Home Insurance FAQs

Getting a quote is easier than ever—and it shouldn’t take more than five minutes of your time. Just provide some basic information about your property, like the address, year built, square footage, and a few details about your roof, foundation, and security systems. From there, we handle the heavy lifting, matching your needs to carriers that make sense.

The goal? Get you the right coverage at a fair price—without making you feel like you’ve just done your taxes.

When we pull information to provide your quote, it’s a “soft pull”—which means it won’t affect your credit score in any way.

Insurance companies do use credit-based insurance scores as part of their pricing model, but the process is invisible to credit bureaus and doesn’t show up on your report.

Your score stays right where it is.

Pro Tip: Some states, like California, don’t allow for the use of credit information in determining premiums. So, if you’re in California or another non-credit state, you don’t need to concern yourself with this FAQ. 

Think of home insurance as custom-tailored clothing—not something you grab off the rack.

Insurers want to know what kind of home you own, where it’s located, how it was built, and what kind of protections are in place (like fire alarms or security systems). This helps price your policy accurately and ensures you’re not paying for things you don’t need—or skipping things you absolutely do.

Yes, and it’s one of the smartest moves you can make.

Bundling policies (like home and auto) often unlocks significant home insurance discounts—sometimes up to 25%—and it simplifies your insurance life. One renewal date. One point of contact. Fewer bills. Better rates. What’s not to love?

A standard homeowners insurance policy protects you in three major ways:

1. Your home and belongings – Personal Property & Dwelling Coverage for fire, windstorms, theft, vandalism, and other covered perils.
2. Liability protection – If someone gets hurt on your property, or you accidentally cause damage to someone else’s, personal liability coverage is your protection.
3. Additional living expenses – If your home becomes unlivable due to a covered event, your policy can help pay for hotels, meals, and other essentials.

Think of it as financial armor for your most valuable investment.

Good question—and one too few people ask.

Most policies do not cover damage caused by floods, earthquakes, pests (like termites), or wear and tear. Also, business activities conducted in your home might not be covered under a personal policy.

These gaps can be filled, but they need to be addressed with endorsements or separate policies. If it’s important to you, let’s make sure it’s protected.

How much home insurance do you actually need? Well, teh simple answer is, enough to rebuild your home from the ground up—not just what you owe on your mortgage.

We calculate the replacement cost of your home, not the market value. That means looking at labor costs, materials, architecture, and other rebuild expenses in your area. You’ll also want enough personal property coverage to replace everything inside, and liability coverage that keeps lawsuits from threatening your savings.

Insurance isn’t about checking a box. It’s about sleeping well at night.

It’s the difference between getting what something costs new vs. what it’s worth today—after wear, tear, and depreciation.

• Replacement Cost gives you what it takes to buy or rebuild something brand new.
• Actual Cash Value (ACV) subtracts depreciation, leaving you with less.

If your couch is five years old and cost $2,000 new, ACV might only give you $700. Replacement Cost would give you the full $2,000 to replace it.

The difference can be thousands of dollars when disaster strikes. Choose wisely.

Fast, simple, and human. That’s how we do claims. If you call IronPoint.

That said, it’s always best to start your claim with the insurance company.

Call, log in online, or use the insurance company’s mobile app—whichever works for you. You’ll answer a few questions, upload any photos or documents, and your claim will be assigned to a licensed adjuster. From there, they’ll guide you through the process and help get you back to normal life as quickly as possible.

ProTip: The more documentation you have (photos, receipts, videos), the smoother it goes.

Absolutely. Your insurance should grow with you.

Life changes—so should your coverage. Whether you’re renovating the kitchen, installing solar panels, or adopting a dog, your policy can (and should) be updated. Most changes can be made mid-term with a simple call or online request.

When is the best time for a home insurance review? Once a year—or right after a major life change.

You’re never locked in. You can cancel your homeowners policy at any time by calling us or sending us a written (or emailed) request.

Just make sure you have new coverage lined up before canceling the old one—gaps in coverage can leave you exposed and may affect future premiums. If you’re refinancing or selling your home, your lender may also need proof of the new policy.

We’ll make the switch smooth and painless. No hard feelings.

Possibly—but it depends on the type of claim, your history, and your insurance company’s rules.

One weather-related claim in 10 years? Probably not a big deal. Multiple water damage claims in two years? That’s another story.

Some carriers offer claim forgiveness for your first incident, while others weigh frequency more than severity. Bottom line: Claims are there for real losses, not minor wear and tear. Use them wisely, and we’ll help you navigate the aftermath.