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What is the difference between home insurance and building insurance?
It’s my first time shopping for home insurance, and I’m not sure what kind of coverage I need—or what the difference is between options like home insurance and building insurance. Can you help?
Kathryn Mae Kurlychek · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Understanding the different types of insurance policies out there can be tricky—luckily, when it comes to home and building insurance, the difference isn’t all that vast. Simply put, building insurance protects the physical structure of the home.
With building insurance, the structure of your home is protected, along with any permanent fixtures (such as the roof). In addition, if you have a shed or garage (or something fancier like a greenhouse or guest house) on your property, your building insurance may also extend to those structures as long as they are permanently attached.
But building insurance won’t cover any of the items inside. Your couches, beds, appliances, and other belongings are protected under contents insurance, which is typically the other half of your
home insurance
policy. So when does it come in handy to just have building insurance? Landlords who own rental properties, commercial businesses, or homes under construction. Since they don’t have personal property to protect, they won’t need a standard homeowner’s policy.
Here’s a summary of the main difference between home insurance and building insurance:
- Home insurance: A broad term that covers general types of home insurance, including building insurance. A residential home insurance policy generally covers the physical structure, personal property, and liability.
- Building insurance: A specific type of home insurance that covers the structural aspects of a property. Building insurance protects the structure and permanent fixtures but won’t protect the furniture or other belongings inside.
No matter the type of policy you’re looking for,
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can help you find savings in under a minute. Jerry is a super app and licensed insurance expert
designed to make shopping for home insurance as easy as possible. Download the app, answer a few questions, and Jerry will take care of the rest—finding you the perfect policy at the right price.
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- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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