Personal possessions and home insurance

Did you know that basic homeowners insurance may not fully cover expensive personal possessions inside a home?

The list of items that may not be fully covered can include:

• Jewelry
• Fine art
• Furs
• Silverware
• Some electronic equipment
• Other precious items

The above list is a good reference, but policies do vary. Check the terms and conditions of your currrent homeowners insurance policy to be certain what may or may not be covered.

There may be limits on some items and also be aware of language in your policy regarding “replacement cost” or “actual cash value.” These can end up being very different numbers in some instances. Depending on your possessions and your policy, you may want to consider purchasing additional replacement cost insurance on your personal possessions.

It is also recommended to keep an up-to-date inventory of personal possessions at all times. The Insurance Information Institute offers a free, secure home inventory software at KnowYourStuff.org.