April is National Rebuilding Month, making it the perfect time to plan your next home renovation. Whether you’re expanding your living space, modernizing your kitchen, or upgrading electrical systems, it’s important to understand how your home remodel insurance needs may change. Some upgrades might increase your premiums, while others could qualify you for a discount. Here are five key insurance considerations before you remodel your home.
1. Increased Coverage for Home Additions
Planning to add a room or finish your basement? These changes increase your home’s value—and your current dwelling coverage may no longer be enough. Before you start the remodel, speak with your insurance agent.
Reassess dwelling coverage: More square footage means more to protect. Update your dwelling limit to reflect the home’s new value.
Update personal property coverage: New spaces often mean new furniture and electronics. Make sure these are included in your policy.
Review liability limits: Some additions, like staircases or outdoor decks, add potential hazards. Boosting your liability coverage is a smart move.
2. Liability Protection for a Swimming Pool
Adding a pool? It’s fun, but also a risk. Pools are considered “attractive nuisances”—a legal term for features that might draw children onto your property and pose injury risks. If someone gets hurt, you could be held liable.
Your insurance provider may require you to increase your liability limits or add safety features, like fencing or self-latching gates. Don’t skip this step—it could affect your home remodel insurance coverage eligibility.
For more information on liability and pool safety, check out this guide from the CDC.
3. Policy Updates for a Home Office
If your remodel includes building a home office or workspace, your homeowner’s insurance might not cover it. Consider these options:
Add an endorsement: This extends your existing policy to protect business property like computers or printers.
Buy in-home business coverage: If you run a business from home, this adds liability and property coverage.
Consider separate business insurance: For more extensive protection, standalone business insurance is ideal.
Not sure which option is right? Talk to one of our agents to tailor your coverage.
4. Discounts for Safety Upgrades
Not every remodel raises your premium. Some upgrades might lower it. Renovating your electrical, plumbing, or roofing systems reduces the risk of damage or fire—and could qualify you for a discount on your home remodel insurance.
5. Insurance Coverage During Construction
Don’t overlook the risks during the remodel. If your home is unoccupied or under construction, you may need additional coverage.
Builder’s risk insurance: Covers construction materials from damage or theft.
Vacant home insurance: Protects your property when it’s temporarily unoccupied.
Make sure your home remodel insurance includes these protections before the work begins.
Stay Covered While You Upgrade
Remodeling your home is a big step—and so is protecting that investment. Before you renovate, review your insurance policy with one of our experienced personal insurance agents. We’ll help you adjust your coverage to match your needs and keep your home protected throughout the process.
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