Buying your first home is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. Insurance is just one part of the process, and it's normal to have questions about when to buy coverage, how much you need, and what to expect before closing.
We've gathered some of the most common questions first-time homebuyers ask our team to help you better understand homeowners insurance and prepare for one of life's biggest investments.
We've gathered some of the most common questions first-time homebuyers ask our team to help you better understand homeowners insurance and prepare for one of life's biggest investments.
Last Updated: August 2026
Does buying an older home make homeowners insurance more difficult?
Not necessarily, but older homes can require additional consideration. Insurance companies may look closely at the roof, electrical system, plumbing, heating, and previous updates when evaluating the property.
If you've fallen in love with an older home, don't let insurance become an afterthought. We'll review the property's characteristics early and help you understand whether any updates or additional information may be required.
If you've fallen in love with an older home, don't let insurance become an afterthought. We'll review the property's characteristics early and help you understand whether any updates or additional information may be required.
What happens if the home inspection finds an old roof, electrical system, or plumbing?
Issues discovered during a home inspection can sometimes affect your insurance options. Insurance companies may consider the age and condition of major systems when determining whether a home meets their underwriting requirements.
Before assuming an issue will prevent you from getting insurance, talk with us. We'll review the situation, explain what information an insurance company may need, and help you understand your available options.
Before assuming an issue will prevent you from getting insurance, talk with us. We'll review the situation, explain what information an insurance company may need, and help you understand your available options.
Why is my homeowners insurance included in my mortgage payment?
Many lenders use an escrow account to collect money for homeowners insurance and property taxes as part of your monthly mortgage payment. When your insurance premium is due, the mortgage company typically pays it from that account.
Even though your lender may handle the payment, the insurance policy is still yours. We encourage you to review your coverage and contact us whenever something about your home or insurance needs changes.
Even though your lender may handle the payment, the insurance policy is still yours. We encourage you to review your coverage and contact us whenever something about your home or insurance needs changes.
Should I get an insurance quote before making an offer on a home?
You don't necessarily need a quote before making an offer, but understanding potential insurance costs early can be helpful—especially for older, coastal, or unique properties. Two similarly priced homes can sometimes have very different insurance costs.
If you have a property you're seriously considering, we're happy to discuss potential insurance considerations. Knowing about possible challenges early can help you make a more informed buying decision.
If you have a property you're seriously considering, we're happy to discuss potential insurance considerations. Knowing about possible challenges early can help you make a more informed buying decision.
Why does the age of the roof matter when I'm buying a home?
The age and condition of the roof can affect both your insurance options and premium. Insurance companies may have different guidelines for older roofs, and some may require additional information or updates before offering coverage.
If you're considering a home with an older roof, it's helpful to discuss it with us before closing. We can explain how the roof may affect your insurance options and help you avoid unexpected issues later in the buying process.
If you're considering a home with an older roof, it's helpful to discuss it with us before closing. We can explain how the roof may affect your insurance options and help you avoid unexpected issues later in the buying process.
What if I don't understand my homeowners insurance policy?
You're not alone. Insurance policies contain terms and coverages that can be confusing, especially for first-time homeowners.
That's why we encourage you to ask questions. We'll walk through your policy with you, explain what your coverages mean, and help you feel confident about your protection.
That's why we encourage you to ask questions. We'll walk through your policy with you, explain what your coverages mean, and help you feel confident about your protection.
Will installing a security system affect my insurance?
It may. Depending on your insurance company, monitored security systems, smoke detectors, water leak detection devices, and other protective features may qualify for discounts or improve your home's risk profile.
We'll help you understand which safety features may benefit your policy.
We'll help you understand which safety features may benefit your policy.
When should I review my homeowners insurance for the first time?
We recommend reviewing your policy within the first year of homeownership, especially if you've made improvements, purchased valuable belongings, or experienced major life changes.
Regular reviews help ensure your coverage continues to match your home and lifestyle.
Regular reviews help ensure your coverage continues to match your home and lifestyle.
What happens if I rent out a room in my home?
Renting out part of your home can change your insurance needs. Whether you're taking on a long-term tenant or renting a room occasionally, your current homeowners policy may not provide all the coverage you need.
Before renting out any portion of your home, it's a good idea to review your insurance.
Before renting out any portion of your home, it's a good idea to review your insurance.
Do I need to tell my insurance company if I get a dog?
Yes. Adding a pet to your household can affect your homeowners insurance, particularly if it's a breed or size that may impact eligibility with some insurance companies.
It's always best to let us know about changes like this so we can review your coverage.
It's always best to let us know about changes like this so we can review your coverage.
What should I do if I receive a notice that my home will be inspected?
Some insurance companies perform inspections shortly after a policy is issued to verify the property's condition and identify potential risks.
Receiving an inspection notice doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem. It's simply part of the underwriting process for many homes.
Receiving an inspection notice doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem. It's simply part of the underwriting process for many homes.
Should I create a home inventory?
Yes. A home inventory can make the claims process much easier if you ever experience a covered loss.
Taking photos or videos of each room and keeping a list of major purchases can help document your belongings before you ever need to file a claim.
Taking photos or videos of each room and keeping a list of major purchases can help document your belongings before you ever need to file a claim.
I just bought new furniture and electronics. Are they covered?
Your homeowners policy generally includes coverage for personal belongings, but every policy has limits and certain high-value items may require additional protection.
If you've recently furnished your home or purchased expensive electronics, it's a good idea to review your coverage to make sure it still fits your needs.
If you've recently furnished your home or purchased expensive electronics, it's a good idea to review your coverage to make sure it still fits your needs.
Should I update my insurance after making improvements to my new home?
Yes. Renovations like a new kitchen, bathroom remodel, finished basement, or home addition can increase the cost to rebuild your home.
Let us know before or during major projects so we can review whether your coverage should be updated to reflect the improvements.
Let us know before or during major projects so we can review whether your coverage should be updated to reflect the improvements.
My mortgage includes homeowners insurance. Do I still need to do anything?
If your homeowners insurance is paid through an escrow account, your mortgage company typically pays the premium on your behalf. However, it's still your responsibility to review your policy and make sure the coverage meets your needs.
Many first-time homeowners assume everything is handled automatically, but it's important to understand what your policy covers, your deductible, and when changes should be reported.
Many first-time homeowners assume everything is handled automatically, but it's important to understand what your policy covers, your deductible, and when changes should be reported.
When should I purchase homeowners insurance?
One of the most common questions we receive from first-time homebuyers is when they should start shopping for insurance.
We recommend beginning the process as soon as you have a signed purchase agreement. This gives us time to review your home, compare coverage options, and provide the information your lender may need before closing.
Waiting until the last minute can create unnecessary stress, especially if additional information or inspections are required. Starting early helps make the closing process smoother and gives you time to ask questions before your policy becomes effective.
We recommend beginning the process as soon as you have a signed purchase agreement. This gives us time to review your home, compare coverage options, and provide the information your lender may need before closing.
Waiting until the last minute can create unnecessary stress, especially if additional information or inspections are required. Starting early helps make the closing process smoother and gives you time to ask questions before your policy becomes effective.
How much homeowners insurance do I need?
Many first-time buyers assume they should insure their home for its purchase price, but that's not always the case.
Insurance is generally based on the estimated cost to rebuild your home after a covered loss—not its real estate market value.
When we prepare your quote, we'll review the home's replacement cost, your personal belongings, liability protection, and any additional coverage that may make sense for your situation. Our goal is to help you understand your options so you can feel confident in your coverage.
Insurance is generally based on the estimated cost to rebuild your home after a covered loss—not its real estate market value.
When we prepare your quote, we'll review the home's replacement cost, your personal belongings, liability protection, and any additional coverage that may make sense for your situation. Our goal is to help you understand your options so you can feel confident in your coverage.
What information do I need to get a homeowners insurance quote?
Getting a quote is usually easier than many first-time buyers expect.
In most cases, we'll ask for the property's address, purchase price, closing date, and a few details about the home, such as its age, roof, heating system, and any recent updates.
If you're not sure about some of the details, don't worry. We'll work with you to gather the information needed and explain why it's important.
In most cases, we'll ask for the property's address, purchase price, closing date, and a few details about the home, such as its age, roof, heating system, and any recent updates.
If you're not sure about some of the details, don't worry. We'll work with you to gather the information needed and explain why it's important.
Does homeowners insurance start on my closing date?
Yes—in most cases, your homeowners insurance policy becomes effective on the day you officially take ownership of the home.
Your lender will typically require proof of insurance before closing to help ensure the home is protected from the moment the property changes ownership.
We'll work with you and your mortgage lender to make sure everything is in place before closing day so you can focus on your new home.
Your lender will typically require proof of insurance before closing to help ensure the home is protected from the moment the property changes ownership.
We'll work with you and your mortgage lender to make sure everything is in place before closing day so you can focus on your new home.
Do I need flood insurance when buying my first home?
It depends on the property's location and flood exposure.
Even if flood insurance isn't required by your lender, it's worth having a conversation about your property's flood risk. Standard homeowners insurance generally doesn't cover flood damage, and many homeowners are surprised to learn this after they purchase their home.
We'll help you understand whether flood insurance should be part of your overall protection plan based on your property's unique characteristics.
Even if flood insurance isn't required by your lender, it's worth having a conversation about your property's flood risk. Standard homeowners insurance generally doesn't cover flood damage, and many homeowners are surprised to learn this after they purchase their home.
We'll help you understand whether flood insurance should be part of your overall protection plan based on your property's unique characteristics.
Should I bundle my home and auto insurance?
For many homeowners, bundling home and auto insurance can be a great way to simplify insurance and potentially qualify for discounts.
As an independent insurance agency, we work with multiple insurance companies, so we can compare available options and help determine whether bundling makes sense for your situation.
We'll review both coverage and price so you understand the value—not just the premium.
As an independent insurance agency, we work with multiple insurance companies, so we can compare available options and help determine whether bundling makes sense for your situation.
We'll review both coverage and price so you understand the value—not just the premium.
What mistakes do first-time homebuyers commonly make with insurance?
One of the biggest mistakes we see is waiting until just before closing to think about insurance.
Other common mistakes include choosing coverage based only on price, assuming flood damage is covered by a standard homeowners policy, and not asking enough questions about deductibles or liability limits.
We believe insurance should never be confusing. That's why we encourage first-time buyers to ask questions early, so they understand exactly what they're purchasing before closing.
Other common mistakes include choosing coverage based only on price, assuming flood damage is covered by a standard homeowners policy, and not asking enough questions about deductibles or liability limits.
We believe insurance should never be confusing. That's why we encourage first-time buyers to ask questions early, so they understand exactly what they're purchasing before closing.
What happens after I buy my home?
Buying your home is just the beginning of your insurance journey.
As your home and your life change, your insurance should change too. Renovations, valuable purchases, home additions, or major life events may all affect your coverage needs.
We encourage homeowners to review their insurance at least once a year so their policy continues to reflect their current needs. We're always here to answer questions, review your coverage, and help you make informed decisions long after closing day.
As your home and your life change, your insurance should change too. Renovations, valuable purchases, home additions, or major life events may all affect your coverage needs.
We encourage homeowners to review their insurance at least once a year so their policy continues to reflect their current needs. We're always here to answer questions, review your coverage, and help you make informed decisions long after closing day.
Every home purchase is different, and we're always adding new questions based on conversations with our clients. If you don't see the answer you're looking for, we'd love to hear from you.
Buying your first home is a major milestone, and we're honored whenever we're able to be part
of that journey.
At Arthur D. Calfee Insurance Agency, we've helped first-time homebuyers navigate the insurance process for decades. Whether you're preparing for closing, comparing coverage options, or simply have questions about protecting your new home, our team is here to provide clear guidance and personalized service every step of the way.
of that journey.
At Arthur D. Calfee Insurance Agency, we've helped first-time homebuyers navigate the insurance process for decades. Whether you're preparing for closing, comparing coverage options, or simply have questions about protecting your new home, our team is here to provide clear guidance and personalized service every step of the way.
