What is

Farm Dwelling
Coverage?

The heart of your farm is undoubtedly the home you return to after a long day’s toil.

Your Farm Insurance policy is a unique collection of coverages gathered to protect the risks associated with owning and operating a farm. This coverage will include the protection for the farmhouse, dwelling or residence on the farm property where the farm owner resides.

dwellingphoto

Here are some key aspects of farm dwelling insurance:

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Dwelling Coverage

Farm dwelling insurance protects the structure, including the roof, walls, floors, and built-in appliances.

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Loss of Use or Additional Living Expenses

If the farmhouse becomes uninhabitable due to a covered event, such as a fire or storm, farm dwelling insurance may cover additional expenses, such as temporary housing and meals.

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Personal Property Coverage

In addition to covering the physical structure, farm dwelling insurance also provides coverage for personal property inside the farmhouse, such as furniture, clothing, electronics, and other personal belongings.

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Liability Protection

These policies generally include liability coverage. This coverage protects the farm owner if there is injury or damage to another person’s property, and the policyholder is found liable.

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Additional Structures

Depending on the policy, coverage may extend to other structures on the farm property, such as detached garages, sheds, or other outbuildings that are not primarily used for farming operations.

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Perils Covered

Farm dwelling insurance typically provides coverage for a variety of risks, such as fire, lightning, windstorm, hail, vandalism, and other named perils. Some policies may also include additional coverage for perils such as earthquakes or floods.

The first step in determining the coverage for any dwelling is an evaluation of the rebuilding cost for the home. This is the basis for the limit of coverage. Your contents coverage limit and other limits for items such as detached private structures (personal garages or sheds) and additional living expenses are provided as percentages of the home’s coverage limit.

Some insurance companies offer an option for the functional replacement cost for older farm homes. This method calculates the rebuilding cost of the home using new construction materials and methods, which can lower the rebuilding costs.

Understanding Farm Dwelling Risks

The next step is determining the type of coverage you want on the dwelling. Comprehensive, broad, or standard are generally the three available options. These choices cover different causes of loss. There are extensions available for overland water, septic back up and other causes of loss that can be specifically listed.

Comprehensive Home Insurance

This type of insurance offers the highest coverage and protection for the dwelling and personal property. It typically includes a wide range of perils, providing coverage for most risks unless specifically excluded in the policy.

On the Farm: Comprehensive home insurance on a farm may be suitable for owners who want extensive coverage for their farmhouse and personal belongings and additional structures on the farm.

Broad Home Insurance

Broad home insurance offers coverage for a specified list of named perils, which are events or risks explicitly outlined in the policy. It provides more coverage than a standard policy but less than comprehensive coverage.

On the Farm: Broad home insurance might be a good fit for farm homeowners who want a balance between coverage and cost. It can provide protection against specific risks relevant to farm living, such as fire, theft, or windstorms.

Standard Home Insurance

Standard home insurance, also known as basic insurance, typically covers a limited set of named perils. It offers more limited coverage compared to comprehensive or broad policies.

On the Farm: While a standard policy might be more cost-effective, it may not provide the level of coverage needed for the unique risks associated with farm living. It’s important for farm owners to assess whether a standard policy adequately meets their needs carefully.

There are also discounts available for alarm systems, water monitoring systems, and many other home protection measures. Your Excalibur Farm Insurance Broker will review all these options to ensure you have all the discounts that apply to your home. Your Excalibur Farm Insurance Broker will help review your specific circumstances, the value of your property, and the potential risks of your unique farming property when choosing the type of farm home coverage.

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