{"id":352587,"date":"2017-05-31T17:31:38","date_gmt":"2017-05-31T22:31:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/consumer\/insurance\/homeowners-insurance.html"},"modified":"2024-03-25T22:12:09","modified_gmt":"2024-03-26T03:12:09","slug":"homeowners-insurance","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/insurance\/homeowners-insurance.html","title":{"rendered":"Homeowners Insurance"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\">\n        <h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">Homeowners Insurance<\/h1>\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/oni-harton-j-d\/\">Oni Harton, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/melissa-bender-esq\/\">Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            March 25, 2024\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n<p>Owning your own home is a significant accomplishment. But there&#8217;s also the potential for mishaps to your home and property. For this reason, insurance coverage is critical to protect your investment. Just as you have car insurance or life insurance as part of a sound financial plan, home insurance can also provide protection.<\/p>\r\n<p>As a condition to obtaining a mortgage, most mortgage lenders and banks make&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/owning-a-home\/insuring-your-home.html\">homeowners insurance<\/a>&nbsp;coverage a requirement. Even if it&#8217;s not a requirement, it&#8217;s a good idea to purchase homeowners insurance. Knowing that you have homeowners insurance coverage to help minimize out-of-pocket costs for a wide range of covered losses can bring peace of mind.<\/p>\r\n<p>Home insurance coverage is available in many types. However, a standard homeowners insurance policy does not cover every conceivable peril. It may be necessary to purchase a separate policy for particular coverage options. For additional coverage, you can also inquire about&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/insurance\/insurance-endorsements.html\">endorsements<\/a>&nbsp;to your policy.<\/p>\r\n<p>You always want sufficient casualty insurance. So, understanding your options for coverage and insurance rates that fit your budget is essential. Read on to learn more about products available from home insurance companies, including what&#8217;s typically covered and the insurance company&#8217;s obligations to policyholders.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Standard Areas Covered by a Homeowners Insurance Policy<\/h2>\r\n<p>The best way to know the details of your policy is to read it. Another way to obtain the answers you seek about your liability coverage, exclusions, policy limits, and personal property coverage is to ask your insurance agent. You can determine&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/owning-a-home\/why-to-buy-homeowners-insurance.html\">what&#8217;s covered by your homeowners insurance<\/a>. Speaking with a knowledgeable insurance attorney can also help.<\/p>\r\n<p>The number of insurance agencies and companies can be overwhelming. Several standard areas are covered by a homeowners policy, regardless of where you purchase insurance. But they may be called by different names. Standard policies typically include some of the same coverage.<\/p>\r\n<h3>Dwelling Coverage<\/h3>\r\n<p>Dwelling coverage protects your house and any structures attached to your home. These structures may include:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Garages<\/li>\r\n<li>Decks<\/li>\r\n<li>Fences<\/li>\r\n<li>Patios<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>The typical policy covers your home when various perils damage it. &quot;Perils&quot; means causes of loss. Dwelling coverage does not protect your home from every peril, though. For example, the following causes of loss are typical exclusions from homeowners policies:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Damage from insects<\/li>\r\n<li>Flood<\/li>\r\n<li>Faulty maintenance<\/li>\r\n<li>Earthquake damage<\/li>\r\n<li>Wear and tear or gradual damage<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>It&#8217;s important to know what is covered or excluded in your policy or the policy you&#8217;re considering purchasing. Remember to purchase enough coverage that will allow you to cover the replacement cost for rebuilding your home.<\/p>\r\n<h3>Other Structures<\/h3>\r\n<p>Other structures coverage provides coverage for structures not attached to the home. Such unattached structures may include the following:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Detached garages<\/li>\r\n<li>Barns<\/li>\r\n<li>Utility sheds<\/li>\r\n<li>Playground equipment<\/li>\r\n<li>Swimming pools and spas<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Some policies cover other detached structures. It&#8217;s essential to check with your agent and read your policy to determine what other structures are covered.<\/p>\r\n<h3>Personal Property<\/h3>\r\n<p>Personal property coverage protects your personal belongings in your home or elsewhere. A rule of thumb is that personal property coverage is generally 50% to 70% of your insurance on the house&#8217;s structure. This type of coverage covers things inside your home that may include the following:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Furniture<\/li>\r\n<li>Appliances<\/li>\r\n<li>Clothing<\/li>\r\n<li>Sporting equipment<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Coverage is subject to limitations and exclusions. Certain personal belongings with significant value may require special protection. You can schedule personal property. This is when you purchase optional coverage to your home policy.<\/p>\r\n<p>Common high-value items scheduled for additional coverage include the following:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Fine jewelry<\/li>\r\n<li>Collectibles<\/li>\r\n<li>Fine art<\/li>\r\n<li>Furs<\/li>\r\n<li>Fine silverware<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>They could be covered under personal property coverage but require additional property insurance to cover those items fully.<\/p>\r\n<h3>Loss of Use<\/h3>\r\n<p>This coverage provides the cost of additional living expenses while your home is repaired. This coverage also applies if the home is unusable. The loss of use must result from an event covered by the policy. Additional living expenses typically include the following:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Food<\/li>\r\n<li>Housing<\/li>\r\n<li>Living expenses<\/li>\r\n<li>Transportation<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>These expenses due to a covered loss must exceed normal expenses for these living expenses. For example, this coverage takes care of restaurant meals, hotel bills, and other costs while your home is being repaired or rebuilt, subject to limits and restrictions.<\/p>\r\n<h3>Personal Liability<\/h3>\r\n<p>Suppose you are personally responsible for causing damage or physical injury. Personal liability coverage pays the costs for legal defense and any judgment or settlement for covered incidents.<\/p>\r\n<p>Personal liability coverage would cover accidental&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/owning-a-home\/property-owners-legal-duty-to-prevent-injury.html\">injuries sustained by others<\/a>&nbsp;while on your property \u2014 such as a slip and fall in your home. However, this coverage would not include excluded situations, such as if you are responsible for intentional injuries.<\/p>\r\n<h3>Medical Payments<\/h3>\r\n<p>When someone sustains an injury on your property, medical payment coverage can help. It provides quick payment for medical expenses for minor injuries. However, this coverage does not provide medical payments for family members. For example, if your child and a neighbor were injured while playing in the backyard, only your neighbor&#8217;s emergency room expenses would be covered.<\/p>\r\n<h2>What&#8217;s Excluded From Basic Homeowners Insurance?<\/h2>\r\n<p>As discussed in the sections above, homeowners insurance can cover a range of perils. It can cover you for damage caused by lightning, tornadoes, fire, wind storms, and hail.<\/p>\r\n<p>However, you may need to purchase separate coverage if you live in a high-risk area for a given type of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/owning-a-home\/does-homeowners-insurance-cover-natural-disasters.html\">natural disaster<\/a>, such as wildfires. And you can purchase a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/insurance\/flood-insurance.html\">flood insurance<\/a>&nbsp;policy or&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/insurance\/earthquake-insurance.html\">earthquake insurance<\/a>&nbsp;to cover these risks. A homeowners policy can cover water damage caused by plumbing or heating issues within the home, along with theft and vandalism.<\/p>\r\n<p>Additionally, if a policy provides coverage for personal property, that often includes property damaged or lost even while away from your home.<\/p>\r\n<p>Although you can purchase additional coverage, many standard homeowners insurance policies do not typically cover certain occurrences, such as the following:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Injuries caused by intentional acts of the homeowner<\/li>\r\n<li>Flood and mudslide damage due to rain, snow, and other outside water sources<\/li>\r\n<li>Earthquake damage<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Any coverage provided by your policy is subject to the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/insurance\/what-is-an-insurance-deductible.html\">deductible<\/a>&nbsp;selected for your insurance policy.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Obligations of the Insurance Company<\/h2>\r\n<p>The insurance company must&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/owning-a-home\/what-does-a-home-insurance-policy-cover.html\">provide your legal defense<\/a>&nbsp;for covered events. The attorney they select will represent you against the injured party. However, the insurance company may not have to pay the damages for claims not covered by your policy.<\/p>\r\n<p>Insurance companies must also abide by your state&#8217;s insurance laws. They must act in good faith as part of their contract with you. This includes:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Making a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/owning-a-home\/payment-of-home-insurance-claims-and-good-faith.html\">good faith investigation into claims<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li>Abiding by&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/owning-a-home\/home-insurance-coverage-issues-in-depth.html\">state laws<\/a>&nbsp;regarding marketing practices<\/li>\r\n<li>Adhering to laws regarding underwriting policies<\/li>\r\n<li>Following state law concerning rate-setting procedures<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Each state also&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/owning-a-home\/home-insurance-regulation.html\">regulates<\/a>&nbsp;how insurance companies cancel or refuse to renew a homeowners insurance policy. Usually, the company can only cancel your policy for the following reasons:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>The policyholder fails to pay premiums<\/li>\r\n<li>The policyholder provided false information on their application, or if the level of risk assessment has changed significantly<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Insurance companies can usually refuse to renew your policy once the policy term expires. In either case, the company must give you appropriate notice according to your state&#8217;s laws.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Dealing With a Denied Insurance Claim<\/h2>\r\n<p>If you&#8217;ve filed a timely claim under your homeowners insurance policy, but the insurance company has&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/owning-a-home\/what-to-do-if-your-home-insurance-claim-is-denied.html\">denied your claim<\/a>, you have a few options. You can try to resolve the issue with the company. You can send a rebuttal of the denial clarifying why your claim should be covered.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/owning-a-home\/glossary-insurance-terms-and-concepts.html\">Examining your policy<\/a>&nbsp;can provide justifications based on its language.<\/p>\r\n<p>Your insurance company must pay for legitimate claims covered by your policy. If you believe they have denied a legitimate claim, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the insurance company. Typical claims include&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/business-contracts-forms\/breach-of-contract-and-lawsuits.html\">breach of contract<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/hirealawyer\/choosing-the-right-lawyer\/what-is-bad-faith-insurance-law.html\">bad faith<\/a>. Lastly, you can file a complaint with your&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/owning-a-home\/resources-state-insurance-organizations.html\">state&#8217;s department of insurance<\/a>. They help&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/content.naic.org\/state-insurance-departments\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">regulate the insurance industry<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Having Trouble With Your Homeowners Insurance Policy? Speak With an Attorney<\/h2>\r\n<p>With your home and personal belongings at stake, homeowners insurance can mean the difference between a devastating loss and a manageable inconvenience. However, not all policies provide the same coverage. Some insurance companies may even try to deny legitimate claims. If you&#8217;re having issues with your homeowners insurance, speak with a knowledgeable&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/insurance-law\/-law?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">local insurance attorney<\/a>&nbsp;who can help protect your interests.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-up\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3418)\">\n                        <path id=\"Vector\"\n                              d=\"M6 21H3C2.46957 21 1.96086 20.7893 1.58579 20.4142C1.21071 20.0391 1 19.5304 1 19V12C1 11.4696 1.21071 10.9609 1.58579 10.5858C1.96086 10.2107 2.46957 10 3 10H6M13 8V4C13 3.20435 12.6839 2.44129 12.1213 1.87868C11.5587 1.31607 10.7956 1 10 1L6 10V21H17.28C17.7623 21.0055 18.2304 20.8364 18.5979 20.524C18.9654 20.2116 19.2077 19.7769 19.28 19.3L20.66 10.3C20.7035 10.0134 20.6842 9.72068 20.6033 9.44225C20.5225 9.16382 20.3821 8.90629 20.1919 8.68751C20.0016 8.46873 19.7661 8.29393 19.5016 8.17522C19.2371 8.0565 18.9499 7.99672 18.66 8H13Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\n                              stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><\/path>\n                    <\/g>\n                    <defs>\n                        <clipPath id=\"clip0_604_3418\">\n                            <rect width=\"22\" height=\"22\" fill=\"white\"><\/rect>\n                        <\/clipPath>\n                    <\/defs>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/i>\n        <\/button>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"No\"\n                value=\"no\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">No<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-down\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3423)\">\n                        <path id=\"Vector\"\n                              d=\"M16 0.999995H18.67C19.236 0.989986 19.7859 1.18813 20.2154 1.55681C20.645 1.9255 20.9242 2.43905 21 3V10C20.9242 10.5609 20.645 11.0745 20.2154 11.4432C19.7859 11.8119 19.236 12.01 18.67 12H16M9.00003 14V18C9.00003 18.7956 9.3161 19.5587 9.87871 20.1213C10.4413 20.6839 11.2044 21 12 21L16 12V0.999995H4.72003C4.2377 0.994543 3.76965 1.16359 3.40212 1.47599C3.0346 1.78839 2.79235 2.22309 2.72003 2.7L1.34003 11.7C1.29652 11.9866 1.31586 12.2793 1.39669 12.5577C1.47753 12.8362 1.61793 13.0937 1.80817 13.3125C1.99842 13.5313 2.23395 13.7061 2.49846 13.8248C2.76297 13.9435 3.05012 14.0033 3.34003 14H9.00003Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\n                    <\/g>\n                    <defs>\n                        <clipPath id=\"clip0_604_3423\">\n                            <rect width=\"22\" height=\"22\" fill=\"white\"\/>\n                        <\/clipPath>\n                    <\/defs>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/i>\n        <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n    <span class=\"was-this-helpful__taken-action fl-text-sm-bold\"><\/span>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-container\">\n        <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n            <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n        <\/div>\n        <form class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form\">\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--positive\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Easy to understand\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                        >Easy to understand<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Solved my problem\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                        >Solved my problem<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--negative\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this not helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n                        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Missing Information\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                        >Missing the information I need<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Too complicated\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                        >Too complicated \/ too many steps<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Out of date\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                        >Out of date<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__form-buttons-container\">\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--positive at-feedback-submit fl-button secondary\"\n                    type=\"submit\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Submit<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--cancel fl-button primary disabled\"\n                    type=\"reset\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Cancel<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-times-circle medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message\" role=\"status\">\n        <i class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-icon fa fa-check\"><\/i>\n        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-text\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-section-sidebar\">\n        <div class=\"fl-editors-summary\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content\">\n                    <h2>Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?<\/h2>\n                <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\">\n            \n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"fl-list-style-none\">\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Consumer legal issues typically need an attorney&#8217;s support\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    You can hire an attorney to enforce your rights for safe products, fair transactions, and legal credit, banking and related financial matters\n\n                <\/li>\n                    <\/ul>\n                    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\">\n                <p>Legal cases for identity theft, scams, or the Equal Credit Opportunity Act can be complicated and slow. An attorney can offer tailored advice and help prevent common mistakes.<\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link fl-flex\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link\">\n                <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <p class=\"find-attorney\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/consumer-protection\/#USER_GEO\/?fli=esum:0803\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Find a local attorney<\/a><\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"email-subscription fl-mb30\">\n    <div class=\"email-subscription-header\">\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-content\">\n            <h3 class=\"fl-callout-sm fl-no-margin\">Stay Up-to-Date With How the Law Affects Your Life<\/h3>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-image fl-flex fl-items-end\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\"\n                src=\"https://www.findlaw.com/static/c/images\/images\/w_1200,c_limit,dpr_auto\/f_auto,q_auto:eco\/v1745902396\/ability-law\/wp-prod\/general-components-subscribe-module-Image-subscribeModule_1\/general-components-subscribe-module-Image-subscribeModule_1.png?_i=AA\"\n                alt=\"\"\n                loading=\"lazy\"\n            \/>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"email-subscription-content fl-flex fl-flex-wrap\">\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-content-text fl-mb25\">\n            <h4 class=\"fl-no-margin\">Enter your email address to subscribe<\/h4>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <form class=\"email-subscription-content-form\">\n            <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"distributionList\" value=\"latl\" \/>\n            <label for=\"email-subscription-content-form-group-input\" class=\"fl-text-sm-bold\">Email (Required)<\/label>\n            <div class=\"email-subscription-content-form-group\">\n                <input id=\"email-subscription-content-form-group-input\" name=\"email\" autocomplete=\"email\"\/>\n                <button type=\"submit\" aria-label=\"Submit\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n            <p class=\"email-subscription-content-form-success subscribe-success-message fl-text-sm-bold\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"status\">Thank you for subscribing!<\/p>\n            <p class=\"email-subscription-content-form-error subscribe-error-message fl-text-sm-bold\" role=\"alert\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/p>\n\n            <div id=\"email-subscription-content-form-recaptcha\" class=\"email-subscription-content-form-recaptcha subscribe-recaptcha\"\n                data-sitekey=\"0x4AAAAAAABGBEkK9kEeKxO-\"><\/div>\n        <\/form>\n\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-content-footer fl-text-sm\">\n            <p><a href=\"https:\/\/newsletters.findlaw.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Learn more about FindLaw\u2019s newsletters<\/a>, including our terms of use and privacy policy.<\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"general-list\">\n    <h3>Helpful Links<\/h3>\n    <ul class=\"fl-list fl-no-margin\">\n                                    <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/lemon-law.html\">\n                        Lemon Law\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/online-scams.html\">\n                        Online Scams\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/travel-rules-and-rights.html\">\n                        Rights to Travel\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                        <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"popularDirectory\">\n        <div class=\"general-popular-directory \">\n            <div class=\"general-popular-directory-title\">\n                <h3>Attorney Directory<\/h3>\n            <\/div>\n            <ul>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/insurance-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Insurance Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/bad-faith-insurance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bad Faith Insurance Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/insurance-defense\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Insurance Defense Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/litigation-appeals\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Litigation and Appeals Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/consumer-protection\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Consumer Protection Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/personal-injury-plaintiff\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Personal Injury Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/products-liability-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Products Liability Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>FindLaw.com discusses homeowners insurance. It explains what it generally covers and excludes and what to do if you need help with a policy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41135,"featured_media":0,"parent":352567,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"app\/Http\/Controllers\/Templates\/ArticleWithBreadcrumbsController.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":true,"_modified_date":"","_autodraft_ids":[],"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"_sb_is_suggestion_mode":false,"_sb_show_suggestion_boards":false,"_sb_show_comment_boards":false,"_sb_suggestion_history":"","_sb_update_block_changes":"","_is_real_time_mode":false,"_realtime_collaborators":"","footnotes":"","cf_checklist_status":[]},"categories":[2732],"tags":[],"state_laws_tags":[],"flmsa":[],"class_list":["post-352587","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-consumer"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/352587","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41135"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=352587"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/352587\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/352567"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=352587"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=352587"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=352587"},{"taxonomy":"state_laws_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/state_laws_tags?post=352587"},{"taxonomy":"flmsa","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/flmsa?post=352587"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}