Homeowner Insurance & HOA Insurance: What's the Difference?

While both homeowners insurance and HOA insurance offer protection, they are not the same. The critical difference between these two types of insurance is what they cover. Homeowner insurance typically applies to the property and personal belongings of the homeowner, whereas HOA insurance applies to the property and liability of the homeowners association.

As for who pays for these policies, the answer is the homeowner. You pay for your homeowner's insurance policy, covering your dwelling as a homeowner. HOA insurance is also paid for by the homeowners who live in the community. Homeowners have a financial obligation to pay monthly dues to the association. The HOA then uses these dues to fund the various expenses of the association, including insurance premiums, among other things.

What does Homeowners Insurance Cover?

Homeowner insurance offers financial protection for dwelling and personal property damage in a covered peril. Covered perils can vary from one provider to another, with the home's location playing a pivotal role in the policy. Most standard homeowners insurance policies, though, offer coverage for the following risks:

• Falling objects
  
• Fire and smoke
  
• Frozen plumbing
  
• Theft
  
• Water damage as a result of plumbing, HVAC systems, and appliances
  
• Wind or hail storms

Homeowner insurance also provides liability protection. For example, if you or a family member cause bodily injury or property damage to a third party, homeowners insurance can offer coverage for lawsuits and damages. Homeowner's insurance typically doesn't cover floods, so most likely, you will purchase a separate or additional policy for those risks.

Homeowner's Insurance Coverage Levels

When it comes to coverage levels, homeowners insurance comes in three forms: actual cash value (ACV), replacement cost, and guaranteed replacement cost or value. Real cash value pays you the amount after factoring in depreciation, whereas replacement cost covers the total cost of replacement without depreciation. Finally, guaranteed replacement cost or value covers the entire cost even if it goes beyond your policy limit (usually up to 20-25% over the limit). Therefore, it is the most comprehensive.

What does HOA Insurance Cover?

Unlike homeowners insurance, which covers an individual homeowner's property, HOA insurance covers communal property. This policy protects the common areas and buildings of a homeowners association.

A standard HOA master policy includes coverage for the following items:

• Liability: If a guest becomes injured on HOA property, the master policy can cover the cost of legal and medical fees.

• Property Damage: HOA insurance can pay for the cost of repairs if common elements suffer damage due to a covered peril.

As with homeowner insurance, HOA insurance can vary in covered risks. Again, location can play an essential role in determining what is covered.

Homeowner's Insurance vs Condo Insurance

It is easier to define and ensure the common areas in homeowners associations consisting of detached homes. But, in condo associations where sharing of many elements occurs, the distinction isn't always so clear-cut. As such, condo insurance typically comes in three forms:

• All-in Coverage offers bare-wall coverage but added protection for appliances, countertops, and other built-in items.

• Bare-walls Coverage covers the structure itself and the wiring, plumbing, and insulation of an owner's condo unit.

• Special Entity Coverage covers all property inside individual condo units but not structural modifications or additions.

As with HOA and homeowners insurance, condo owners should know what their condo master policy already covers to help them decide which policy to buy. Just like homeowners insurance, personal condo insurance offers coverage for liability and personal items.

What is the Cost of Homeowner's Insurance?

The cost of homeowners insurance will depend on several factors. These include your location, home value, the condition and age of your home, the coverage amount, and the provider you choose. For instance, homeowners living in areas with a high crime rate generally have to pay more for home insurance due to the higher chance of theft. Additional coverage or "riders" can also affect the cost of your insurance premium.

On average, homeowners pay somewhere between $1,300 to $1,700 per year for home insurance. While the cost may seem expensive at first glance, it's nothing compared to the expenses you will incur to repair a damaged home or pay for liability. As such, homeowners insurance is an excellent investment to make.

How to Get Homeowners Insurance

When looking for homeowners insurance, the first thing you need to do is determine your needs. What is it that you want to cover? And how much coverage do you need? This will, of course, require some calculations on your part. Determine how much it will cost to rebuild your home, and don't forget to include the cost of your personal belongings. In doing so, you can set a realistic coverage amount.

Next, shop around. Looking for the right homeowner insurance company takes work. And while you will find many online, don't go with just the first or cheapest one. Cheap homeowners insurance does exist, but such policies usually don't provide sufficient coverage. To better compare your prospects, ask each company to provide you with a homeowner insurance quote.

It's also a good idea to research every candidate. Look for online reviews and references. See what other customers have to say about their services and claims process. Some companies make customers jump through hoops to get a single claim approved. You don't want that.

After gathering enough data, it's time to make your choice. Keep in mind that, in the end, the best homeowners insurance is the one that fits your needs and standards.

Do you need Homeowner's Insurance? Contact Us!

Homeowners insurance is something that no homeowner should leave out. Even if your association already has an HOA master policy, you will still need your separate policy. After all, HOA insurance typically doesn't cover individual homes or condos — only common elements and areas.

Managing a homeowners association comes with many responsibilities, including staying on top of HOA insurance. Get help from a reputable HOA management company today. Contact us today!