Nine Things to Check on a Homeowners Policy Before You Sign
Read the declarations page for nine things: the dwelling amount, the deductible, water backup, roof settlement, ordinance and law, liability, loss of use, scheduled items, and what the policy excludes outright. Each one is where a claim quietly turns into a denial later on.
You'll know what's excluded before you sign.
In insurance since 1981Independent agencyCA Lic. 0606906
Nine Things to Check on a Homeowners Policy Before You Sign
Read the declarations page for nine things: the dwelling amount, the deductible, water backup, roof settlement, ordinance and law, liability, loss of use, scheduled items, and what the policy excludes outright. Each one is where a claim quietly turns into a denial later on.
You'll know what's excluded before you sign.
In insurance since 1981Independent agencyCA Lic. 0606906
Which Numbers Matter Most on the Declarations Page?
Three of them decide most of the outcome, and all three are on the first page.
The dwelling amount
This is what it costs to rebuild your house, not what you paid for it. If it is low, every structural claim is settled short.
The deductible, and any second one
Many California policies carry a separate wildfire or wind deductible, sometimes as a percentage. Look for the second number, not just the first.
The liability limit
This is what defends you when someone is hurt on your property. Raising it usually costs little, and it is the limit most often left where it started.
What Are the Nine Things to Check?
Go through these in order with the declarations page in front of you. Anything you cannot find is worth asking about before you sign.
The structure
What gets rebuilt, and how much of the rebuild is actually funded.
- Dwelling amount — is it a rebuild cost or a purchase price?
- Ordinance and law — will it pay to rebuild to current code?
- Roof settlement — replacement cost or depreciated actual cash value?
The common denials
These are the three that show up most often after a loss.
- Water backup from sewers and drains — included or endorsed?
- Wildfire and smoke — what limits or sub-limits apply?
- Wear, settling, and maintenance — always excluded, so know the line.
You and your belongings
The parts that protect your life rather than the building.
- Liability limit — is it still right for your household?
- Loss of use — how long will it pay while the home is repaired?
- Scheduled items — jewelry, instruments, and collections above the standard cap.
Policy Checklist — FAQ
Where do I find all of this?+
What is ordinance and law coverage?+
Why does roof settlement matter so much?+
Can I add water backup later?+
Talk to a licensed agent.
Call or send a note and tell us what you need covered. A licensed agent gets back to you — not a queue — with which carriers can write it, what the policy excludes, and what happens next.
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3910 Prospect Ave, Unit C, Yorba Linda, CA 92886