Get protection with the home insurance coverage options you need most
Shelter provides a variety of home insurance coverage options. Learn what comes with your home insurance policy, and what additional options are available.
If our home insurance policy isn't right for you, consider our dwelling insurance policy instead.
Types of Coverage
Dwelling
Dwelling coverage applies to your private residence and any building structures that are attached to it. It also covers
- Outdoor equipment permanently attached to your home and used to service your residence and its premises. This includes
- Heating systems.
- Cooling systems.
- Water heating systems.
- Water softeners.
- On-site construction material you plan to permanently attach to your residence.
- Working outdoor antennas or reception dishes.
Other Structures
Other structures coverage applies to structures that are permanently attached to the premises, but not to your dwelling. Examples include fences and sheds.
This coverage doesn't apply to outdoor radio or television equipment or structures that are used for business purposes.
Personal Property
Personal property coverage applies to the contents of your home and other structures. If your property is somewhere other than where you live – like a vacation home – it will still be covered (although at a reduced limit).
For property that has a special value or is unique, we provide special coverage limits. Property that falls within this category includes
- Money, bank notes, bullion, coins, and medals.
- Securities, stamps, tickets, deeds, and passports.
- Jewelry, watches, furs, and gold (if stolen).
- Silverware and gold ware (if stolen).
- Business property on- or off-premises.
If personal property coverage isn't sufficient for your needs, it may make sense to insure these items with a personal articles insurance policy.
Additional Living Expenses
Your property may be unlivable due to a fire or another covered loss. If so, additional living expenses coverage will reimburse you for the increased cost of living away from home. If you use the property to earn rental income (such as from a rented room or basement), we will reimburse you for the lost income for the time that part of the premises is unlivable.
Personal Liability
Liability coverage will help you pay for bodily injury and property damage that you are legally liable to pay. For example, if your child breaks the neighbor's window playing baseball, or if a visitor slips and falls on your icy sidewalk, your personal liability coverage can help protect you.
Medical Payments
Medical payments coverage will help you pay for reasonable medical payments if someone is accidentally hurt or injured
- While on your property.
- Through some activity that involves you or your family members.
Medical payments coverage will not apply to injuries sustained by you or members of your family who live with you.
Debris Removal
Debris removal coverage pays the reasonable expenses to remove debris following a covered loss.
Emergency Removal of Property
Emergency removal of property coverage pays for damage to covered property that happens while you're trying to remove it in an emergency.
Necessary Repairs after Loss
It may be necessary to protect covered property from additional damage following a loss. This coverage pays for the cost of those repairs.
Fire Department Charges
Fire department charges coverage will reimburse you up to $500 of service charges if a fire department is called to protect your covered property.
Trees, Shrubs, Plants, and Lawns
Trees, shrubs, plants, and lawns coverage will pay for a loss, caused by certain perils, to trees, shrubs, plants, and lawns at your residence.
Credit Card Fraud and Check Forgery
Credit card fraud and check forgery coverage pays up to $1,000 for any liability resulting from the unauthorized use of your credit cards or from check forgery.
Property Damage
Property damage coverage pays for damage you cause to the property of others.
Family Liability
The liability coverage in your home insurance policy applies to your liability for you and your resident family members.
Legal Action
The liability coverage in your home insurance policy covers all costs we incur in the settlement of any claim or defense of any suit. In some cases, we will also cover
- Interest on damages
- Court costs
- Expenses you incur at our request during the defense of a lawsuit
- The cost of appeal bonds
Additional Coverage Options
The following coverage options can be added to your home insurance policy:
- Certain businesses located on your premises
- Certain farming activities
- Additional premises
- Earthquake damage
- Protection from inflation, ensuring your home's insured value is as close as possible to its restoration cost
- Increased personal computer coverage
- Docks and piers
- Your liability and medical bills related to certain watercraft activities
- Damage caused by a sewer or drain backup
- Claims brought against you for malicious prosecution and slander
- Identity fraud
Additional coverage options may vary by state. See an agent for details.
The product information contained on this website is informational only and not a statement of contract. All coverage options are subject to the provisions of the policy purchased and details of the policyholder's situation.