Definition of "Hazard insurance"

There’s a lot of confusion regarding the hazard insurance definition. Many people think it’s a synonym for homeowners insurance but they’re wrong. Hazard insurance is actually part of the homeowner’s insurance policy.

Hazard insurance refers to one of the coverages within homeowner’s insurance; the protection against perils like fire, severe storms, wind hails and other natural events to the dwelling. Whatever happens to the structure is considered hazard insurance. That is; the other parts covered by the policy – like liability insurance and personal property insurance – are not considered hazard insurance.

But it is more than that. Flood insurance and Earthquake insurance, for instance, are not typically included in a homeowner’s insurance policy and are considered hazard insurance. So it’s fair to say that hazard insurance is a definition of a type of peril to your home that can be insured, and that peril is natural hazards from the outside world to the structure of your property.

While it is in the owner’s best interest to preserve his interest in the house with this type of insurance, it’s the mortgage companies who require this policy most of the times. Here’s why: an accident inside the house, for instance, will hurt the homeowner financially and, in the long run, that’s bad for the lender, but not immediately. However, a hazard to the structure is immediately bad because it devalues the home. If the owner doesn’t fix it and later on defaults and the house goes on to foreclosure, the lender will now potentially have a house that’s worth less than what he borrowed –making the lender unable to recuperate the investment.

Real Estate Advice:

We understand there are a lot of insurances out there and it feels like it’s draining your money away. But there’s nothing more dangerous than living without coverage and 10 out of 10 real estate agents will tell you this one is the most important one. After all, if you don’t protect your asset, in the case of an accident it will literally make you lose a lot of money.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

The American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers, in short, the AIREA, or the Appraisal Institute as it is known nowadays, is an institute that aims to advance professionalism in the real ...

The gross operating income definition is the total income that a real estate development receives from rentals and services before any costs or expenses are subtracted. Gross operating ...

Amount received by a seller of real property in the form of credit rather than cash. Interest is typically received on the note. If a house is sold for $300,000 of which $100,000 is cash ...

Housing whose rental payments are reduced because of aid granted by the federal, state, or local governments, private enterprises, or individuals. For example, monthly rental payments for ...

Judicially determined minimum selling price for auctioned property. For example, a judge rules that a foreclosed home may be sold for less than $200,000, ...

A life estate right of a widow on the demise of her husband, if he dies intestate, to all his lands and possessions for her and her children's support. If she dissents from his will, the ...

Right of a current stockholder to maintain the percentage ownership in a real estate company by purchasing new shares on a proportionate basis before they are issued to the public. It ...

Amount a manger of real estate receives for his efforts. For example, a manger is to receive 2% of rentals collected as compensation from the landlord to manage the property. If the ...

Proposing or presenting for acceptance a price for a property parcel. Evidence of willingness to enter into a sales agreement. The bid price in a real estate or security ...

Popular Real Estate Questions