Your home insurance renewal is more than just a piece of paper in the mail, it’s your annual opportunity to review your coverages and make sure they still meet your needs. Here’s a guide to reviewing your home insurance (HO3) renewal offer.
Does Homeowners Insurance (HO3) Automatically Renew?
Many homeowners ask, “Does home insurance renew automatically?” In most cases, yes. But even if it does, your review shouldn’t be automatic.
A few weeks before your policy expires, we will send you a homeowners insurance renewal offer. This gives you time to review your coverages and premium before the new policy period begins.
Your renewal offer includes:
- Your new policy period and renewal date
- Your updated premium
- Any changes to your coverages, limits, or deductibles
If no changes are needed, your policy will typically renew automatically once your premium payment is received by the due date.
If you would like to adjust your coverages or policy limits, contact your agent before your renewal date. Once changes are requested, you’ll receive an updated policy and revised premium for review and approval before renewal.
What Should I Look for in My HO3 Renewal Offer?
Your insurance needs can change more quickly than you think, and your home insurance renewal is the perfect time to make sure your policy still fits your home and lifestyle.
Beyond home upgrades like a new roof or alarm system, consider other life changes such as:
- Adopting a new pet
- Getting engaged or married
- Someone moving in or out of your household
- Starting a home-based business
- Changes in occupancy (e.g., permitting short-term rentals such as Airbnb)
These types of changes can impact your liability exposure or coverage needs. If anything has changed in the past year, contact your agent to discuss whether adjustments are needed.
Here are some things to look for when reviewing your HO3 renewal offer:
1. Review your declarations page
Your declarations page provides a snapshot of your policy, including:
- Dwelling coverage (Coverage A)
- Other structures coverage
- Personal property coverage
- Loss of use coverage
- Personal liability
- Premium breakdown
- Discounts or credits
2. Review your deductibles
Your deductibles are the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance coverage applies to covered claims. These are also found on your declarations page.
Your policy may include:
- A separate wind or hurricane deductible
- An all other perils deductible
Tower Hill offers several deductible options, including fixed dollar deductibles and percentage-based hurricane deductibles. Reviewing these options at renewal can help you balance premium cost with out-of-pocket risk.
If you are looking for ways to lower your premium, adjusting deductibles is a good place to start, as long as the amount remains financially manageable for you.
What’s Not Covered?
Your declarations page will also outline things not covered in the policy.
For example:
- Flood damage is not covered under a standard homeowners policy. Flood insurance must be purchased separately.
- In Florida, certain policies may include specific wind coverage conditions or exclusions.
- Earth movement (like sinkholes or earthquakes) may require additional coverage depending on your location.
If you’re unsure about what your policy excludes, your agent can walk you through the details.
Review Policy Documents and Notices
Your home insurance renewal packet may include additional documents beyond the declarations page.
Be sure to look for:
- A Notice of Change in Policy Terms document, which highlights any updates or modifications made to your policy
- Your Home Valuation Characteristics which provides the characteristics used to determine the Dwelling Coverage (Coverage A) on your renewal
- Endorsement changes
- Important state-specific notices
These documents explain what has changed from your prior policy term and should be reviewed carefully.
Final Thoughts
Home insurance renewal may happen automatically, but it shouldn’t be automatic in your review process.
Take a few minutes each year to:
- Review your declarations page
- Confirm your coverage limits
- Evaluate your deductibles
- Ask questions
A quick review today can help prevent surprises tomorrow.
If you have questions about your upcoming renewal, contact your agent to discuss your options and make sure your policy continues to meet your needs.