsement options that you might be able to add to your policy. Your agent is happy to help you do so. However, you must disclose specific property and contents for which you want protection. They will then help you choose the right endorsements. Certain endorsements might cause a bump in your premium costs. However, price increases usually are affordable and quite manageable.

Common Policy Endorsements
Given that they have many uses, there are many types of home insurance endorsements. Each can apply to a unique coverage need on your property. Some of the most common ones you need include:

Increased Other Structures Insurance: Most homeowners insurance covers both houses and structures like detached garages, fences and carports. However, the limit on coverage for detached structures is likely only a portion of the coverage available for the full home. With an increased coverage endorsement, you can raise this coverage limit.
Personal Property Replacement Cost Coverage: If you file a claim for damaged possessions, then you might only receive compensation based on an item’s cash value at the time of the loss. By getting a replacement cost endorsement, however, your policy will pay you based on the cost of a new item. This can help you better afford a new item.
Scheduled Personal Property Coverage: Possessions coverage often does not cover certain items. It might not pay for unique belongings like antiques, collectibles or jewelry. By scheduling this item on your policy with an endorsement, you can get expanded coverage for it.
Earthquake Endorsements: Most homeowners policies do not automatically cover earthquake damage. An earthquake endorsement can extend coverage to the property.
Windstorm Endorsements: In certain communities, policies will not automatically cover wind damage from events like hurricanes. This endorsement will provide adequate protection for these particular weather events.
Personal Injury Coverage: Liability coverage frequently insures the homeowner if they cause bodily injuries or property damage to other people. A personal injury endorsement will extend coverage to allegations of libel, slander or false arrest someone makes against the policyholder.
Cyber Security Protection: Homeowners might become victims of cyber-theft, ransomware, phishing or hacks. This coverage can help policyholders cover the costs of these events and recover from the incident.
Pet Liability Coverage: Your pet is a liability because it might bite someone like a neighbor. It might also damage someone else's property. A pet liability coverage endorsement will cover that party’s losses. Limitations might still apply if you have a dangerous breed or exotic pet, however.
Utility/Service Line Insurance: If your utility lines (power, water, sewer, internet) break, then this coverage can help you repair damage both to these items and other items affected. Coverage will not apply if the damage occurred because of normal wear & tear.
Sewer Backup Protection: Should your sewers, septic tank or sump pump back up and overflow, then this coverage can help you repair damage to your home or possessions.
Ordinance of Law Coverage: Sometimes, when your house sustains damage, you might have to make repairs in a way that keep the home in compliance with local housing codes. This coverage can ensure that you receive appropriate compensation for these changes.

In some cases, your policy will automatically include certain endorsements when you enroll. However, you’ll want to carefully review it to see where any gaps in coverage exist. You’ll be able to see where you might need to add other endorsements to the policy.

Common Homeowners Insurance Endorsements

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