What to Know About Homeowners Insurance Coverage: A Guide for Policyholders


By Michael Giardina, Property Insurance Attorneys at Godbey Giardina Law Group
Homeowners insurance is meant to give you peace of mind. But after a storm, fire, flood or hail claim, many policyholders find themselves asking the same question: “What does my homeowners insurance actually cover?”
At Godbey Giardina Law Group, we represent policyholders—not insurance companies. We’ve helped homeowners across the country understand their policies and fight back when insurers underpay, delay, or deny valid claims. In this guide, we’ll break down what you need to know about homeowner’s insurance coverage, and how our free AI-powered policy analysis can help you make sense of your rights—before or after disaster strikes.
What Is Homeowners Insurance Coverage?
Homeowners insurance coverage is a contract between you and your insurance company that outlines what types of damage or losses they’ll pay. Most policies include:
- Dwelling coverage – Repairs to your home’s structure (roof, walls, flooring, etc.)
- Other structures coverage – Fences, sheds, detached garages, and more
- Personal property coverage – Furniture, clothing, appliances, electronics
- Loss of use (Additional Living Expenses) – Hotel stays, rentals, food, and transportation while repairs are ongoing
But not all policies are the same—and many contain exclusions and limits that can surprise homeowners when they need coverage the most. Every policy is different and you must read the policy to know what’s covered under a claim.
Common Gaps in Homeowners Insurance
Here’s what you should know about common coverage pitfalls:
- Flood damage is generally not covered by standard homeowners insurance—you may need separate flood insurance
- Wind and hail exclusions are often added to some policies
- Roof depreciation clauses can reduce your payout by tens of thousands of dollars
- Named perils policies only cover losses from listed events, not all risks
- Caps on ALE (Additional Living Expenses) can cut off your benefits before you’re back home
How to Understand Your Homeowners Coverage (Without the Legal Headache)
Insurance policies are written to be confusing. That's why we offer a free AI-powered homeowners insurance policy review. Many of our clients come to us unsure whether their policy includes Loss of Use. Insurance contracts are dense, technical, and often buried in fine print. That’s why we offer a free AI-powered policy review for homeowners and business owners. Our tool uses artificial intelligence to scan and summarize your policy, quickly identifying key sections related to:
- Loss of Use
- Additional Living Expenses
- Rental income coverage
- Exclusions and limitations
Although it won’t give you any legal advise on your claim or policy, it may help you better understand—in plain English—what your policy actually says.
What to Do if You Have a Claim
If you’ve suffered storm, fire, hail or water damage, take these steps to protect your rights:
- Document the damage thoroughly – Take photos and videos of every room and every item
- Request a complete copy of your insurance policy – Including all endorsements and declarations
- File the claim in writing and keep records – Email or certified mail is best
- Track all out-of-pocket costs – Especially lodging, food, travel, or storage
- Send us your policy for a free AI analysis – We can even follow up to let you know if your insurer is trying to underpay or deny a claim unfairly
Why Choose Godbey Giardina Law Group
We’re not just insurance claim attorneys—we’re policyholder advocates. We represent homeowners across the country who are dealing with:
- Denied or underpaid insurance claims
- Delays in payment or repair approvals
- Disputes over scope of damage or repair costs
And we don’t charge you anything unless we recover for you.
Request Your Free Homeowners Policy Review Today
Whether you’ve already filed a claim or just want to understand your rights before the next storm, our team is ready to help. Submit your policy to Godbey Giardina Law Group and get a free AI policy analysis and attorney review—so you’re not left guessing when it matters most.
Have Questions About Homeowners Insurance Coverage?
Call us at (985)590-4650 or message us today. We’ll help you understand what your policy covers, what it doesn’t, and how to protect what matters most.