Know Your ABCs of Coverage: Dwelling, Other Structures, Personal Property and Loss of Use

In Part 3 of the Master Your Insurance Policy series, Attorney Edward Jimenez explains the core coverage parts every Florida homeowners policy is built around, commonly called your ABCs. Understanding which bucket your damage falls into is the first step to knowing what your insurer actually owes you. If you are just joining, start with the series introduction and Part 2 on the basic pages of your policy.

Coverage A: Dwelling

Coverage A protects the structure of your home itself, including the roof, walls, floors, and built-in systems. After a hurricane, this is where claims for roof damage, window damage, and floor damage are paid. Your Coverage A limit should reflect the full cost to rebuild your home, not its market value, because underinsuring here is one of the most common reasons homeowners come up short after a major loss.

Coverage B: Other Structures

Coverage B applies to structures on your property that are not attached to the main dwelling, such as detached garages, sheds, fences, and pool enclosures. It is usually set as a percentage of your Coverage A limit. Hurricane winds frequently destroy fences and screen enclosures, and these losses are easy to overlook when you file.

Coverage C: Personal Property

Coverage C covers your belongings, including furniture, electronics, appliances, and clothing. Pay close attention to whether your policy pays replacement cost or only actual cash value, which subtracts depreciation. Special sub-limits often apply to jewelry, art, and electronics. A thorough home inventory dramatically improves what you recover under this coverage.

Coverage D: Loss of Use

If your home becomes uninhabitable, Coverage D reimburses additional living expenses such as temporary housing and meals. We explore this and other often-missed protections in Part 5 on additional coverages, including living expenses incurred after a covered loss.

Talk to a Florida Property Damage Attorney

Insurers routinely classify damage under the coverage with the lowest limit. If your property damage claim was underpaid, attorney Edward G. Jimenez can review your policy and fight for the full payout. See our client results, then call (321) 465-3425 or schedule your free consultation. Next: Part 4: When Is Damage Covered?