Homeowners policy coverages A through F

Why the letters matter

Standard homeowners policies name their coverages by letter, and insurance exam questions use the letters freely. A question may describe a fire and ask which coverage pays for the hotel stay. If you know the letters, those questions are quick marks on the personal lines and property and casualty exams.

Section I: the insured's own property

• Coverage A, dwelling. The house itself and structures attached to it, such as an attached garage.
• Coverage B, other structures. Structures on the property that are not attached: a detached garage, a shed, a fence.
• Coverage C, personal property. The contents: furniture, clothing, electronics. Many forms limit certain categories, such as jewelry or cash.
• Coverage D, loss of use. Extra living costs when a covered loss makes the home unlivable, such as a hotel and meals beyond normal spending.

Section II: liability to others

• Coverage E, personal liability. Pays when the insured is legally responsible for injuring someone or damaging their property, and pays for the defense.
• Coverage F, medical payments to others. Pays medical bills for a guest hurt on the property, without anyone having to prove fault.

How the questions catch people

The common traps sit on the boundaries. An attached garage is A, a detached one is B. The insured's own medical bills are not F, which pays other people only. Coverage E needs legal liability, while F does not. And D pays the extra cost of living elsewhere, not the whole cost.

A way to answer them

Ask two questions in order. Is the loss the insured's own, or someone else's? That picks the section. Then ask what was lost: the house, another structure, the contents, the use of the home, a legal claim, or a guest's medical bill. That picks the letter.