Todd Brefeld

In the US, coverage needs start with your home’s rebuild cost, not purchase price. Lenders typically require dwelling protection based on replacement cost.
Dwelling coverage protects the home, attached features, and major systems. Other structures coverage usually adds ~10% of dwelling limits for detached property.
Personal property coverage usually equals ~50%-70% of dwelling limits. Inventory belongings and consider scheduled coverage when jewelry, collectibles, or other valuables exceed standard caps.
Liability coverage can help with injuries, damage, and legal costs, while loss-of-use coverage helps pay temporary living expenses if a covered claim displaces your family.
Standard policies can offer named-perils or open-perils coverage but still exclude floods and earthquakes. Review deductibles and endorsements for likely gaps carefully.

How Much Homeowners Insurance Do I Need?

Recent US mortgage application volume was nearly flat, ↑0.8% MoM, as 30-yr fixed rates inched higher to the high-6% range for borrowers.
Purchase applications posted a small weekly gain, ↑2%, while staying slightly below yearly levels, suggesting available inventory helped support transaction activity in many markets.
More borrowers chose ARMs for lower initial rates, with ARM share at 8%, the highest in five weeks, while 5/1 ARM rates stayed ~6%.
Refinance demand slipped ↓1% MoM and ↓19% yearly, as high borrowing costs left most homeowners with little incentive unless they wanted equity.
A mortgage tracker showed rates kept moving up recently, reaching their highest level since Late-Q2 2025 and reinforcing demand for lower-rate alternatives nationwide.