Most people auto-renew their homeowners policy without reading a single page.
I get it. Life is busy.
But your renewal is the one moment each year to make sure your coverage still fits your life and your home. Here’s what I’d look at first.
1. Rebuild cost, not market value
This is the one most people miss.
Your dwelling coverage should reflect what it would cost to rebuild your home, not what it would sell for. Those are two different numbers.
If you’ve remodeled, added a room or upgraded finishes, your coverage may not have caught up.
2. Loss of use
If something happened and you couldn’t live in your home for a few months, where would you go?
Loss of use coverage helps pay for temporary housing and extra living costs. Make sure the limit is realistic for rent here in the Santa Clarita Valley, not a number set years ago.
3. Your deductible
A higher deductible can lower your premium. That can be a smart move.
Just make sure it’s a number you could pay tomorrow without stress. A deductible you can’t cover isn’t savings. It’s a surprise waiting to happen.
4. An umbrella policy
Hosting the holidays? Teen drivers in the house? A pool in the backyard?
An umbrella policy adds extra liability protection on top of your home and auto policies. For many families, it’s an affordable way to protect what they’ve worked hard to build.
The bottom line
Insurance isn’t something you think about until you need it. The goal is to make sure that when you do need it, it actually works the way you expect.
Want a second set of eyes on your policy before it renews? Happy to walk through it with you. No pressure. Just clarity.
Frequently asked questions
What should I check before my homeowners insurance renews? Check that dwelling coverage matches rebuild cost, that loss of use covers local rent, that your deductible is affordable, and whether an umbrella policy makes sense.
Is market value the same as rebuild cost? No. Market value is what your home would sell for. Rebuild cost is what it would take to reconstruct it. Dwelling coverage should be based on rebuild cost.
What does an umbrella policy cover? It adds extra liability protection on top of your home and auto policies.
About Carie & Heber Gonzalez
Carie & Heber Gonzalez are REALTORS® with Equity Union Luxury Properties in Santa Clarita, California. They help buyers and sellers in Valencia, Saugus, Newhall, Canyon Country and Stevenson Ranch. Both are Certified Negotiation Experts (CNE), with 20+ years in the business as a team. Carie is also a licensed California property and casualty insurance agent.
Carie & Heber Gonzalez, REALTOR® · Equity Union Luxury Properties · (661) 732-1278 · @carieandheber DRE #01929961 (Carie) · DRE #01755454 (Heber)
This post is general information, not advice for a specific policy. Coverage depends on your policy terms and carrier.