Consumers

If your down payment is less than 20% of your home's value, your mortgage lender usually requires you to have PMI.

PMI and your rights

Under the federal Homeowners Protection Act (HPA), your lender must:

Consider the value of a claim

Insurance companies generally consider your claims history when deciding to continue covering you or adjusting your premiums.

Before you file a claim, make sure the claim is worthwhile. For example, if the repairs cost only slightly more than your deductible, you may want to consider not turning in a claim and just pay for the repair yourself.

How to file a claim

Follow these tips when you file a claim to ensure a smooth, timely process:

In April 1998, the Washington state Legislature passed a law that stopped insurance companies from discriminating against domestic abuse victims.

What is domestic abuse?

Under Washington state law, domestic abuse happens between family or household members or intimate partners. It's when one of them:

Plan ahead

• Write a list and take videos or photos of what's inside your home.
• Write your personal information on large items, such as TVs or stereos.
• Take photos or videos of the outside of your home from several places.
• Ask an appraiser to determine the worth of valuable items, such as jewelry, antiques, stamps, coins, and other collectibles.
• Keep your documents and records in a safe place away from your home.

Make sure to read all your policy documents that mention volcano coverage. Talk to your agent if you have questions about coverage or think you need more than what's outlined in your policy. 

What's covered

Homeowner insurance:

• Ash
• Dust
• Particles
• Lava flow
• Removing some ash, dust or particles from inside or outside your home

If there are several eruptions within 72 hours, you only need to pay one deductible for damage.

Protect your property

Think about buying additional insurance to protect your property from potential damage.

Landslide insurance

Here are a couple of options:

Content coverage - This is coverage you add to your homeowner insurance. It protects what's inside your home from all dangers, including earth movement. However, it doesn't cover the building. Some insurers may not offer this coverage.

Water damage is one of the most common reasons people file home insurance claims. If water damage happens, follow your insurer's instructions for filing a claim.

Types of leaks and water damage

When and why water damage happens is important to getting your claim approved. There are two main types of water damage:

• Sudden and accidental leaks
• Gradual leaks

Homeowner insurance usually covers sudden leaks, but may not cover gradual leaks.

What is earthquake insurance and how does it work?

Earthquake insurance is coverage you add to your homeowner or renter insurance or buy separately.

If your property is in an area with a high risk of flooding (a "Special Flood Hazard Area"), you'll likely need flood insurance to get a loan. Even if you live in an area less likely to flood, you may still want to buy flood insurance.

The National Flood Insurance Program

Flood insurance is widely available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).