Insurance FAQ
Plain-language answers to common questions about personal insurance in Pennsylvania.
Choose a product type below. Each question is closed by default; select the plus sign to read an answer. You may open as many answers as you like.
Homeowners Insurance
What does homeowners insurance generally cover?
A homeowners policy commonly combines coverage for the house, other structures, personal belongings, extra living costs after certain covered losses, and personal liability. The exact protection depends on the policy form, limits, exclusions, and endorsements.
Example: After a covered kitchen fire, the policy may help repair the home, replace damaged belongings, and pay certain additional living costs while repairs are made.
What is dwelling coverage?
Dwelling coverage applies to the home itself and certain attached structures. Its limit should reflect the estimated cost to rebuild—not simply the home’s market price or mortgage balance.
Example: Rebuilding costs can rise even when a home’s sale price has not changed, so it is helpful to review the dwelling limit regularly.
Is water backup the same as flood?
No. Water or sewage backing up through a drain or sump is different from surface water entering from outside. Water-backup protection often requires an endorsement, while flood insurance is generally a separate policy.
Example: A failed sump pump and an overflowing creek can cause similar damage but may be handled under different coverage.
What is the difference between replacement cost and actual cash value?
Replacement cost generally looks at the cost to repair or replace damaged property with similar new property, subject to policy conditions. Actual cash value generally subtracts for age, wear, or depreciation.
Example: If an older television is destroyed in a covered loss, replacement-cost coverage may consider the cost of a similar new television; actual-cash-value coverage may pay less because the original was older.
Important Information
This FAQ provides general educational information only. It is not a quote, binder, offer of insurance, coverage determination, warranty or guarantee of coverage or claim payment, legal opinion, or individualized insurance advice.
Insurance products, eligibility, pricing, terms, limits, deductibles, exclusions, discounts, and availability vary by insurer and by risk. Coverage is subject to underwriting approval. Your actual declarations, forms, endorsements, exclusions, conditions, and applicable law control if this page differs from them, and the insurer determines coverage and claims based on the facts and policy.
Please review your own policy and consult your insurance provider or a licensed insurance agent about your circumstances. For legal advice, consult a qualified attorney.
Personal Auto Insurance
What can a personal auto policy include?
A personal auto policy can combine coverage for injuries or property damage you cause, damage to your own vehicle, medical expenses, uninsured or underinsured drivers, and other needs. Your declarations page shows the coverages and limits you selected.
Example: Liability may pay for damage you cause to others, while collision may help repair your own vehicle after a covered crash.
What is the difference between collision and comprehensive coverage?
Collision can help repair or replace your vehicle after it hits another vehicle or object or overturns. Comprehensive, sometimes called other-than-collision, can help with covered damage from theft, vandalism, fire, hail, falling objects, or contact with an animal.
Example: Hitting a guardrail may fall under collision; damage from a falling tree branch may fall under comprehensive.
What are uninsured and underinsured motorist coverages?
Uninsured-motorist coverage can help with covered injuries caused by a driver with no insurance or certain hit-and-run drivers. Underinsured-motorist coverage can help when the at-fault driver’s liability limit is not enough. In Pennsylvania, these coverages generally apply to injuries rather than damage to your car.
What is limited tort versus full tort in Pennsylvania?
This selection affects the circumstances in which you may seek certain non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, after an auto accident. Full tort generally preserves broader rights; limited tort generally costs less but restricts those rights, subject to legal exceptions.
Example: This choice can matter long after the policy is purchased, so review the official notice and discuss questions with a licensed insurance professional or attorney.
Important Information
This FAQ provides general educational information only. It is not a quote, binder, offer of insurance, coverage determination, warranty or guarantee of coverage or claim payment, legal opinion, or individualized insurance advice.
Insurance products, eligibility, pricing, terms, limits, deductibles, exclusions, discounts, and availability vary by insurer and by risk. Coverage is subject to underwriting approval. Your actual declarations, forms, endorsements, exclusions, conditions, and applicable law control if this page differs from them, and the insurer determines coverage and claims based on the facts and policy.
Please review your own policy and consult your insurance provider or a licensed insurance agent about your circumstances. For legal advice, consult a qualified attorney.
Condo Insurance
What is condo insurance?
Condo insurance is designed for unit owners. It can cover personal belongings, parts of the unit the owner is responsible for, additional living expenses, personal liability, and certain assessments.
Example: The association’s master policy may cover the building exterior, while your condo policy may cover interior improvements and your belongings.
What is an HO-6 policy?
HO-6 is a common name for a condominium unit-owner policy. It is designed to work alongside the association’s master policy and may include building property, personal property, loss of use, liability, medical payments, and loss-assessment coverage.
What is loss-assessment coverage?
Loss-assessment coverage may help when a condo or homeowners association charges owners for certain covered property or liability losses. It applies only in situations described by the policy and is subject to a limit.
Example: If an association’s covered claim exceeds its insurance limit, it may assess unit owners; an owner’s policy may respond if the assessment meets its terms.
Important Information
This FAQ provides general educational information only. It is not a quote, binder, offer of insurance, coverage determination, warranty or guarantee of coverage or claim payment, legal opinion, or individualized insurance advice.
Insurance products, eligibility, pricing, terms, limits, deductibles, exclusions, discounts, and availability vary by insurer and by risk. Coverage is subject to underwriting approval. Your actual declarations, forms, endorsements, exclusions, conditions, and applicable law control if this page differs from them, and the insurer determines coverage and claims based on the facts and policy.
Please review your own policy and consult your insurance provider or a licensed insurance agent about your circumstances. For legal advice, consult a qualified attorney.
Renters Insurance
What is renters insurance?
Renters insurance can cover a tenant’s belongings, additional living expenses after certain covered losses, and personal liability. The landlord’s policy generally covers the building, not the tenant’s belongings or liability.
Example: If a covered fire damages your furniture and temporarily displaces you, renters insurance may help replace belongings and pay certain added living costs.
Does a roommate’s renters policy cover me?
Not necessarily. Coverage generally depends on who qualifies as an insured or is named on the policy. Roommates should confirm their own status rather than assume they share coverage.
Important Information
This FAQ provides general educational information only. It is not a quote, binder, offer of insurance, coverage determination, warranty or guarantee of coverage or claim payment, legal opinion, or individualized insurance advice.
Insurance products, eligibility, pricing, terms, limits, deductibles, exclusions, discounts, and availability vary by insurer and by risk. Coverage is subject to underwriting approval. Your actual declarations, forms, endorsements, exclusions, conditions, and applicable law control if this page differs from them, and the insurer determines coverage and claims based on the facts and policy.
Please review your own policy and consult your insurance provider or a licensed insurance agent about your circumstances. For legal advice, consult a qualified attorney.
Landlord and Rental Property Insurance
What is landlord or rental-dwelling insurance?
This coverage is designed for a home the owner rents to others. It can cover the building, certain owner-owned property, landlord liability, and optional loss-of-rents coverage, depending on the policy.
Example: A house rented to a tenant usually needs a rental-dwelling policy rather than a standard owner-occupied homeowners policy.
What is loss-of-rents coverage?
Loss-of-rents coverage may replace qualifying rental income when a covered loss makes the property unfit to rent. It does not cover every vacancy or a tenant who simply stops paying.
Example: If a covered fire forces a tenant to move out during repairs, the policy may reimburse rental income for a limited period.
Does landlord insurance cover a tenant’s belongings?
Generally, no. Tenants need their own renters insurance for belongings, additional living expenses, and personal liability.
Why should a landlord disclose vacancy, short-term rental, or renovation?
How a property is occupied can change eligibility and coverage. A long vacancy, short-term rental, major renovation, or change in use should be discussed promptly with the agent or insurer.
Example: A property being renovated between tenants may need different coverage from a fully occupied long-term rental.
Important Information
This FAQ provides general educational information only. It is not a quote, binder, offer of insurance, coverage determination, warranty or guarantee of coverage or claim payment, legal opinion, or individualized insurance advice.
Insurance products, eligibility, pricing, terms, limits, deductibles, exclusions, discounts, and availability vary by insurer and by risk. Coverage is subject to underwriting approval. Your actual declarations, forms, endorsements, exclusions, conditions, and applicable law control if this page differs from them, and the insurer determines coverage and claims based on the facts and policy.
Please review your own policy and consult your insurance provider or a licensed insurance agent about your circumstances. For legal advice, consult a qualified attorney.
Personal Umbrella Insurance
What is personal umbrella insurance?
A personal umbrella policy provides additional personal liability protection above specified home, auto, or other underlying policies. It may also cover some personal liability situations not covered by an underlying policy, subject to its own terms.
Example: If a covered auto liability claim exceeds your auto policy’s limit, an umbrella policy may respond above that limit.
Does an umbrella policy cover every large loss?
No. Umbrella policies have exclusions and generally do not cover damage to your own property, ordinary business risks, or every intentional act. They also require certain underlying policies and minimum limits.
Why must underlying limits be coordinated with an umbrella?
The umbrella insurer usually requires minimum home and auto liability limits. If those limits are not maintained, you may have to absorb the gap before the umbrella responds.
Example: Review underlying limits whenever you change a home or auto carrier so the umbrella requirements remain satisfied.
Important Information
This FAQ provides general educational information only. It is not a quote, binder, offer of insurance, coverage determination, warranty or guarantee of coverage or claim payment, legal opinion, or individualized insurance advice.
Insurance products, eligibility, pricing, terms, limits, deductibles, exclusions, discounts, and availability vary by insurer and by risk. Coverage is subject to underwriting approval. Your actual declarations, forms, endorsements, exclusions, conditions, and applicable law control if this page differs from them, and the insurer determines coverage and claims based on the facts and policy.
Please review your own policy and consult your insurance provider or a licensed insurance agent about your circumstances. For legal advice, consult a qualified attorney.
Common Insurance Terms
What is a premium?
A premium is the price you pay for insurance. It may be billed monthly, at another interval, or for the full policy term.
What is a deductible?
A deductible is the portion of a covered loss you pay before the policy pays. Some policies have different deductibles for different types of loss.
Example: If a covered repair costs $6,000 and your deductible is $1,000, the insurer may pay up to $5,000, subject to the policy’s terms and limits.
What is a coverage limit?
A limit is the most the policy will pay for a particular coverage or loss. A policy can have several limits, and some items may also have smaller special limits.
What is an exclusion?
An exclusion describes a loss, property, person, or situation the policy does not cover. Exclusions help define the boundaries of the contract.
Example: Standard home and renters policies generally do not cover flood damage, so separate flood coverage may be needed.
What is an endorsement?
An endorsement changes the standard policy. It may add coverage, remove coverage, change a limit, or revise a definition or condition.
Example: A water-backup endorsement may add protection that the base home policy does not include.
What is a declarations page?
The declarations page summarizes key details such as the named insured, covered property or vehicles, policy dates, limits, deductibles, and premium. It is a useful starting point, but it is not the entire contract.
Important Information
This FAQ provides general educational information only. It is not a quote, binder, offer of insurance, coverage determination, warranty or guarantee of coverage or claim payment, legal opinion, or individualized insurance advice.
Insurance products, eligibility, pricing, terms, limits, deductibles, exclusions, discounts, and availability vary by insurer and by risk. Coverage is subject to underwriting approval. Your actual declarations, forms, endorsements, exclusions, conditions, and applicable law control if this page differs from them, and the insurer determines coverage and claims based on the facts and policy.
Please review your own policy and consult your insurance provider or a licensed insurance agent about your circumstances. For legal advice, consult a qualified attorney.
Claims and Policy Changes
What is a claim?
A claim is a request for the insurer to review a loss under the policy. Reporting a claim does not guarantee payment; the insurer investigates the facts and applies the policy’s terms, conditions, limits, deductibles, and exclusions.
What should I do after a loss?
Protect people first, contact emergency services when needed, and take reasonable steps to prevent further damage if it is safe. Photograph the damage, keep receipts, preserve damaged property when possible, and report the loss promptly.
Example: After a pipe breaks, shut off the water if safe, call for emergency help, document the damage, and keep receipts for temporary repairs.
Should I begin repairs before the insurer inspects?
Emergency work to prevent further damage may be necessary, but permanent repairs should generally wait until you understand the insurer’s process. Keep damaged items, photos, estimates, and receipts whenever possible.
What is the difference between a quote, binder, and policy?
A quote is an estimate based on information provided and is not coverage. A binder is temporary evidence of coverage when issued by an authorized party. The policy is the final contract and controls the coverage.
Important Information
This FAQ provides general educational information only. It is not a quote, binder, offer of insurance, coverage determination, warranty or guarantee of coverage or claim payment, legal opinion, or individualized insurance advice.
Insurance products, eligibility, pricing, terms, limits, deductibles, exclusions, discounts, and availability vary by insurer and by risk. Coverage is subject to underwriting approval. Your actual declarations, forms, endorsements, exclusions, conditions, and applicable law control if this page differs from them, and the insurer determines coverage and claims based on the facts and policy.
Please review your own policy and consult your insurance provider or a licensed insurance agent about your circumstances. For legal advice, consult a qualified attorney.