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A declarations page, also sometimes referred to as a “dec page,” is a page from your insurance policy that sums up your policy coverage.
You did it! You saved up the money, made the down payment, and closed on your first vacation home! Vacation homes or secondary homes are a huge asset and a place where you want to be able to relax and enjoy some time away and not have to worry about whether you have the correct home insurance for it or not.
Vacation homes or secondary homes are a huge asset and should be a place where you can unwind and have fun. However, in order to fully relax, you first need to ask yourself the following questions:
We’ll review these questions and more so you can feel good about the coverage you purchase for your second home.
A secondary home policy should mirror the coverages in your regular home policy in most states (i.e., Dwelling, Other Structures, Personal Property, and Liability). However, there may be a few small differences in the level of coverage you need.
When shopping for insurance, ask for a secondary home policy instead of a dwelling policy, a vacant home policy, or a vacant dwelling policy. This is because there is automatic coverage in a secondary home policy for your personal property, whereas a dwelling policy assumes you do not furnish the home and normally does not provide any coverage for its contents. A vacant home policy will exclude theft and vandalism, which is coverage included on a secondary home policy. You will also want to look for Replacement Cost coverage on your dwelling and personal property to ensure your belongings are covered at the cost to re-purchase any damaged or stolen items.
Once you have the correct type of policy, make sure you have the correct level of liability. Vacation or secondary homes are traditionally riskier from a liability standpoint for three reasons:
Having multiple properties is the perfect time to add an umbrella policy to your insurance portfolio if you don’t have one already. This policy can provide an additional barrier of protection between liability lawsuits and your net worth.
With a secondary home, there are some potential underwriting issues that you will want to make your agent aware of so that you aren’t at risk for having a claim rejected if your policy is written incorrectly.
You will want to tell your agent how you plan to use this home. They will write the policy differently depending on if you’ll be there a weekend every month, or only once or twice per year. Insurance carriers will typically rate more favorably if you’re planning on being there more often.
You especially want to tell your agent if you’re planning on using this home for any home-sharing or short-term rental activities like Airbnb or VRBO. Not telling your agent about these activities can pose a major issue, and if this is not disclosed, the insurance company will likely reject any claims and cancel your policy. Secondary home policies are not meant for a homeowner who is planning to lease out their home or set it up for short-term rentals. If you do decide to take advantage of those types of home-sharing activities, you will need an entirely different type of policy or a special endorsement on your secondary home policy.
Now that you have an idea of the important coverages needed for your secondary home, contact one of our Goosehead agents to properly protect your new home and get the type of policy that best suits your needs.
The contents of this article are meant as general information to help you understand personal lines insurance and not specific to a particular policy. Policies, coverages and discounts can vary by state and insurance carrier. To understand your coverage, you should speak directly with a licensed insurance agent or read your full policy contract. Call your agent or contact us at (833) 779-4090.
Navigating the world of personal property insurance can be overwhelming. How much insurance you really need depends on what assets you lease or own. At the very least, if you own or lease a car, you’ll need car insurance, and if you own a home, you’ll need homeowners insurance. Any other policies you may need to consider above those two are based on your location, assets, lifestyle, and risk tolerance. This guide will walk you through key types of insurance, helping you make informed decisions based on your circumstances.