Home Insurance in New Jersey

The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) is the state's regulatory body for all home insurance products. There are over 3.7 million homeowners in New Jersey who are in need of home insurance policies to protect their structures and personal belongings. Home insurance protects residents against damages to their homes and personal belongings due to covered perils. It also protects them financially when accidents happen to third parties in their home. Additionally, home insurance covers the living expenses of New Jersey residents when their homes become uninhabitable due to covered losses, necessitating the need to find temporary apartments. Typically, home insurance policies do not cover damages caused by war, flood, earthquake, and intentional acts caused by the homeowner or the residents of the home. Although New Jersey laws do not mandate home insurance, your mortgage lender might require you to have it.

Generally, the type of residential insurance policy to purchase depends on your home and whether you own the property or it is rented. For instance, if you rent your apartment out to people, you should get landlord insurance, not renters insurance. Likewise, if you live in a condominium, you should get condo insurance, not homeowners coverage. However, you should get renters insurance if you live in a rented apartment. In addition, you should get homeowners insurance as soon as you sign a contract to buy a home.

If you are unsure about the right residential property insurance to purchase, speak with a New Jersey-licensed property & casualty (P&C) insurance agent. They can help you compare homeowners insurance quotes from several insurers in the state and ensure you settle for an affordable policy that suits your needs. Generally, insurance agents can provide answers to your homeowners insurance questions and ensure you make the right insurance decisions. Their services do not cost anything to you, as they are paid by whatever insurer you end up choosing.

Why Do we Need Residential Property Insurance in New Jersey?

As of 2021, New Jersey was home to over 9.2 million people who lived in more than 3.7 million housing units. In 2020, about 64% of the housing units in New Jersey were owner-occupied, and 36% were for rent.

The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development published the 2020/2021 annual estimates of housing units for counties in New Jersey. Several counties in the state have most of their housing units as owner-occupied. For instance, Hunterdon County has up to 83.9% of its housing units owner-occupied. On the other hand, the county with the highest number of renters is Hudson County which has 67.6% of its housing units as rental homes. Therefore, owners and renters of these housing units should consider purchasing residential insurance to protect their structures and personal belongings from possible loss or damage.

Below are some reasons you need residential property insurance in New Jersey:

• Liability coverage: It covers bodily injuries and property damages incurred by guests and other third parties while on your property. Residential property insurance also protects against third-party lawsuits

• Natural disaster coverage: Residential property insurance covers losses and damages caused by certain natural disasters like wildfire, windstorms or hail, hurricanes, lightning, and volcanic eruptions. However, it excludes damages resulting from floods or earthquakes

• Man-made disaster coverage: Residential property insurance covers man-made hazards and anti-social activities like theft, vandalism, strikes, riots, and other activities caused by malicious intent

• Additional living expenses: If an insured’s house becomes uninhabitable due to damages from a covered peril, residential property insurance will cover the costs of getting a temporary accommodation while the insured’s home is undergoing repair

• Personal belongings coverage: Residential property insurance covers valuable and expensive personal possessions like art, jewelry, clothing, appliances, and furniture

• Makes it easier to get loans: Most mortgage lenders require that you have a residential insurance policy before sealing a mortgage deal

How Does Residential Property Insurance Work in New Jersey?

The New Jersey Office of Property and Casualty of the Department of Banking and Insurance regulates residential property insurance policies in the state. There are over 1,000 licensed insurers in New Jersey, and over 60 of them are property & casualty (P&C) insurers. These P&C insurers have written more than $24 billion in direct annual premiums in New Jersey. Over $3.1 billion is spent annually by New Jersey residents on home insurance costs and flood protection for residential dwellings.

Residential property insurance in New Jersey provides financial protection to homeowners and renters when they experience losses or damages to their structures and personal belongings. It also provides coverage for property damages and bodily injuries incurred by third-parties on the property.

When a loss or damage occurs, you are expected to file a claim immediately by calling your insurance company to report the event. Before the call ends, ask your insurance company what documentation you will need to provide and any other questions you may have. While waiting for your insurance company to get back to you, you can make necessary temporary repairs to protect your property from further loss or damage. However, ensure you save all receipts or bills to submit for your claim.

Your insurance company will assign a claim adjuster to inspect the damages and determine coverage. After the claims adjuster’s job, your insurance company will give you a copy of the damage estimate. If you choose, you can work with a contractor recommended by your insurance company who can fix the damage at the price estimated. Sometimes, your insurer might not want to cover part of the loss, which may lead to disputes. This is why you should speak with your New Jersey-licensed P&C insurance agent to help handle your claims. They understand how residential property insurance works, including filing of claims, and can help streamline the whole process. The Insuring Your Home Guide provided by the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance contains more information on how residential property insurance works in the state.

What Are The Types of Residential Insurance in New Jersey?

There are several types of residential insurance in New Jersey. The type of residential insurance policy to purchase depends on the type of home in which you reside and ownership status (owned or rented). Each policy type protects the insured's home or personal belongings against specified perils or events. All residential insurance policies in New Jersey include an all-peril deductible that homeowners and renters must pay out-of-pocket toward losses before their insurers start to pay claims. The most common types of residential insurance in New Jersey include:

• Homeowners insurance

• Dwelling insurance

• Condominium insurance

• Renters / tenant's insurance

• Landlord insurance

• Liability coverage insurance

• Townhouse insurance

• Mobile home insurance

• Farm and ranch insurance

Generally, residential insurance coverage types are divided into:

• Property: It covers damages to property caused by perils like theft, fire, vandalism, and windstorm

• Liability: It pays for bodily injuries or property damage caused to third parties in an insured home

PROPERTY - Residential Insurance in New Jersey

Residential property insurance protects properties against damages caused by fire, vandalism, theft, and certain natural disasters (hail and windstorm, volcanic eruption, and lightning). There are several types of residential property insurance in New Jersey, depending on home type and ownership status. Each policy type covers the insured's home or personal belongings within the home and protects against the perils listed in the policy contract. They include:

Owner Property Coverages

1. Homeowner insurance: Homeowners need this residential insurance type and individuals who have mortgages on their property are usually required to have it. A typical homeowners insurance covers damages to your home, its content, detached other structures, and liability claims for any injuries and property damage you or your loved ones cause to others. In 2022, around 2.4 million residential dwellings in New Jersey were occupied by homeowners.

Homeowner insurance policies exclude damages caused by flood, wear and tear, earthquake, and sewer backup. Homeowners require separate policies to cover these excluded perils. For instance, a homeowner can purchase a separate flood insurance policy to protect against damages caused by floods.

2. Condo insurance: Individuals who own condo units, co-ops, or townhouse units should get this insurance. Condo insurance covers repairs to your condo unit and your personal belongings if they are stolen or damaged by covered perils. Condo insurance in New Jersey covers losses or damages caused by theft, fire, lightning, explosion, aircraft, vehicles, windstorm or hail, vandalism, smoke, riot, and accidental or sudden water damage. A typical condo insurance policy in New Jersey excludes damages caused by flooding, earthquake, termites, freezing pipes, and war. It also excludes water damage resulting from continuous and repeated seepage, and intentional acts caused by you or a resident of your home.

3. Landlord insurance: Any individuals who has a rental home should consider getting this residential property insurance type. In 2022, over 1.3 million housing units in New Jersey were rentals. Landlord insurance protects a rental property and unattached structures in the property, such as the shed or fence, from losses or damages caused by covered perils like theft, fire, windstorm, or hail and lightning. Landlord insurance also covers items used to service rental properties like toolboxes, backup generators, lawnmowers, and snow blowers. However, it excludes damages resulting from sinkholes, wear and tear, floods, and nuclear hazards

4. Commercial property insurance: This type of property insurance is used to protect apartment complexes. Commercial property insurance protects a company’s physical assets (owned or rented) from theft, fire, natural disasters (like storms and volcanoes), explosions, burst pipes, and vandalism. It excludes damages caused by floods, earthquakes, and freezing pipes

Renter Property Coverage

1. Renters insurance: Individuals who are residents of rented properties should get this insurance. About 36% of the housing units in New Jersey are rented units. Renters insurance provides coverage for the occupiers of these housing units and their personal belongings. Most renters insurance policies in New Jersey cover tenants’ personal properties and additional living expenses due to loss of use. Renters insurance policies do not cover losses caused by war or nuclear hazards, floods, mold (unless it is due to a covered peril), and termites. It also excludes damages caused by wear and tear, earthquakes, and intentional acts caused by tenants

LIABILITY - Residential Insurance in New Jersey

Depending on home ownership status, residential liability insurance in New Jersey protects you against personal liability claims resulting from injuries to other people and damage to their properties. Such claims can include reimbursements for medical expenses, legal costs, and lost wages. Below explains how homeowners and renters benefit from liability coverage in their residential insurance policies:

• Homeowners liability coverage: It covers the insured and their family members when they are responsible for injuries to others on their property. It also covers damages caused by the insured's pets but does not cover injuries sustained by their pets; that is covered by pet insurance

• Condo liability insurance: It covers the insured when they are liable for other people’s injuries or damages to their properties within the insured’s condo unit

• Landlord liability insurance: It covers landlords from liability claims arising from tenants and guests on their rental properties. Legal fees or medical expenses incurred as a result of injury sustained by guests or tenants on the property are also covered by Landlord insurance.

• Renters liability insurance: This policy covers tenants when they accidentally cause harm to third-parties or damage their properties in the rented apartments

Homeowners Insurance vs. Condo Insurance: How are they Different?

The major difference between New Jersey homeowners insurance and condo insurance policies is how home insurance companies handle insuring the home's structure. Homeowners coverage typically covers the interior and exterior parts (including the land, garage, and any other structures on the property) of the home. In contrast, condo insurance only covers the interior of the individual’s condo units and personal belongings. A condominium is insured by the condominium association’s master policy.

How Can I Save On My Residential Property Insurance

Insurers consider several factors when determining the cost of residential property insurance premiums in New Jersey. These factors include the type of construction, age, condition and location of the home, the rebuild cost of the home, claims history, and deductible amount. However, there are different ways property owners and renters can save money on their residential property insurance policies. These include:

• Shopping around: Property owners and renters can get residential property insurance quotes from several companies and compare their rates. Doing this will help them settle for suitable policies with the most affordable prices

• Higher deductible: Choosing a higher deductible will help you save on residential property insurance costs. For instance, you can save up to 25% if you raise your deductible to $1,000

• Improve security: Most insurers in New Jersey offer up to 5% in insurance discounts to property owners and renters with installed security systems like smoke detectors, burglar alarms, or dead-bolt locks. Some insurance companies can possibly cut 15% or 20% off premiums when insureds install sophisticated sprinkler systems and fire alarms wired to the police or fire stations

• Long-term policyholder discounts: Some insurance companies offer discounts to loyal homeowners and renters who have patronized them for a number of years

• Multi-policy discount: Many insurance companies in New Jersey tend to offer discounts to property owners and renters when they bundle other insurance products with their residential insurance policies

• Nonsmoker discounts: Some insurers offer discounts to insureds determined to be non-smokers, including the members of their families

The best way to save on residential property insurance in New Jersey is to seek the services of a licensed P&C insurance agent in the state. They have access to a network of insurers and can help you compare quotes from them.

How Much Home Insurance Coverage Do I Need?

The amount of home insurance coverage you need in New Jersey depends on the value of your home. You need enough coverage that is sufficient to cover damages to your house and its contents. You also need enough liability coverage to protect you against third-party liability claims. Sometimes your bank or mortgage lender may require that you insure your house for at least the mortgage amount. In addition, your home insurance company may insist that you insure your house for a certain limit to obtain replacement cost coverage.

To financially protect yourself, always ensure that your home insurance coverage is enough to cover the rebuilding and replacement costs of your home and personal property in the event of damage or a total loss. Discuss with a New Jersey-licensed P&C insurance agent who can help you assess your home insurance needs, run a home insurance quote, and select the most optimal and cost-effective coverage. They can also help you determine how much home insurance coverage is enough for you. Have this discussion with your agent or insurer annually, to make sure that the insured value keeps up with the realities of the real estate and construction market.

Can You Over Insure your Residential Property?

Yes, you can over-insure your residential property, but it is not advisable as your insurer will only cover rebuilding or repair costs in the event of a covered incident. Over-insuring your residential property in New Jersey is when your insurance coverage is much higher than your property's actual value or replacement cost. For instance, you over-insure your residential property when you get $500,000 worth of coverage for a property with a market value of $400,000. Typically, you need enough insurance coverage to cover the cost of rebuilding your home from scratch at current construction costs. Since the insurer will pay only for how much it will cost to put you back into your home (or one just like it), getting any amount of coverage above that is over-insurance. You will only end up paying more than necessary in premiums if you over-insure your residential property.

Always talk to a New Jersey-licensed homeowners insurance agent if you are unsure about the amount of home insurance coverage you need. They can help you determine the right amount of coverage and assist you with the application process.

Can You Under-Insure a Residential Property?

Yes, your residential property can be underinsured, and you can be unaware. Underinsurance happens when your insurance coverage is insufficient to cover the rebuild costs of your home in the event of a total loss. This can lead you to paying a larger amount out of pocket to repair damages to your property. For instance, if the median home value in New Jersey is about $460,000, and the house is underinsured by 20% and costs $500,000 to rebuild, you will be short by $100,000. The best option is to insure your home using the rebuild value and not the market, appraised, or assessed value to avoid underinsurance. It is also important to note that the value of your property can change, so you should always review your residential insurance policies frequently (at least annually) with your insurance agent to avoid underinsurance. Talk to your New Jersey-licensed insurance agent to know how much coverage to purchase and how much it would cost to rebuild your property from the ground up.

Does Residential Property Insurance in New Jersey Cover Solar Panels?

Yes, most residential property insurance policies in New Jersey protect solar panels mounted on the home's rooftop from perils like fire, lightning, windstorm, hail, and vandalism. However, ground-mounted solar panels may need additional coverage because they are not directly attached to dwelling units. Renters insurance policies in New Jersey do not cover structures, including solar panels mounted on the rooftop of the rented apartment. Only landlord insurance can cover such. Hence, tenants who have solar panels attached to their apartments would not be covered if they were not installed by their landlords. Speak to a licensed P&C insurance agent in your locality before installing solar panels in your rented apartment.

Do Solar Panels Affect House Insurance?

Yes. Adding solar panels to your home will increase your home insurance premiums. This is because solar panels add value to your home, and insurers calculate premiums based on the home's value. You can speak to a licensed insurance agent in New Jersey who can help you determine how high your residential insurance costs will go if installing solar panels.

Fact: New Jersey is a national leader in solar panel installations, producing over 5.4 gigawatts of power from over 175 thousand individual installations.

How Much Does Home Insurance Go Up with Solar?

Home insurance premiums typically increase when you add solar panels to your home. On average, your premium can increase by 20%, which can be up to hundreds or thousands of dollars per year. This is because solar panels can be quite expensive and adding them to your residential policy will increase your coverage limits, affecting your premiums. An average residential solar system installation in New Jersey is between twelve to sixteen thousand dollars. Always talk with your New Jersey-licensed insurance agent about your policy limit before adding solar panels to your home insurance coverage. Your agengent can help you compare quotes from multiple home insurance companies and get you an affordable and suitable policy.

Does Home Insurance Cover Hail Damage to Solar Panels?

Most home insurance policies in New Jersey cover damages caused by hail. Hence, home insurance will cover hail damage to solar panels mounted on the rooftop. Check your coverage limit on the declaration page of your policy document to know if hail damages to your solar panels are covered. You may have to raise your coverage limits if it is low, but it will come with higher premiums.

Your residential insurance policy will not cover hail damage to ground-mounted solar systems, solar panel carports, and batteries because they are not directly attached to your dwelling unit. Therefore, you may have to purchase a separate policy to cover such. However, you will not need to protect your solar panel from hail damage if it is under a lease because they are not yours. Ensure you verify whether hail is covered under the lease terms and understand how the responsible party remedies such damage. Speak with your P&C insurance agent to better understand if your existing home insurance covers your solar panels. They can also provide answers to your home insurance questions as they relate to solar system installations.

Does Residential Property Insurance Cover Leaks?

Yes, most residential property insurance policies in New Jersey cover damage from leaks deemed to be sudden and accidental. Therefore if you have a leak in your home or rented apartment, your residential property insurance policy will cover it. However, a home insurance policy will not cover leaks that occur due to lack of maintenance or wear and tear.

Does Home Insurance Cover Water Damage?

Yes, home insurance policies in New Jersey cover sudden and accidental water damage. However, it excludes damages that occur gradually, such as slow, constant leaks due to flooding. For instance, a typical homeowners insurance policy does not cover water damage from continuous and repeated seepage. Also, a home insurance policy covers any mold damage resulting from water damage, but the coverage may be limited.

Does Home Insurance Cover Plumbing Leaks?

Yes, home insurance in New Jersey covers any sudden and unexpected water damage due to a plumbing malfunction or broken pipe. However, most home insurance policies do not cover plumbing leaks that occur gradually due to slow and constant leaks. It also excludes freezing pipes (unless the water in the building was shut off or the building was heated).

Does Home Insurance Cover Roof Leaks?

Yes, home insurance in New Jersey covers roof leaks if they occur accidentally and suddenly by covered perils like windstorms or hail. However, it does not cover slow leaks or leaks caused by a lack of maintenance. For instance, your homeowners insurance policy will provide coverage if a windstorm that occurred in your area blows some of your roof shingles away, causing rain to leak into your ceiling. Likewise, if the ceiling leaks in your rental home and the water ruins your furniture, renters insurance will cover the damage to your belongings. However, your homeowners or landlord policy will not cover slow leaks caused by deteriorated or incorrectly installed chimney flashing.

Does Home Insurance Cover Temporary Housing?

Yes, home insurance covers temporary housing in New Jersey. For instance, if a covered peril like fire makes your home uninhabitable and you have to live elsewhere temporarily, your home insurance will cover additional living costs like hotel, meals and laundry expenses. In New Jersey, the loss of use coverage portion of a home insurance policy is usually limited to 20% of dwelling coverage (Coverage A).

Does Residential Property Insurance Cover Theft?

Typically, most residential property insurance policies in New Jersey cover theft. However, there are several coverages in residential property insurance policies that cover theft and theft-related damages.

Dwelling coverage, also known as Coverage A, is the portion of homeowners, condo, and landlord insurance policies that cover damages to properties caused by theft. For instance, if someone breaks into your home and damages your window, your dwelling coverage will pay for the repairs.

Other structure coverage, also known as Coverage B, is the portion of homeowners and landlord insurance policies that covers damages to detached structures like fences or gates in the homes or rental properties. For instance, if someone breaks into your garage and causes damages to it, your homeowners or landlord insurance will most likely cover it.

Personal property coverage, also known as Coverage C, is the portion of homeowners, condos, landlords, and renters insurance policies that cover personal belongings when stolen in a home. For instance, if someone breaks into your condo unit and steals your furniture, the personal property coverage of your condo insurance will cover it.

Does Residential Insurance Cover Identity Theft?

Most residential insurance can be purchased with an identity theft protection option (rider). While this coverage typically does not protect from the act of identity theft happening, it can help with reimbursing the costs of reestablishing your identity and repairing your record in the aftermath. If ID theft coverage is very important for you, make sure to speak with an agent who has access to multiple insurers.

Does Residential Property Insurance Cover Mold?

Yes, residential property insurance in New Jersey covers mold resulting from a covered peril. However, mold damage resulting from the insured's negligence will not be covered. If mold was caused by a flooding event, it can only be covered by flood insurance.

Does Home Insurance Cover Foundation?

Most home insurance policies in New Jersey cover foundation damages caused by covered perils like windstorms or hail, lightning strikes, sudden and accidental water damage, and fire. However, it does not cover foundation damages caused by negligence, floods, earthquakes, earth movement, landslides, mudslides, and sinkholes. Review your home insurance policy documents to better understand what is included and excluded in your policy. You can also speak with your home insurance agent who can interpret some of the technical terms in your policy language.

Does Home Insurance Cover Natural Disasters?

Yes. Home insurance covers losses arising from natural disasters like fire, lightning, windstorm, and hail. However, it excludes damages caused by floods, earthquakes, sinkholes, or landslides. Individuals must purchase flood insurance, earthquake insurance, and sinkhole insurance policies to cover flooding, earthquake, and sinkhole damages.

New Jersey is prone to many natural disasters like storms, floods, hurricanes, wildfires, extreme heat, drought, and landslides. For instance, about 906 wildfires were recorded in New Jersey in 2021, burning over 6.5 thousand acres. Hence, the need for home insurance policies and the necessary add-ons. Discuss with your insurance agent for more information regarding the specific natural disaster your home insurance policy covers and excludes. A knowledgeable New Jersey-licensed insurance agent knows the prevalent natural disasters in your locality and can review your current residential property policy to know if those disasters are covered. They can also help identify areas where you may need to purchase separate coverage or adjust your current coverage options.

FLOOD INSURANCE

New Jersey has more than 1,800 miles of coastline from the New York border to the head of the tide along the Delaware River. This coastal zone covers 3,218 square miles of the state and is home to 239 diverse communities. About 53 percent of the state’s total population resides along the shore and rivers of these coastal zones, putting their homes at risk of flooding. Just one inch of floodwater can cause up to $25,000 in damage, and this is why property owners living around the New Jersey coastal zone should consider getting flood insurance. A typical home insurance policy in New Jersey excludes damages caused by floods. So, you must get a separate flood insurance policy to cover damages to properties resulting from flooding at additional premiums. Individuals can also purchase flood insurance as an add-on to their existing residential property insurance policies. New Jersey residents can purchase flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through licensed P&C insurers and “Write Your Own” (WYO) insurance companies for about $500 - $700 per year. You can determine whether your residential property is in a flood zone through the FEMA Flood Map Service Center.

There are 553 communities in New Jersey participating in NFIP, with about 217,200 NFIP policies in force. In 2021, over $314.3 million was paid to NFIP policyholders in New Jersey after Hurricane Ida. Most flood insurance policies issued by NFIP in New Jersey cover the home, its foundation, and detached structures like garages and fences. It also covers essential systems in the home like plumbing and electronic systems, water heaters, central air conditioners, personal belongings like furniture, clothing, portable appliances, and valuables like arts. However, flood insurance excludes personal automobiles damaged by floods, personal belongings outside of the insured building, precious metals, currency, and valuable documents. Individuals will need to purchase car insurance coverage to cover flood damage to their vehicles.

TORNADO INSURANCE

Although about 13 tornadoes occurred in New Jersey in 2021, there is no such thing as tornado insurance in the state. Standard residential property insurance covers damages caused by tornadoes. Hence, New Jersey residents do not need to purchase separate or specific insurance policies to protect against tornadoes. Residential property insurance in New Jersey covers damage to structures and personal belongings caused by wind, rain, hail, and fallen trees during a tornado. Also, if a tornado displaces you from your home and you have to get a temporary place to live, your residential property insurance will cover your additional living expenses. If a tornado occurs in your area and is accompanied by heavy rain that leads to flooding, your residential property insurance will not cover it. If you live in an area prone to tornadoes, it is good that you get a flood insurance policy as an add-on to your residential insurance policy to protect against floods resulting from severe tornadoes. You will likely pay more in residential property insurance premiums if you live in a county with a high frequency of tornadoes since the risk of damage is higher.

HURRICANE INSURANCE

Residential property insurance policies in New Jersey cover damages resulting from windstorms, including hurricanes. Hence, property owners and renters do not need to get separate or specific policies to protect against hurricanes. In 2020, the damaging wind and storm surge from hurricanes affected many homes in New Jersey and led to billions being spent in reconstruction of those homes. The table below shows the number of homes at risk of storms in New Jersey and the estimated reconstruction costs if something bad happens.

Standard residential property insurance covers hurricane damages to your property, personal belongings, and detached structures like sheds, fences, and garages. Additionally, it covers food loss due to power outages caused by hurricanes and additional living expenses if you have to get a temporary place to live while your house is under repair. Note that your residential property insurance will not cover medical bills if you get injured due to a hurricane. Also, it does not cover water damage and replacement or repair of a car damaged by moving debris or a wind-toppled tree. You need to get extra coverage to cover those events. For instance, you will need auto insurance to cover damages to your car due to moving debris.

EARTHQUAKE INSURANCE

Residential property insurance in New Jersey does not cover earthquake damages. This means that residents of the areas prone to earthquakes need to get earthquake insurance to cover damages and losses caused by earthquakes. Individuals can purchase earthquake insurance policies as add-ons to existing home insurance policies. Typically, the average cost of earthquake insurance is between $500 to $1,200 per year. A typical earthquake insurance policy in New Jersey covers:

• Damages to personal properties

• Damages to dwelling units and detached structures like sheds and garages

• Cost of stabilizing the land under your home

• Additional living expenses if insureds have to temporarily relocate while their homes are being rebuilt or repaired

• Cost of removing debris

You can always check the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management website for updates regarding earthquake incidents in the state. You can also discuss earthquake coverage with a New Jersey-licensed insurance agent who can help determine if you live in a high-risk area. A knowledgeable agent will provide necessary information regarding natural disasters in your locality. Buying earthquake insurance from your homeowners insurance company can make you benefit from multi-policy discounts.

SINKHOLE INSURANCE

Typical residential property insurance in New Jersey does not cover damages resulting from sinkholes. Therefore, you will need to purchase sinkhole insurance if you want to be covered for such an event. A typical sinkhole insurance policy costs between $1,500 and $4,000 per year.

Sinkhole insurance in New Jersey covers the cost of repairing or rebuilding homes or business buildings damaged by sinkholes. It can also cover personal belongings and detached structures like sheds or garages in the building premises. However, sinkhole insurance does not cover damage to cars, water damage, and damages from mine subsidence. Speak with a New Jersey-licensed property insurance professional who can provide answers to your sinkhole insurance questions.

Note: The table below summarizes covered and excluded events/perils for residential property insurance in New Jersey.

For all your residential insurance needs, speak with a knowledgeable property insurance agent licensed by the state of New Jersey.