What Every Homeowner Should Know About Their Policy Before Storm Season

The time to understand your coverage is before damage happens — not after. A few key details make a big difference when a claim is needed. Check these items on your declarations page: • Deductible type and amount — Some policies have separate (and higher) deductibles for wind, hail, or hurricanes. • ACV vs. RCV — Actual Cash Value pays the depreciated value of damaged property. Replacement Cost Value pays the full cost to repair or replace (often with depreciation recovered after work is completed). • Coverage limits — Confirm your dwelling limit is high enough to rebuild your home at current construction costs. • Exclusions — Flood and earthquake damage almost always require separate policies or endorsements. • Roof-age provisions — Some carriers reduce payouts or switch older roofs to actual cash value after a certain age. Also ask your agent about available discounts for safety features, newer roofs, or bundling. Knowing exactly what you have — and what you don’t — prevents unpleasant surprises when you need the policy most. A quick policy review once a year is one of the simplest ways to stay protected and avoid coverage gaps.