How much coverage you need depends on what type of housing you have, your budget and what you’re protecting. Nothing can help you nail down your options better than talking with an agent who knows your area and Virginia insurance. They can walk you through the right questions to assess how much liability coverage versus personal property coverage you need. 

If you want a quick overview before calling an agent, here’s what you should know. 

Homeowners insurance policies in Virginia fall roughly in three categories: named peril, open peril, or a combination of the two.  

1. Named Peril Policies – only what is specifically mentioned in the policy is covered, but the list is pretty extensive, and most common issues are covered. (Flood and earthquake coverage is not standard.) 
2. Open Peril Policies – the reverse; only what is specifically mentioned is excluded from the policy. (Flood and earthquake coverage is not standard.) 

So, what is covered in a named peril policy? Quite a bit, including damage caused by the following: 

• Wind, lightning and hail 
 
• Explosions 
 
• Vehicle or aircraft damage to your property 
 
• Smoke 
 
• Vandalism and malicious mischief 
 
• Glass breaking 
 
• Theft 
 
• The weight of ice, snow and sleet that causes building collapse 
 
• Sudden and accidental damage from hot water heating systems 
 
• Frozen plumbing and heating 
 

This policy type also will cover additional living expenses if you must move out while your house is being repaired. Keep in mind that flood and earthquake coverage is not standard in either policy type. You can learn about the categories and combinations in detail in the Virginia SCC’s Homeowners Insurance Guide.