Home insurance: what is it, types of house insurance & more

Home insurance in India is a type of insurance that provides financial protection to homeowners against potential losses or damage to their property. House insurance policies are designed to offer a wide range of coverage against various risks, such as fire, theft, natural disasters, and accidental damage. Find out more about what is home insurance, its types, and its purpose.

Meaning of home insurance

Home insurance, also known as homeowner’s or property insurance, offers financial protection to house owners against losses and damages to their property. Home insurance covers the structure of the home, personal belongings, and other items such as furniture and appliances. In India, home insurance policies are usually available in different types. When buying home insurance in India, always ensure that you identify what type of home insurance will suit your needs.

Types of home insurance

• Home structure insurance policy
  The home structure insurance policy provides coverage for damages caused to the home’s physical structure. This policy covers the entire structure of the home, including the roof, garage, outdoor sheds, kitchen, bathrooms, and other areas of the house. It is ideal for homeowners who want to protect their property from damages caused by natural disasters or human-made disasters such as fire, theft, vandalism etc.
• Standard Fire and special perils home insurance policy (SFSP)
  SFSP house insurance explicitly provides coverage for damages caused by fire. It covers different types of fire accidents caused by natural calamities like lightning, earthquakes, storms, cyclones, typhoons, floods, forest fires, volcanic eruptions, etc. It also covers damages caused by fire and due to man-made activities, such as strikes, riots, explosions/implosions, missile testing operations etc. In addition, the policy covers damage caused by accident after direct contact with a rail or road vehicle (barring the insured’s own vehicle) leading to a fire. This type of home insurance is suitable for people living in areas that are prone to fire hazards.
• Burglary/Theft home insurance policy
  The burglary insurance policy, also known as theft insurance, provides coverage for damages and losses caused by theft, forced entry, or armed robbery at the house. It covers the loss and damage of items like furniture, valuables, cash, etc., within the house due to theft or burglary. This type of homeowner’s insurance is suitable for people who leave their home unattended for long periods, such as individuals with different summer and winter residences, people who travel a lot, or if the city of residence witnesses many theft-related crimes.
• Liability home insurance policy
  Liability home insurance provides coverage to homeowners for any legal liability arising due to an accidental injury or property damage caused to a third party. If a third party, such as a neighbour or a guest, is injured on the property, the homeowner is covered for financial liability. People concerned about potential legal liability arising from accidental injury caused to a third party on their property can benefit from buying liability home insurance
• Personal accident home insurance policy
  Personal accident home insurance is a type of insurance policy that offers protection to homeowners for any accidental bodily harm resulting in permanent disability, physical injury, or death. The policy covers injuries that may have occurred due to a fall or an accident on the property. It provides financial compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of income, and other related expenses arising out of the accident. The plan is ideal for people concerned about potential accidents or injuries that may result in injury, permanent disability, or death.
• Tenants’ home insurance policy
  Tenants’ insurance policies can be bought exclusively by the tenants who may rent or lease a house for a certain amount of time. It typically covers personal property loss or damage, such as furniture, electronics, and clothing.
• Landlords’ home insurance policy
  Landlords’ home insurance policies are designed for Landlords who rent their houses to others. It provides cover against damages to the structure of the rental property but does not include loss by war, wear and tear, wilful destruction and loss due to property being unoccupied for a long duration. Some plans may also include liability coverage against legal claims made against the landowner by tenants or others injured on the rental property

Conclusion

With several types of house insurance plans catering to distinct needs and goals, one can enjoy many home insurance benefits and save money in the long run. However, it is important to consider the cost of insurance, compare multiple plans, and calculate home insurance premiums before selecting a policy to get the most cost-effective and comprehensive coverage.

Disclaimer- This article is based on the information publicly available for general use as well as reference links mentioned herein. We do not claim any responsibility regarding the genuineness of the same. The information provided herein does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, it is for general informational purposes only. We expressly disclaim /disown any liability, which may arise due to any decision taken by any person/s basis the article hereof. Readers should obtain separate advice with respect to any particular information provided herein.