Homeowners insurance in Kansas
should ideally cover hail, wind, and water damages, amongst other hazards. By comparing quotes from multiple insurers, you can find the best policy for you and your home. Buying a home may be an exciting and stressful time in your life. You'll want to protect your new investment as much as you can, and purchasing homeowners insurance is the best way to do so.
Before you sign on the dotted line for a homeowners insurance policy, you should have a thorough grasp of what you're getting into. Jerry
, the licensed broker app for home and car insurance
, is going through all you need to know about Kansas homeowners insurance
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What is homeowners insurance?
Homeowners insurance protects your house, your belongings, and other structures. A typical homeowners insurance policy protects you against property damage, personal responsibility, and house loss.
In the United States, the average cost of homeowners insurance is $1,387 per year or $115 per month.
Basic components of homeowners insurance
The following coverages are typically included in homeowner's insurance:
Coverage A (Structure): Covers the cost of repairing or replacing the house's structure.
Coverage B (Additional structures): Covers the cost of repairing or replacing other structures on the property, such as fences, pools, and sheds.
Coverage C (Personal property): Covers damages in the event of specific personal belongings (like electronics, furniture, jewelry, etc.) being lost or destroyed.
Coverage D (Additional expenses): Also referred to as "loss of use." Pays for temporary living expenses (such as a hotel or rent) incurred as a result of the loss of all or a portion of your home.
Coverage E (Personal liability): Pays for legal fees if someone is injured on your property (or by a pet or family member).
You can purchase a policy that covers the actual cash value (ACV) of your property at the time of loss or the replacement cost—the cost of replacing the property regardless of its actual worth. In most cases, homeowners need to purchase a policy that covers at least 80% of the replacement cost.
MORE: Home insurance terms you need to know
Named perils
Unless you have a customized policy, there is no basic comprehensive coverage for house insurance. Your policy will only cover the named perils and unique scenarios listed in your contract. Some of these named perils include:
Weight of ice, snow, and/or sleet
Water overflow or discharge (plumbing, leaks, etc.)
Before you sign, go over your insurance policy to make sure you understand what is and isn't covered!
Is homeowners insurance required in Kansas?
Homeowners insurance is not required by law in Kansas. However, your mortgage lender may need you to get homeowners insurance in order to secure a loan. A mortgage lender wants to guarantee that your house is sufficiently insured in the event of damage or a catastrophic loss since they have an interest in it.
How to get homeowners insurance
If you've recently purchased a home or are looking for a new homeowners insurance policy, start by comparing quotes from a few different companies—which is easier than ever thanks to the Jerry
app. Accepting the first reference you receive may result in you missing out on savings, so don't be hesitant to conduct some serious research. You should start by obtaining a quote from your car insurance provider. Even if the initial cost is greater, combining your home and auto insurance plans may save you money in the long run. Savings from bundling can range from 5% to 15% or more, so it's worth investigating what's available to you.
Recommended home insurance coverage in Kansas
For homeowners in Kansas, the main perils you’ll want to protect against are wind damage, hail, and floods. Most homeowners insurance will cover the first two, but you should make sure you're protected against floods while living in Kansas.
There are a few different ways to protect your home from damages caused by external flooding:
Flood insurance protects your house from water damage resulting from floods. There are a few options for this coverage, including FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (FLIP)
. An HO-5 or open perils policy covers any risk unless it is clearly stated as an exclusion in your policy.
Water backup insurance, in the event of a burst or backed-up pipe, can cover the cost of water removal and repairs.
MORE: How to choose the right kind of home insurance for you
Why is homeowners insurance in Kansas so expensive?
Kansas homeowners insurance costs much more than the national average of $1,387 per year. Personal variables such as marital status and credit history might influence home insurance costs, but there are additional factors unique to Kansas that can affect rates.
Tornadoes
Tornadoes are violent and unpredictable and can deal some serious damage to your home and property. Kansas has the third-highest rate of tornadoes in the nation and has suffered from billions of dollars in damage over the years.
Hail storms
Kansas also sees an exceptional amount of major hail events. Tens of thousands of claims are filed annually to try and cover damages to siding, windows, roofs, and more as a result of hailstorms.
Homeowners insurance discounts in Kansas
Insurance companies regularly provide a variety of discounts to customers depending on their specific circumstances. The table below contains examples of some typical homeowner insurance discounts:
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| Bundling home and auto insurance could earn you a steep discount on both policies. |
| If you're buying your first home, most insurance providers will give you a discount. |
| Your insurance company may give you a discount on your homeowners insurance if you have a security system to prevent theft. |
| If you own many properties and cover them all with the same house insurance company, you may be eligible for a discount. |
| If you go a particular amount of time (usually a few years) without filing a claim on your insurance, you can be eligible for a discount. |
| Set your fire alarm to call the fire department directly; your insurance carrier may offer a discount for a faster fire response time. |
How to save on home and auto insurance
Buying homeowners insurance can be a long and stressful process, especially if you’re purchasing it for the first time—but it’s become easier than ever thanks to the Jerry
app. In less than 45 seconds, Jerry collects all of your information from your existing insurer. Choose from competitive quotes from the top insurance companies and Jerry takes care of the rest—securing your new policy and helping you cancel your old one.
Jerry can also look for car insurance
policies to bundle with your home insurance
! The average Jerry user saves $887 a year on their insurance. “Jerry
made everything super easy! I got the best and cheapest deals. And it’s my first time buying insurance! What a deal!” —Abby W.