If you do not own your home out right then the mortgage or lean holder does and they will insist that their investment is secured through a home insurance policy. If you do not provide one then they have to right to choose one at their discretion without any regard as to rate or policy cost.
So what are the advantages to having home owners insurance?
First and foremost home insurance protects both the house and your property in the event of catastrophic events. The policy could be set up to pay out a cash value for the home depending on its current market value or it could replace the house exactly as it was no matter what the current cost is to rebuild. Secondly any and all property that you had in the house at the time of the incident which was destroyed or lost can be fully covered and a cash settlement awarded so that these items can be replaced. The policy can be set up so that any 'specialty items' such as collectables (comics, figurines, etc.), jewelry (family heirlooms, expensive pieces) or art work can be replaced or repurchased.
If you have a rental property or rent (or lease) yourself you can also protect your property from loss due to theft, fire or negligence (water left running in the apartment above that soak through to your apartment).
Home insurance also protects the policy holder against damages to other individual's property or person.
What can affect the price of the home insurance policy?
What construction material of the house. Wooden framed houses usually have higher cost policies than those constructed of brick.
How old the house is- Insurance companies may not even insure a house that is too old, or at best, only offer a policy that has severe limitations attached. On the other hand, newer houses often qualify for discounts and full replacement coverage.
What is the available local fire protection like? Things such as the distance of your home from the hydrant and the quality of the local fire department play a significant part in the classification of the policies fire protection.
Both the amount of coverage you want and the amount of the deduction both play a significant role in the cost of your home insurance. The more you want covered and the less deductable you want to pay, higher the monthly cost of the policy.
Buyer purchased safety measures can reduce the cost of your home insurance policy. Most companies offer substantial discounts if the policy holder installs a fire and/or burglar system. Also some home improvements can both add to the value of your house and simultaneously lower the insurance policy rates.
Home insurance can be tailored to fit the particular requirements of the buyer and before any decision is made it is strongly advised to shop the market for the best rates for the coverage you want. Remember not all insurance companies offer the same protection options.