Renovating your home is exciting, but it also changes your insurance risks in ways many homeowners don’t expect. Standard homeowner policies aren’t designed for construction, and that can leave you exposed if something goes wrong.
- Your home’s value increases, but your coverage doesn’t.
Upgrades add value, but your policy won’t automatically adjust. If there’s a fire, theft, or major loss mid-renovation, you may only be covered for the home’s pre-renovation value. - Building materials aren’t always protected.
Expensive items like appliances, flooring, or lumber stored on-site can be stolen or damaged. Many policies offer limited—or no—coverage for materials that aren’t yet installed. - Major structural work may not be covered at all.
Projects involving walls, plumbing, electrical systems, or additions often require a separate builder’s risk policy to fully protect the home during construction. - Contractor injuries or damage can become your responsibility.
If a contractor or subcontractor is injured on your property or damages your home and they don’t carry proper insurance, the liability can fall back on you. Always ask your contractor for a certificate of insurance.
Before starting any renovation, please call our office to review your policy and make sure your project is properly protected. Confirm your contractor’s insurance by requesting a certificate of insurance, and feel free to share the certificate with us so we can verify the coverage. A little preparation now can prevent a costly surprise later.