Standard homeowners policies cover a wide range of potential disasters, from tornadoes to lightning strikes to winter storm damage. Policies do vary, though, so for your own peace of mind, check yours for the specific perils covered. Learn what's generally covered by each homeowners insurance policy type—and what's not. With escalating climate change risks, rising repair costs, and shifting insurance market dynamics, homeowners face evolving challenges in what is covered — and what isn’t.

Your standard homeowners policy doesn't provide flood coverage

Standard homeowners and renters insurance does not cover flood damage. Find out if you need flood insurance and learn where to get it. It's important to note that, as a rule, homeowners, condo owners, and renters insurance does not cover damage from flooding. To protect your home, be sure to understand the risk of flooding and your insurance options.

Because co-op and condominium owners share their building structures, two policies—a master policy and an individual policy—are required to fully protect all parties involved. Learn more about insuring a co-op or condo.

Yes. A person who owns his or her home would have a different policy from someone who rents. Policies also differ on the amount of insurance coverage provided.

Homeowners coverage provides financial protection against loss due to disasters, theft and accidents. Most standard policies include four essential types of coverage: coverage for the structure of your home; coverage for your personal belongings; liability protection; coverage for additional living expenses

Homeowners insurance provides you with financial protection in the event of a disaster or accident involving your home.

Standard homeowners insurance protections

A standard homeowners insurance policy insures your home's structure (house,) and your belongings in the event of a destructive event, such as a fire.

With burglaries constituting approximately 50 percent of all on-campus crimes, it's important for college students and their parents take steps to prevent theft, adhere to safety measures—and review their insurance coverage.

Your standard auto insurance or homeowners insurance will provide you with some liability coverage, but you may want to have the extra protection for your assets that a personal umbrella liability policy provides.

Title insurance protects you against loss arising from problems connected to the title (that is, legal ownership) of your property. Learn more about title insurance.

Private mortgage insurance (PMI) enables borrowers with less cash to have greater access to homeownership, as it protects the lender against loss if the borrower defaults on the loan. Learn about the circumstances that might require PMI.