Home Insurance Coverage Calculator: Limits by Part

A standard homeowners policy is split into parts, and most of them are set as a percentage of your dwelling limit. This home insurance coverage calculator turns those percentages into dollar amounts so you can see, in plain numbers, how much protection you have for your belongings, your detached buildings and a temporary place to live.

How to use this calculator

1. Dwelling coverage. Look at your declarations page, the summary page at the front of your policy. Find “Coverage A” or “Dwelling.” If you are not sure your dwelling limit is high enough, check it first with the dwelling coverage estimator.
2. Other structures percentage. Coverage B is often shown as a dollar amount. Divide it by Coverage A and multiply by 100 to get the percentage. For example, $35,000 ÷ $350,000 = 10%.
3. Personal property percentage. Coverage C covers your belongings. Use the same math if your policy only shows dollars.
4. Loss of use percentage. Coverage D pays extra living costs while you can’t live at home. If your policy shows a time limit instead of dollars, enter your best estimate and read the limit section of your policy.

How this calculator works

Each of the three other parts is a percentage of Coverage A. The total adds the four limits together.

Other structures = Dwelling × Other structures %
Personal property = Dwelling × Personal property %
Loss of use = Dwelling × Loss of use %
Total = Dwelling + Other structures + Personal property + Loss of use

The default percentages (10%, 50% and 20%) are hypothetical examples based on common guidelines, not your policy.

Worked examples

Example 1 (defaults, hypothetical). A home has $350,000 of dwelling coverage.

• Other structures: $350,000 × 10% = $35,000
• Personal property: $350,000 × 50% = $175,000
• Loss of use: $350,000 × 20% = $70,000
• Total: $350,000 + $35,000 + $175,000 + $70,000 = $630,000

Example 2 (higher contents and loss of use, hypothetical). A home has $400,000 of dwelling coverage, 10% other structures, 70% personal property and 30% loss of use.

• Other structures: $400,000 × 10% = $40,000
• Personal property: $400,000 × 70% = $280,000
• Loss of use: $400,000 × 30% = $120,000
• Total: $400,000 + $40,000 + $280,000 + $120,000 = $840,000

What your result means

Each number is a ceiling for that part of a claim, not a promise of payment. After a covered loss, your insurer pays what you actually lost, minus your deductible, up to that limit. Ask yourself three questions:

• Belongings: Would it cost more than your Coverage C limit to replace everything you own? A room-by-room inventory with photos is the best way to know.
• Outbuildings: Would your Coverage B limit rebuild your detached garage, fence, shed or workshop?
• Temporary housing: Would your Coverage D limit pay for rent near your home for the months a major rebuild could take?

Rules that change the answer

• Policy percentages vary. The California Department of Insurance says Coverage B is normally 10% and Coverage D normally 20% of Coverage A, and calls about 50% for contents a guideline (California Department of Insurance). Your insurer and state may differ.
• Special limits. Typical policies limit payment for items such as jewelry, and you can buy added coverage for them (NAIC).
• Replacement cost or actual cash value. Actual cash value pays after depreciation, so a $175,000 contents limit may pay far less for older items than replacement cost would.
• Excluded perils. Flood is not covered by most homeowners policies. Use the flood coverage gap calculator to check that risk separately.
• Condos and renters use different forms, where contents is the main limit and loss of use is figured from it.

Common mistakes

• Assuming the total is one pot of money you can spend on anything. Each part has its own limit.
• Forgetting that raising Coverage A also raises B, C and D when they are set as percentages.
• Skipping a home inventory, then guessing low on belongings.
• Ignoring the special limits on valuables until after a theft or fire.
• Assuming loss of use lasts as long as the rebuild. Read the limit and any time cap.

Limits and when to get help

This tool does simple percentage math. It does not read your policy, check your rebuild cost, include liability coverage or apply deductibles, sublimits or endorsements. Coverage forms and rules vary by state and insurer. For the exact limits and options, ask your insurance agent or insurer, and contact your state insurance department if you have a complaint. To learn more about each coverage part, read our guide to what homeowners insurance covers. This page is educational and is not insurance advice.