Home Renovation Insurance

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Insuring Your Home for a Home Improvement Project

man reviewing his home renovation insurance policyWhether you’re looking to add rooms to your home or renovate your kitchen, home improvement projects can be a big investment. That’s why when it comes to planning for remodeling projects or a home renovation, insurance coverage that’s up to date is essential to have. The AARP® Homeowners Insurance Program from The Hartford will help you get the peace of mind you deserve knowing your home is protected.1
 

How Remodeling Your Home Affects Your Homeowners Insurance

Your standard homeowners insurance policy offers many coverages to help protect your home. If your home is destroyed or damaged by a covered incident, such as a fire or lightning, your homeowners insurance policy can help cover any repairs or replacements.
 
Your homeowners insurance policy also includes coverages to keep you even more protected. For instance, personal liability coverage helps protect you if someone gets hurt on your property and you’re found responsible. And with personal property coverage, your personal belongings like furniture, clothing and appliances are all protected. So, if one of your items ends up damaged or stolen in a covered incident, your homeowners insurance policy may help cover the cost to repair or replace it.
 
It’s important to keep your homeowners insurance coverage up to date. If you complete a remodeling project – whether it’s updating your kitchen or installing new siding – you need to make sure you have enough coverage for your home. When the value of your house changes, it can affect your homeowners insurance policy because you may not have enough coverage to protect your newly renovated home.
 
If you’ve just finished a remodeling job, call us at 800-624-5578. One of our specialists can help make sure your homeowners insurance policy is updated.
 

What Types of Insurance Do You Need When Renovating a House?

couple sitting on the porch of their home renovation projectIf you’re renovating, it’s important to know how the upgrades will affect your home’s coverage. For instance, if you’re putting an addition onto your home and increasing its square footage, your existing homeowners policy may not provide enough coverage. When adding onto your home, you should always contact your insurance company.
 
To learn more, call one of our representatives at The Hartford today at 800-624-5578.
 

Remodeling Risks and Costs

There’s a lot to look out for during your renovation or remodeling project. Here are a few things you’ll need to know before you begin:
 
  • Are your contractor and subcontractor both insured? Check for proof of construction insurance coverage with both your contractor and any subcontractors you are using. You’ll have peace of mind knowing their work is covered through the proper contractors insurance coverage while the renovation project is underway.
  • Do you need a building permit? The requirements for building permits vary depending on the town or city you live in. Check with your local building official to see if you need to apply for a building permit for your home improvement project. Sometimes, your contractor will apply for this permit as part of their work.
  • Do you have a Homeowners Association (HOA)? If you live in a community that is a part of an HOA, you may have to get approval from officials before any work can start on remodeling projects.
Renovation projects typically increase the value of your home. Because of this, your homeowners insurance premium may increase as well. If the work you’re doing to your home fixes an aging area, it may help lower the cost of your insurance premium. For example, if you’re replacing an old roof, you might qualify for a lower premium.
 
Other renovations that can affect your insurance premium:
 
  • Increased living space: Adding rooms to your home means you’re increasing the total square footage, and your existing homeowners insurance policy may not be enough to protect the new space.
  • Kitchen and bath: If you renovate your kitchen or bathroom with higher quality systems and appliances, or make them larger, your existing policy may not be enough to match their new higher value.
  • Pools: Installing a pool may increase your home’s value but can also increase liability risk. Your homeowners insurance policies come with personal liability coverage, but you may want extra coverage if you’re installing a pool.
  • Flooring: Using unique material for your floors can make them expensive to replace, which means your homeowners insurance premium may be higher. This helps make sure that if your house has to be rebuilt, the expensive flooring will be included in the replacement cost.
Actual cash value vs replacement cost home insurance

Do You Know Your Home's Market Value vs. Its Replacement Cost?

Your home's market value and replacement cost are two different amounts.

insurance for house being renovated home insurance during renovations home insurance renovation work home insurance replacement cost homeowners insurance replacement cost
Your home's market value is what a buyer is willing to pay for your house and land in its current condition. It's influenced by:
  • Your location, like being near water or on an elevation with views
  • The quality of the local school systems
  • Your proximity to police, fire and medical facilities
  • If you're near stores, restaurants and entertainment
  • The status of your area's housing market
  • Extra structures on your property like a shed or pool
Your home's replacement cost is the amount it would take to rebuild your home with materials of similar kind and quality on your existing property, including:
  • The items needed to rebuild walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, roof, etc.
  • The labor to rebuild or repair your home
  • Clean-up costs and debris removal

How We Can Help

Once we determine an accurate replacement cost for your home, we verify that amount throughout the life of your policy, so your coverage is always up-to-date.
We also offer optional additional limits coverage that pays up to either 125% or 150% of your dwelling coverage limits in the event that you have extra rebuilding costs.
To learn more:

Should I Tell My Insurance Company About My Home Remodel?

With regards to completing a home renovation, insurance companies should be notified. That’s because you’ll want to make sure you have adequate coverage if you’re increasing your home’s value. Once you finish a home renovation project, speak with one of our homeowners insurance specialists to find out how the work will affect your policy. Find your local agent or call our representatives at 800-624-5578.
 
The Hartford is here to make sure your renovations and home are always protected – not just during the work, but long after your project is complete.
 
 
Last Updated: May 31, 2023
 
Additional disclosures below.
Summaries of coverages and policy features are for informational purposes only. In the event of loss, the actual terms and conditions set forth in your policy will determine your coverage.
 
AARP and its affiliates are not insurers. Paid endorsement. The Hartford pays royalty fees to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. AARP membership is required for Program eligibility in most states.
 
The AARP Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford is underwritten by Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates, One Hartford Plaza, Hartford, CT 06155. It is underwritten in AZ, MI and MN by Hartford Insurance Company of the Southeast; in CA, by Hartford Underwriters Insurance Company; in WA, by Hartford Casualty Insurance Company; in MA, by Trumbull Insurance Company; and in PA, by Nutmeg Insurance Company and Twin City Fire Insurance Company. The AARP Home Insurance Program from The Hartford is underwritten by Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates, One Hartford Plaza, Hartford, CT 06155. It is underwritten in AZ, MI and MN by Hartford Insurance Company of the Southeast; in CA by Property and Casualty Insurance Company of Hartford; in WA, by Trumbull Insurance Company; in MA, by Trumbull Insurance Company, Sentinel Insurance Company, Hartford Insurance Company of the Midwest, and Hartford Accident and Indemnity Company; and in PA, by Nutmeg Insurance Company. Home product is not available in all areas, including the state of FL. Savings, benefits and coverages may vary and some applicants may not qualify. The Program is currently unavailable in Canada and U.S. Territories or possessions.
 
1 In Texas, the Auto Program is underwritten by Redpoint County Mutual Insurance Company through Hartford of the Southeast General Agency, Inc. Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates are not financially responsible for insurance products underwritten and issued by Redpoint County Mutual Insurance Company. The Home Program is underwritten by Hartford Insurance Company of the Southeast.
 
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