The Most Important Questions To Ask Your Home Insurance Agent

Your homeowners insurance should work seamlessly in the background of your day-to-day life until the moment you need it most—and then? It should deliver exactly the protection you expect. To achieve this, you’ll need to review your policy terms thoroughly and ask your home insurance agent the questions about anything that is unclear or doesn’t seem to match your needs. From there, you can understand whether your coverage meets your needs (and make the proper changes if not).

Essential Coverage Questions To Ask Your Agent

Start with the most fundamental questions to determine whether you'll have adequate protection for your home. These coverage questions form the foundation of your policy and deserve careful attention when buying or renewing your policy.

Questions About Dwelling Coverage and Coverage Adequacy

Ask your agent these dwelling coverage questions to ensure proper protection:

1. What are my coverage limits for dwelling protection, and will this amount rebuild my home completely in the event of a total loss?
2. How did you calculate the cost to rebuild my specific home with current materials, labor costs and building code requirements?
3. What happens if construction costs exceed my policy limits after a severe storm or hurricane?

Personal Property and Belongings Questions

Your belongings are a significant investment that standard personal property coverage may not fully protect without asking the right questions and making informed adjustments to your policy.

Ask these questions about your personal property protection:

1. How much personal property coverage do I have, and are my belongings covered at actual cash value or replacement cost?
2. How do I document my belongings — should I create a home inventory?
3. How do I properly insure jewelry, art, collectibles, or expensive electronics?

Liability Protection Questions

Liability coverage protects your assets when someone gets injured on your property or you're responsible for property damage, making these questions essential for complete financial protection.

These key questions will help in understanding your liability protection:

1. How much liability coverage do I have, and does this coverage protect my assets if I were to get sued?
2. At what point should I consider umbrella insurance for additional liability protection beyond my homeowners policy?
3. How am I covered if I have pets or if I work from home or have a home-based business?

Claims Process and Support Questions

Insurance companies vary significantly in their claims handling approaches and the quality of policyholder support. Understanding their process upfront helps you select an insurer that will support you during stressful claim situations rather than creating additional obstacles.

Ask these questions about the claims and support experience:

1. How do I file a claim if something happens to my home or property and what documentation will I need?
2. How does the claims process work? Is their process streamlined and customer-friendly?

Exclusions and Coverage Gaps Questions

Standard homeowners policies may exclude several important perils, so it’s important to identify those gaps and determine how you’ll fill them to protect against future risk.

Ask these questions about coverage limitations or financial caps/limits:

1. What major perils does my policy exclude?
2. What additional coverages do you recommend specifically for my area and property type?

Coastal Storm Risk Questions

Florida homeowners face unique risks that require specific questions to ensure adequate protection against hurricanes, flood damage, and other regional hazards.

Ask these questions about storm coverage and water risks:

1. How do I get flood coverage for my property?
2. Do I have separate wind/hail deductibles, and how do they work during named storms?
3. What are my coverage limits for hurricane damage, and do they differ from other perils?
4. Is there a waiting period for this coverage if I'm a new policyholder?

Did You Know? According to FEMA, everyone needs flood insurance because just one inch of water can cause $25,000 in damage to your home. Even areas outside high-risk flood zones can experience significant flooding during major storms.

Understanding these regional considerations helps Florida and coastal homeowners avoid common coverage gaps that can result in significant out-of-pocket expenses after major weather events.

How is Slide different?

Slide's approach reflects our commitment to transparency, education, and flexible coverage that adapts to your specific needs rather than forcing you into rigid policy structures.

Transparent Approach

Throughout the quoting process, you’ll have access to decision-making tips and easy to understand explanations so you can feel confident in your coverage selections. If you need live support, our independent agents are trained to educate and inform, not just sell policies. Our agent’s top goal is to help you select the right coverage for your unique needs and budget.

Flexible Coverage That Adapts to You

Customize coverage to your specific needs and budget rather than accepting one-size-fits-all policies. Add or reduce coverage where it makes sense for your unique situation and risk factors. Our exceptional financial stability means we're here when you need us most, especially after major storms when other companies might struggle to pay out claims after a covered loss.

Your Claim, Your Way

When you have a claim, your situation will often require flexibility. Slide offers both live claim support from experts and self-service resources for qualified claims.

Your claim representative will be by your side to walk you through the process from securing emergency mitigation services to understanding your claim settlement.Digital resource options may include digital claim submissions, virtual inspections, and expedited payment options such as Venmo, PayPal, ACH, and virtual debit card.

Knowledge Is Your Best Insurance Policy

Asking your home insurance agent the right questions empowers you to make informed decisions about protecting your most valuable investment. Don't settle for generic answers or policies that may leave you underprotected when you need coverage most.