Basically, insurance companies write two kinds of policies for homeowners:

• all risk insurance
• named peril policies

All Risk Insurance Policies

All risk insurance policies are also referred to as an open peril policy or comprehensive policies. (All risks are typically HOB and HO3 policy types) vs. (Named peril policies, HOA policy types).

An all-risk insurance or open peril policy covers everything that’s not “excluded.”  Every thing is covered except what is specifically excluded in the policy. The all-risk insurance policy usually costs more than the named peril policy because it offers more coverage and is more comprehensive. Under an all-risk policy, the burden is on the insurance company to prove that the peril causing the damage is not excluded.  If it’s not excluded, coverage applies. Since the limitations and exclusions are the key to determining what coverages are provided by an all-risk policy, it could be called a “named exclusions” coverage. The most common perils excluded in an all-risk policy include:

• Earthquake or earth movement
• War
• Flood, seepage, mudslide, and sewer backup (and sometimes surface water that builds up after heavy rains, underwater springs, groundwater, burst water pipes, overflowing toilets, and wind or wave-driven water)
• Boiler explosion
• Governmental seizure or destruction of property
• Off-premises utility service interruption
• Building ordinance or law
• Seepage or leakage of water over a period of time
• Electrical damage to electrical devices
• Wear and tear; rust, corrosion, fungus, decay, deterioration, hidden or latent defect smog; settling, cracking, shrinking, or expansion; nesting, infestation or release of secretions by insects, birds, rodents or animals
• Damage to building interiors by rain, snow, sleet, ice, sand, or dust unless the roof or walls are first damaged – except damage by thawing of snow, ice or sleet
• Mechanical breakdown
• Theft of building materials and supplies not yet attached to buildings
• Employee dishonesty
• Pollution

Named Peril Policies

Named peril insurance covers only  what is specifically noted in the policy. For example, if it doesn’t say you’re covered for backup of sewers or vandalism damages, you are not covered. The named peril insurance policy only covers certain and specific perils, and this type of policy is usually less expensive  than an all risk home insurance policy.

A typical named peril policy typically would cover:

• fire
• hail
• windstorm
• aircraft
• vandalism
• smoke

Earthquake and Flood insurance are two other common type of named peril policies and are written as separate policies.  When your property insurance coverage is written on a named peril basis, the burden is on the insured.  You must prove that one of the named perils caused your loss

Which coverage is the better choice?  Lenders recommend an all risk home insurance policy.

If you’re paying a mortgage, you probably do not have a choice.   Most lenders require that you protect your investment with a comprehensive policy, all-risk policy.

For others, the type of insurance to purchase should be need-based depending on the type of property you have and your location.

The advantage of an all risk home insurance policy is that it covers you in the event of a loss you did not predict. Even though it will cost more, in a world where freak accidents happen, the broader your insurance coverage, the better off you’ll probably be.

Just be sure to read the fine print so that you’re clear about the stated exclusions.

Ask Austin Insurance Group to compare policy types for you. Or visit The Texas Department of Insurance to see for yourself.

Or get a free review today, call 512-339-2901!