In the last few years home owners’ insurance has covered less while costing more. Large losses due to hurricanes and floods nationally have led insurers to impose limits on what losses will be paid. For example, restricting coverage on plumbing leaks or damage to foundations. In addition, insurers are eliminating some of the lowest deductible options. Finally insurers are also changing the way deductibles are calculated for certain losses for items like wind and hail damage. A set amount may be replaced with a calculation such as “2% of the insured value of a home.” That could mean that available insurance payout might only cover half the cost of a new roof if the actual cost to repair or replace was 4%. Read your policy before a loss leaves you in the lurch.
