The Difference Between Home Insurance and a Home Protection Plan (2024)

If you’re new to owning a home, or are thinking about buying, you may be wondering the difference between a home insurance plan and a home warranty (or protection plan). Both homeowners’ insurance and home protection plans provide protection, but they both cover different things. They also operate in different ways.

If you are looking to find the difference between home insurance and a home protection plan, look no further.

What is Homeowners Insurance?

Homeowners insurance is a form of protection for your home and occasionally some of the things in it. They generally protect the structure of your home from damage, but they can also include some protection of your personal property (this is different for each policy). You pay a set amount every month (or annually), and generally have a deductible should anything become damaged and you choose to use the insurance. Most homeowners insurance policies do not protect things like appliances, consumer electronics, and other personal property. However, they can include some personal items coverage.

Many people pay for a homeowners insurance policy through their mortage payments, but you can also pay via monthly, biannual, or annual payments, depending on the plan you have set up with your provider.

What is a Home Protection Plan?

A home protection plan, like homeowners insurance, provides some protection for your home. The major difference between the two types of coverage is what they protect. While homeowners insurance plans generally cover the structure of your home, home protection plans do not. Instead, home protection plans cover major systems within your home (e.g. HVAC systems, furnaces, plumbing, electrical, etc.) from breakdowns. They can also provide protection for major home appliances like ovens, refrigerators, etc.

Home protection plans also charge a monthly or annual rate, but you cannot pay for them through your mortgage payments like a homeowners insurance plan. There may also be a service charge when you call for a repair or replacement of an appliance or home system.

Which is Better?

Both are great things to have. Since they both provide protection for different things, it’s a good idea to have both homeowners insurance and a home protection plan. While your homeowners insurance will cover the structure of your home, the protection plan will cover the things you use within it.

Not All Protection Plans Are Created Equal

There are many industry protection plans to choose from, but not all of them are good options. Some only provide protection for certain items; others lock you into long-term contracts that keep you paying even when you don’t want the protection anymore.

At Everything Breaks, we offer a Total Home Protection Plan that protects most of what you own for one low rate. Our total protection plan covers unlimited consumer electronics, four major home systems of your choice, and 17 smaller home systems and appliances. It’s total protection for your home and the things you own.

On top of what we cover, we also offer contract-free agreements. You pay month to month for as long as you need the coverage. No long-term contracts or commitments. We cover appliances of any age and have a quick and easy claims process with same-day scheduling.

If you are looking to own a home or have recently purchased one, a Total Home Protection Plan from Everything Breaks is the best way to supplement your homeowners insurance and give you the protection you need, when you need it.

The Difference Between Home Insurance and a Home Protection Plan (2024)

FAQs

The Difference Between Home Insurance and a Home Protection Plan? ›

Home warranties cover your home's internal components — such as systems and home appliances — in the event of damage from everyday wear and tear; home insurance covers damage to your personal property and the structural integrity of your home caused by major events including natural disasters, burglary and vandalism.

What is home protection insurance? ›

A homeowners' policy covers damage to your personal property and dwelling caused by major events, including natural disasters like wildfires. Home warranties do not overlap or replace a homeowners' insurance policy.

What are the 2 types of home insurance? ›

What are the different types of homeowners insurance?
  • Dwelling coverage is the basis for all homeowners insurance policies. ...
  • Contents coverage protects items including furniture and clothing in your home.

What is home protector in home insurance? ›

Home Protector

This coverage offers 25%See note6 more toward your coverage limits for dwelling and other structures in certain situations. For example, if a covered loss is more than your limit due to an increase in building costs, Home Protector may apply.

What is the difference between home insurance and homeowner insurance? ›

What Is Homeowners Insurance? Homeowners insurance, also known as home insurance, is coverage that is required by all mortgage lenders for all borrowers. Unlike the requirement to buy PMI, the requirement to buy homeowners insurance is not related to the amount of the down payment that you make on your home.

What does total home protection cover? ›

Stress-free Repairs with a Total Home Protection Plan

Air conditioners. Plumbing. Keeping all these systems running can be tough, especially as they get older and more likely to break down. Peace of mind by covering any unexpected repairs and service for your heating, cooling and plumbing equipment.

What insurance protects your home? ›

Homeowners insurance covers damage to your home's structure and personal belongings and protects you if someone is injured on your property. It's important to understand your policy's limitations and when to elect add-ons, such as scheduled personal property, earthquake, flood, and water backup coverage.

What is the best house insurance? ›

Top 7 Homeowners Insurance Providers
  • Allstate: Our pick for extended coverage.
  • State Farm: Our pick for new homeowners.
  • Farmers: Our pick for customizable coverage.
  • Nationwide: Our pick for inclusive standard coverage.
  • Erie: Our pick for best service.
  • USAA: Our pick for military members.
  • Liberty Mutual: Our pick for discounts.
May 24, 2024

Who has the cheapest home insurance? ›

State Farm is the cheapest home insurance provider in 22% of states and Allstate is the cheapest provider in 18% of states. Oklahoma has the most expensive home insurance with policies averaging $6,325 per year, while Hawaii offers the lowest average annual premium at $782.

What is the most common home insurance policy? ›

What it is: HO-3 coverage is the most common type of homeowners insurance. It is also known as special form coverage. Under HO-3 insurance, your home will typically be covered at its replacement cost, while your personal property will be covered up to its actual cash value.

What is a home protector? ›

Home Protector is available for both full time rentals and frequent (vacation-type) rentals and provides coverage for your: rental homes, other structures (like garages and storage sheds), personal property (up to $2,500 for items you may own), lost income, liability and medical payments.

What is home system protection coverage? ›

Home Systems Protection specifically provides coverage for electrical and mechanical breakdowns. The standard homeowners policy already includes coverage for your personal property and home equipment if they are damaged by fire, lightning, theft, vandalism and certain other perils.

Which area is not protected by most homeowners insurance? ›

These are the areas that are not protected by most home insurance.
  • Flooding. ...
  • Earthquakes. ...
  • Business equipment. ...
  • Jewelry or artwork. ...
  • Power outages. ...
  • Nuclear hazard. ...
  • War. ...
  • Dog bites. Most homeowner insurance covers medical bills and legal fees caused by dog bites.

What are the three main types of homeowners insurance? ›

Homeowners insurance policies generally cover destruction and damage to a residence's interior and exterior, the loss or theft of possessions, and personal liability for harm to others. Three basic levels of coverage exist: actual cash value, replacement cost, and extended replacement cost/value.

Should you have homeowners insurance if your house is paid off? ›

Homeowners insurance lowers your risk of asset destruction in the event of a natural disaster. It also protects against theft, vandalism, and other mishaps. Here are a few important reasons to carry home insurance even after paying off your mortgage. Disaster can strike any home at the least expected moment.

Does homeowners insurance pay off your mortgage if the house is lost? ›

If a covered disaster completely destroys your house, your standard homeowner's insurance policy includes a "loss of use" or "additional living expense" protection, providing temporary housing until you recover. It pays off your mortgage, freeing you of that obligation.

What does home systems protection cover? ›

Home Systems Protection specifically provides coverage for electrical and mechanical breakdowns. The standard homeowners policy already includes coverage for your personal property and home equipment if they are damaged by fire, lightning, theft, vandalism and certain other perils.

What is the average monthly cost of mortgage protection insurance? ›

The monthly premium for a MPI policy can range from as little as $5 per month to $100 per month.

What is mortgage protection insurance and do I need it? ›

MPI is a type of insurance policy that helps your family make your monthly mortgage payments if you – the policyholder and mortgage borrower – die before your mortgage is fully paid off. Certain MPI policies also offer coverage for a limited time if you lose your job or become disabled after an accident.

What insurance pays off home in case of death? ›

A life insurance for mortgage protection policy is a term life policy designed specifically to repay mortgage debts and associated costs in the event of the death of the borrower. These policies differ from traditional life insurance policies because they are specifically pegged to the mortgage.

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