Home insurance FAQs

Yes, you'll need to change homeowners insurance for rental properties. 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.

Getting a roof surfacing payment schedule endorsement reduces your premium because it changes the basis for claims settlements for roof damage caused by wind or hail to a payment schedule based on your roof’s age and surface materials.

What deductible amount you pick for your home insurance policy depends on your finances.

Florida law doesn't require home insurance, but forgoing coverage can create some costly consequences.

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.

Both DP3 and HO3 can cover your dwelling and other structures on your property. However, DP3 policies are designed to protect properties that owners rent to others.

Florida law prohibits insurance companies from nonrenewing or denying coverage solely because your roof is at least 15 years old. The law gives you the option of paying an authorized inspector to assess your roof. If the inspector says your roof has 5 or more years of useful life left, then you may be eligible for coverage.

Get a quote to see for yourself.

Homeowners insurance is not a legal requirement in Florida or any other state. However, homeowners insurance is likely required by the lender if you have a mortgage on your home.

A roof deductible is the amount of money you’re responsible for paying before your insurance company covers a claim for roof damage caused by events other than a hurricane.

Usually, it doesn't.

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

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

The short answer is yes, you can buy home insurance without windstorm coverage in Florida.

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

A fortified roof endorsement is an amendment to your homeowners insurance policy. Getting one can help you cover the cost of upgrading your roof to the IBHS FORTIFIED Roof™ standard after a covered loss.

The Miami Herald reported in late 2023 that the Insurance Information Institute estimates 13% of homeowners in Florida are foregoing homeowners insurance coverage. This is much higher than the national average of 7% going without coverage.

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

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

Homeowners insurance is not required by law in any state, but mortgage companies usually insist you get a policy.

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

Some of the most common home insurance discounts include lower premiums for installing fire and security alarms. 

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.

Location and construction materials play a primary role in determining flood insurance premiums, but insurers may look at other factors.

A reciprocal insurance exchange is one way to structure an insurance company. In a 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 prior insurance or your closing disclosure.

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

Kin quotes are good for up to 60 days.

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.

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

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.

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.

An installment fee is a small service charge that covers the cost of processing additional premium payments.

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

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

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

An option to repair (OTR) provision, if invoked, puts the responsibility for home repairs in the hands of the insurance company, rather than the policyholder.

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.

You can file a home insurance claim by logging into the customer portal or calling 866-204-2219.

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

Using insurance money from a claim for something other than repairs could result in your homeowners policy being nonrenewed.

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

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

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 to avoid opportunists after a major disaster.

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

We use aerial imagery to make it easier for homeowners to get insured and to speed up our claims processing.

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.

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

No, typically, flood insurance on a personal property isn’t tax deductible. Personal lines insurance premiums, in general, are not tax deductible.