Frequently asked questions about home insurance

Renting out your property means you need dwelling property insurance to make sure you’re properly protected. That’s true for short-term rentals, too.

Your condo association may cover many of the risks that a homeowner would otherwise need insurance for.

Yes, homeowners insurance covers solar panels – and good thing, too! They're an investment worth protecting.

Get a quote to see for yourself.

Both DP3 and HO3 can cover your dwelling and other structures on your property. However, a DP3 can cover some risks an HO3 policy can’t.

Legally, you might not need it. But if you have a mortgage, your lender almost definitely requires it.

DP1 and DP3 are both dwelling property insurance policies that protect homeowners. However, a DP3 policy provides broader coverage because it insures your dwelling on an open perils basis.

The replacement cost of your home may be more than its market value in some situations. Learn how you can make sure you have enough coverage to rebuild your home after a disaster.

Find out what limits to choose for each part of your policy.

In exchange for a lower premium, the roof surfacing payment schedule endorsement subtracts your roof’s depreciation from your claim settlement for wind or hail damage. Roof depreciation is based on its age and surface materials.

Usually, it doesn't.

Your home’s replacement cost estimate is a calculation of what it would cost to rebuild your home under today’s market conditions.

Trust-owned homes are eligible for coverage from Kin. Get a quote today.

The factors that impact your home insurance premium can vary, but these eight are pretty common.

Learn about the most common home insurance discounts, from fire and security alarms to lesser known credits, like our very own Responsible Repair Discount.

No one wants to pay more for insurance than they have to. Make sure you're taking advantage of opportunities to save on your coverage.

A reciprocal insurance exchange is one way to structure an insurance company. In the reciprocal setup like Kin's, the carrier is owned by policyholders but managed by a separate entity.

The information you need to get a policy can vary by provider, but most want either proof of insurance or your closing disclosure.

A number of communities qualify as secured communities: those with a guard at the gate, a keycard gate, a stationed guard in the area, or a single entry.

Kin's Responsible Repair discount rewards homeowners who decline to hand over their claim benefits to a vendor.

We offer a 5 percent home insurance discount for LEED-certified homes in California.

Find out how to qualify for a security system insurance discount.

A windstorm mitigation inspection shows how wind resistant your home is. It can save you big money on your home insurance.

Inspections are required for some homes, but others can help you reduce your insurance premiums.

A home inspection formally documents your home’s current condition.

State laws often allow insurance companies to review policies after they’ve been bound. The results of this review can result in cancellation if the insurer determines that the risk doesn’t meet its underwriting criteria.

We think everything about home insurance should be easy – including refunds.

This is a small fee that goes toward maintaining an insurance company’s ability to pay claims.

An installment fee is a small service charge to cover the cost of processing additional premium payments, usually on a quarterly or monthly basis.

Depending on where you live, you may see the following fees: EMPA, FIGA, installment fees, inspection fees, and surplus contributions.

We can help you figure out next steps, whether that means rewriting the policy or closing it out.

Find out how to avoid opportunists after a major disaster.

Typically claims stay on your CLUE report for five to seven years.

Knowing when to file a home insurance claim can help you use your coverage more strategically – and keep your rates low.

For some claims, we may send a claims specialist to evaluate and inspect your damages. This is called a loss inspection, and it’s a completely typical part of the claims process.

Learn how to protect your home and yourself from the five most common home insurance claims.

Contact us as soon as you experience a loss you think your policy would cover. You can submit your claim online at our Claims Center or by calling 866-204-2219.

Our claims process is designed to help you recover from disasters big and small, whether that’s a hurricane, flood, or wildfire, or a leaky pipe.

Find out how homeowners insurance claims are paid and how your coverage and deductible impact your final payout

Nobody loves tax season, but it's a yearly reminder that homeownership has its perks.

A home inventory is an up-to-date record of your possessions that can help you get claims settled quickly and accurately.

Homeownership is the epitome of the American dream, and your home is likely to be the most significant purchase you’ll ever make. If you purchase wisely, the equity growth of your home could lead to financial security.