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Florida law does not require homeowners’ insurance, but if you own certain pets or a swimming pool, some cities and counties require liability coverage, which would pay for non-automobile-related injuries to other people, or damage to their property, for which you are legally responsible
For mortgaged homes, the lending institution will require full insurance coverage on the structure, including flood (if located in a special zone), fire, liability, windstorm, etc. Some developments and subdivisions may also require insurance. The following overview explains the basic types of coverage available, and provides tips for homeowners and renters.
Basic Coverage Available
Depending on which company you choose, you may obtain one of several basic packages of homeowners’ insurance in Florida to protect your home and belongings. Each package protects against a specified number of perils, or events that cause damage to property, such as fire, windstorm or theft.
Four categories apply to covered perils:
- Structure (the dwelling itself)
- Other structures (like sheds and fences)
- Personal property (the contents of the structures)
- Loss of use (also called Additional Living Expense or ALE)
The first three are defined as “property.”
Property coverage helps pay for damage by covering perils to your home, the contents of your home and other personal belongings owned by you or family members who live with you. In some cases, it helps pay for damage to other structures, such as tool sheds, detached garages, small boats, guest houses and their contents. Your insurance agent or company can point out the items covered in a given policy.
Additional Living Expense (ALE) Homeowners’ policies provide additional living expense coverage that will pay some extra expenses if damage to your home prevents you from living there while it is being repaired. Most policies also will provide this coverage when a civil authority (law enforcement agency, emergency management service, etc.) prohibits the use of a residence due to direct damage to neighboring homes by a covered threat.
Two additional types of coverage are known as personal liability and medical payments.
Personal Liability. This coverage protects you against a claim or lawsuit resulting from (non-auto) bodily injury or property damage to others. For example, if a neighbor slips and falls in your house and sues you, and a jury finds you legally liable, this coverage would pay that claim plus legal fees up to the policy limits
Medical Payments. Regardless of fault, this coverage pays for medical expenses, up to the medical payment limits, of persons accidentally injured at your home. It does not apply to your injuries or those of anyone living with you or to activities involving an at-home business
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