Understanding Homeowners Liability Insurance

As a homeowner, you must account for many risks and exposures to safeguard your property, family and finances. However, potential losses and damages may also arise from incidents involving other parties, which could lead to costly lawsuits and significant financial ramifications. As a responsible homeowner, you should prioritize acquiring and maintaining appropriate loss control measures regarding incidents for which you and other members of your household may be liable.

What Is Liability Insurance?

As its name suggests, liability insurance refers to several types of coverage that may provide financial protection for policyholders if they are at fault for another party’s losses. These policies may be needed by large corporations, small businesses, nonprofit organizations and even individual homeowners, as even something as simple as someone tripping and falling on your property could have devastating financial consequences.

Does Homeowners Insurance Include Liability Coverage?

In most cases, homeowners insurance includes personal liability coverage for both you and other insureds listed on your policy, such as your spouse, dependents and pets. This means that if another party is adversely impacted by an incident someone in your household causes, you may be able to submit a claim against your homeowners insurance policy and limit out-of-pocket expenses and losses.

How Does Homeowners Liability Insurance Work?

Although the exact details, capabilities and limitations of your personal liability coverage may vary, the following types of incidents are generally covered:

• Bodily injuries—If someone is injured on your property or as a result of the actions of you or another insured, this coverage may help pay for resulting financial losses. For example, if a passerby slips on an icy sidewalk, your policy can render financial aid for their medical bills.
• Property damage—This part of your homeowners insurance policy may help pay for third-party property damage for which you or another insured are at fault, such as if you start a fire or that damages your neighbor’s property.
• Personal and advertising injuries—Often available as an endorsement, this coverage can provide financial assistance for losses arising from various incidents involving personal injuries and reputational harm, such as slander and libel.

In addition to covering the direct losses arising from the aforementioned incidents, the liability coverage included in a homeowners insurance policy may also help pay for your legal expenses, including attorney fees and settlements.

How Much Does Liability Coverage Cost?

The liability coverage component of your homeowners insurance policy can often have a sizable impact on your premiums. When assessing your potential liability risks, insurance carriers must consider many criteria, including the number of insureds listed on your policy, location and pets. Attractive nuisances, such as swimming pools and trampolines, may raise your rates significantly, as even someone injured while using your pool without permission could sue you for damages.

Get the Right Coverage

At McDonald Insurance Group, we are committed to helping homeowners, families and individuals secure versatile and robust coverage solutions. Visit our website or call 303-957-1742 to learn more about homeowners insurance and liability coverage.

This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.