If you’re still wondering whether you really need home insurance or weighing out the potential outcomes of what will happen if you don’t have coverage for your home, know that getting home insurance is one of the smartest decisions you’ll make as a homeowner. By taking out a policy, you’re protecting your property, your belongings, and the people you love. When considering the right coverage for you, a good place to start is to understand your home’s replacement value.
Replacement value versus market value
Your home’s replacement value is one of the biggest factors that affect your home insurance premiums and understanding it can help you find the best policy and quotes from different providers.
Replacement value refers to an estimate of how much it would cost to rebuild or repair your home with materials similar to what was used in the initial construction of your property. Insurance companies determine this rate by using their own calculation tools, the information you provide during your application, and data from third-party companies. They may also get advice from licensed appraisers or contractors to verify their numbers.
Market value is how much a home is currently worth in the housing market (as opposed to how much you bought the house for).
When it comes to home insurance, your insurer will look at replacement value because it takes into account other factors that market value doesn’t consider, including home improvements you’ve made on the property after buying it.
Factors that affect replacement value
The replacement value of a home is determined by several factors. These include:
Square footage
The larger a home is, the more costly it will be to replace it since it’s constructed with more materials and labour.
Home features
Insurers consider the makeup of your home, as well. The number of floors, kitchens, bathrooms, garage, pool, roof materials etc. are typically included in the cost estimate. In addition, whether your home is built on a concrete slab or crawl space, is raised off the ground, or has a finished or unfinished basement may also affect your home’s replacement value.
Renovations and additions
Major renovations made to your home will increase your home’s replacement value. The same can be said for any upgrades, such as marble flooring or metal roofing.
Location
The location of your property can impact the cost of rebuilding the home as labour and material prices and availability may vary by region. For example, rural homes may be harder to rebuild than homes in major cities due to access to labour and materials.
Cost of labour
Insurance providers may also consider the availability of skilled workers and the average costs of labour in your area when estimating replacement value.
Age of the home
Older century homes may have custom details and construction materials that are more expensive at today’s prices, especially if they’ve become rarer over time.
How does replacement value affect my insurance?
Insurance providers use replacement value to set the home coverage limit on your property insurance. That way, you’ll receive sufficient funds to rebuild or repair your home in case of damages caused by a covered claim.
Knowing your replacement value can help you decide on the best policy and coverage amount for your property. It’s important to note that even the most accurate estimate may be inadequate depending on the context of the event, so it’s good to explore options with extra financial safeguards.
Getting enough coverage on your home insurance
Be sure to choose a policy that fits your needs. Note that replacement value is only an insurer’s best estimate; it could fluctuate over time.
Talk to your insurance representative to regularly review your coverage and make any necessary adjustments to your coverage amounts, especially if you’re undergoing a renovation.