 TITLE: Step-by-Step Checklist for Buying Home Insurance CONTENT: Homeowners Insurance Extras to Consider\n---------------------------------------\nYou may need or want extra insurance to provide coverage beyond a standard policy's limits.\n**Liability extras**:\n*   If you own property or assets worth more than the limits of your homeowners insurance, _umbrella insurance_ can provide extra coverage in increments of $1 million.\n*   Homes with dogs, swimming pools, jacuzzis, trampolines or other features likely to cause accidents may need additional liability insurance.\n**Personal property extra**:\n*   Standard policies pay the amount an item is currently worth; this may not be enough to replace the item with a current equivalent.\n*   Consider _replacement cost coverage_, which pays to replace appliances, electronics and other personal property with equivalent models.\n*   Standard home insurance typically limits coverage for items such as jewelry, fine art, electronics and collectibles.\n*   If you own valuables that exceed these limits, consider buying a floater or endorsement for the items' full value.\n**Dwelling extras**:\n*   If you have an older home, consider _ordinance or law coverage_, which pays to rebuild your home to current building codes.\n*   After natural disasters, rebuilding costs sometimes skyrocket due to labor and materials shortages.\n    *   _Extended replacement coverage_ adds 20% to 25% above your dwelling coverage limits to cover these costs.\n    *   _Guaranteed replacement coverage_ covers the cost of rebuilding no matter how much it exceeds your dwelling coverage limits.\n*   _Inflation coverage_ automatically increases your coverage annually to account for inflation.\n*   Some policies limit the dollar amount of ALE coverage or how long it can last. Consider extended ALE coverage if your region is prone to disasters.\n**Specialized insurance for disasters standard home insurance doesn't cover**:\n*   _Flood insurance_: Use FEMA's flood map to see if you're in a flood zone and what your risk level is. If you're at risk, your mortgage lender may require flood insurance; even if they don't, it can be a good idea.\n*   _Earthquake insurance_: If you're in earthquake country, you'll want to carry earthquake insurance. You can get this from private insurance companies or, in California, through the California Earthquake Authority.\n*   _Sinkhole insurance_: If sinkholes are common in your area, see if you can purchase this coverage as an endorsement or additional policy.\n*   _Sewer, sump pump, septic tank_ or _drain backup insurance_: Any home can be at risk for water damage from backups. Coverage is available as an endorsement or additional policy and is generally very affordable. END