Many homeowners may ask themselves “what is dwelling insurance?” and, better yet, “do I need it?” But before we get into what dwelling insurance covers, it’s important to understand what a dwelling is.

Your dwelling includes the house you live in and anything attached to the structure itself, such as a garage, deck or porch. It also includes any built-in appliances you may have.

What does dwelling insurance cover?

Dwelling insurance is a part of your standard homeowners insurance policy. It covers the structure of your home, as well as specific perils that can damage your property. Structures that aren’t directly attached to your home, such as a separate guest house, are not typically covered by dwelling insurance, but may still be covered by other parts of your homeowners insurance policy. 

Standard dwelling insurance will cover many of the same perils covered under your homeowners insurance policy such as: