 TITLE: Step-by-Step Checklist for Buying Home Insurance CONTENT: Decide How Much Homeowners Insurance You Need\n---------------------------------------------\nThe amount of coverage you need to carry is based on the cost of replacing or repairing the structure. This is different from your home's price or current value, which includes your land as well as the structure.\n*   Estimate rebuilding costs based on your home's square footage, local costs for materials and labor, and your home's materials. Local contractors, real estate agents or insurance agents can help you estimate the cost of rebuilding\n*   Conduct a home inventory to estimate the value of your personal property.\n    *   Go through your house and estimate what it would cost to replace everything in each room. Record a video including images and descriptions of items, such as brand names and year purchased.\n    *   Include belongings kept in outbuildings on your property or in an off-site storage facility (some homeowners' insurance policies cover off-site property too).\n*   Look at your budget to see how much you can afford to spend on premiums. Try to find a balance between the coverage you want and the amount you can afford. END