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When you buy a home, you’re likely paying more than just the down payment and closing costs. You’ill probably also need to purchase homeowner’s insurance. While this coverage is not mandated by law, many mortgage lenders require it before they agree to finance the purchase of your home.

Here’s what first-time homebuyers need to know before shopping for homeowners insurance.

What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover?

Homeowners insurance coverage provides protection for both a home and its contents against damage, theft, and up to 16 named perils, including fire, hail, windstorms, smoke, vandalism, and theft. It also typically includes personal liability coverage for accidents that may happen on the property (think of people slipping and falling down your stairs, or your dog biting a neighbor on the property).

On the flip side, basic homeowners insurance likely won’t cover damage from disasters such as floods and earthquakes, and even war (seriously). Homebuyers who live in an area prone to certain events or natural disasters may want to consider supplemental coverage. In some cases, their lender may even require it.

It’s a good idea to learn what’s generally covered by each homeowners insurance policy type — and what isn’t — to ensure you have the right protection in place.

When You Need to Buy Homeowners Insurance

If buyers plan to get a mortgage to purchase their home, their lender will likely require they obtain homeowners insurance coverage before signing off at closing.

In reality, this is a sound business tactic, as the lender will want to protect its investment, which is the property, not the person it’s lending to (harsh, we know). Let’s say the home is damaged in a windstorm or burns to the ground. Insurance will cover the cost, after a deductible, without burdening the homeowner. The homeowner can then continue to pay their mortgage on time, much to the delight of the lender.

Again, if you live in an area prone to certain disasters like floods or earthquakes, your lender may require additional coverage. Check with your lender on what’s necessary before signing.

If a person’s first home happens to be a condo or co-op, the board may also require specific coverage, thanks to a shared responsibility for the entire complex.

Recommended: House or Condo: Which Is Right For You? Take the Quiz

Can You Forgo Homeowners Insurance?

Technically, there are no laws requiring a person to obtain homeowners insurance, but it’s a rule put in place by many lenders.

If you’re paying cash for a new home, you can forgo purchasing homeowners insurance, though that may be a risky proposition.

Think you can somehow snake the system? Think again. If a lender doesn’t feel that the homebuyer is working hard or fast enough to find homeowners insurance before closing, the lender may go ahead and purchase insurance in that person’s name with what’s called “lender-placed insurance.”

This isn’t as cool as it sounds. Not only will it increase the mortgage payment, lender-placed insurance is typically more expensive than traditional homeowners insurance. And it may not even provide all the protection a homeowner needs or wants.

To give yourself enough time to find the right policy for you, aim to start shopping around a good 30 days before closing.

How Much Coverage a Person Needs

How much homeowners insurance a new homeowner needs will depend on the value of their home and the possessions in it. As a first step, would-be homeowners can ask their agent for a recommended amount of coverage.

After determining that number, it’s also a good idea to take stock of belongings and see if any items may require additional coverage (think expensive antiques, paintings, or other irreplaceable items). It could also be smart to photograph and digitally catalog major items in a home for proof needed on any claims.

Replacement Cost vs. Actual Cash Value

When shopping for homeowners insurance, there’s replacement cost coverage and actual cash value coverage.

Replacement cost coverage pays the amount needed to replace items with the same or similar item, while actual cash value coverage only covers the current, depreciated value of a home or possessions.

This means that if you have actual cash value coverage and disaster hits, you’ll only be able to get enough cash for the depreciated value of the home and items, not the cost of what it may take to replace them.

Most standard homeowners insurance policies cover the replacement cost of a physical home and the actual cash value of the insured’s personal property, but some policies and endorsements also cover the replacement cost of personal property.

The upshot: It’s best to go for replacement cost coverage whenever possible.

Recommended: How Much Is Homeowners Insurance?

The Takeaway

Is homeowners insurance required to buy a home? If you’re taking out a mortgage, that’s almost always a “yes.” It’s worth looking at your options — and understanding what will and will not be covered — so you can feel at ease in your new home for years to come.

Of course, shopping for homeowners insurance often requires considering several options, from the amount of coverage to the kind of policy to the cost of the premium. To help simplify the process, SoFi has partnered with Experian to bring customizable and affordable homeowners insurance to our members.

Experian allows you to match your current coverage to new policy offers with little to no data entry. And you can easily bundle your home and auto insurance to save money. All with no fees and no paperwork.

Auto Insurance: Must have a valid driver’s license. Not available in all states.
Home and Renters Insurance: Insurance not available in all states.
Experian is a registered trademark of Experian.
SoFi Insurance Agency, LLC. (“”SoFi””) is compensated by Experian for each customer who purchases a policy through the SoFi-Experian partnership.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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Thinking about your family’s financial security? Life insurance could help put a plan in place for the unexpected and cover a myriad of expenses.

Most states require licensed drivers to carry auto liability insurance — and for good reason. Liability coverage helps pay for the damages to other people involved in a car accident if it’s determined you were responsible.

State law may leave it up to the individual to decide if they want to carry the kind of insurance that will help pay to repair their own wrecked car or injured body. But in most cases, drivers won’t have an option when it comes to liability coverage.

Since your automobile could cause physical or material harm to others, you’ll generally be expected to carry enough insurance to cover those potential costs or, in some states, provide proof of financial responsibility.

What Is Liability Car Insurance?

If you’re found at fault — or “liable” — for an accident, liability insurance helps pay the other driver’s expenses.

There are several other types of car insurance coverage available to drivers, so it’s easy to get them confused. Collision coverage, for example, pays to repair damage to your own car after an accident. And comprehensive coverage helps pay for damage to your car that’s caused by other factors, such as hail, a fire, or theft.

Auto liability insurance is all about the other guy. It’s not there to cover your costs or the costs of anyone who was riding in your car when the accident occurred.

Recommended: How Much Auto Insurance Do I Really Need?

What Costs Does Liability Insurance Cover?

In general, there are two types of liability insurance offered on most standard policies:

Bodily Injury

This type of liability coverage protects the at-fault driver by paying for the other person’s emergency and continuing medical expenses related to the accident. It also might cover loss of income or funeral costs, or legal fees if there’s a lawsuit.

Property Damage

Property damage liability coverage helps pay for repairs to the other person’s car or other property (their home, a business, a fence, a bicycle, etc.) when the policyholder causes an accident.

Are There Limits on What an Insurer Will Pay?

Yes. The amount an insurer will pay for a claim depends on the coverage limits a policyholder chooses. Note that the amount of coverage you’re required to carry varies from state to state, and you might choose to purchase a higher level of coverage than your state mandates.

Coverage caps are usually broken down into three categories:

Bodily Injury Liability Limit Per Person

This is the maximum amount an insurer will pay out for each individual who is injured in a car accident (other than the at-fault driver who is the policyholder).

Bodily Injury Liability Limit Per Accident

This is the maximum amount an insurer will pay overall for medical expenses if multiple people are hurt in an accident. Again, it does not include medical costs for the at-fault policyholder.

Property Damage Liability Limit

This is the maximum amount an insurer will pay to repair any damage a policyholder caused to another person’s property. Any amount over that limit will likely be the responsibility of the policyholder.

How Much Liability Insurance Should a Driver Have?

You cannot buy less than the minimum amount of liability insurance your state legally requires. But some states require significantly less coverage than others.

For example, the minimum liability insurance requirements in California are $15,000 for injury/death to one person, $30,000 for injury/death to more than one person, and $5,000 for damage to property.

But the minimum requirements in Maine are more than twice those amounts: $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. (A combined single limit of $125,000 will also satisfy the minimum limit requirement in Maine.)

General recommendations from the insurance industry suggest consumers purchase at least $100,000 of bodily injury liability per person and $300,000 per accident.

Keep in mind that when you’re shopping, you may not be able to choose standalone limits for each category of liability coverage. Most insurers set their coverage limits as part of a package, and you may have to make your purchase from those pre-established plans.

For example, a 25/50/10 policy would set the bodily injury limit per person at $25,000, the bodily injury limit per accident at $50,000, and the property damage limit at $10,000. Any costs that exceed those set amounts would be the responsibility of the policyholder.

Some people also consider purchasing an “umbrella” policy that would cover any excess costs if liability limits are exhausted. This type of policy can help protect you from large liability claims or judgments if you’re sued. And your umbrella policy may cover you as well as other members of your family or household.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average cost of a claim after a private passenger car accident in 2020 was $20,235 for bodily injury and $4,711 in property damage. But a claim could go much higher, if there are multiple victims, for example, or if there are serious injuries or someone is killed.

Recommended: What Is the Average Monthly Cost of Car Insurance by Age in the U.S.?

What’s the Difference Between Full Coverage and Liability Only?

An auto insurance policy that includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage is sometimes called “full coverage,” because it covers both your costs and the costs of others involved in an accident.

Most states require liability coverage. But if your car is paid off, your state may not require collision (which helps to repair or replace a car that’s damaged in an accident) or comprehensive (which pays if the car is stolen or damaged by fire, vandalism or some other non-collision scenario).

And if your car isn’t worth much, you might decide to forgo one or both when purchasing car insurance. If your car is financed, however, the lender could require full coverage even if the state doesn’t.

Some states also may require other types of coverage:

•   Uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage can help cover your medical expenses if you’re in an accident with a driver who has little or no insurance.
•   Uninsured motorist property damage coverage can help repair damage to your car if you are hit by an uninsured motorist.
•   Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and/or Medical Payments (MedPay) can offer protection if you or your passengers are hurt or killed in an accident.

Do You Need Liability Coverage If You Live in a No-Fault State?

A dozen states have instituted “no-fault” laws for drivers. Coverage rules and limits may vary from state to state, so you should be clear on the specifics of what your state requires.

Generally, when you live in a no-fault state and you’re in a car accident, everyone involved files a bodily injury claim with their own insurance company, regardless of who was at fault. Still, every no-fault state requires some level of liability coverage.

Drivers in no-fault states also typically must have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance included in their car insurance policy to cover their own potential medical bills and expenses. PIP plans cover medical expenses for the car’s driver and passengers, which can include hospital bills, medication, rehabilitation, and other injury-related costs.

PIP insurance doesn’t replace bodily liability coverage in every state, and it doesn’t cover property damages. Your insurance company pays for repairs to your car if you have collision coverage. Or you may have to make a property damage claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance.

What If You Have an Accident in Another State?

Ready for a road trip? If you have an accident, your liability insurance may increase to match the minimum limits in whatever state you’re in, and in Canada. But you may want to check with your insurance company if you like to travel, especially if you have a bare-bones policy.

What’s Covered If Someone Else Is Driving Your Car?

The short answer is that the auto insurance covering the vehicle, not the person driving, is usually considered the primary insurance. So if you let someone else drive your car and that person causes an accident, your insurance company probably would be responsible for paying the claim.

Your liability coverage wouldn’t pay the medical bills of the person driving your car or the repairs to your car, although those costs may be covered by other parts of your policy. But it likely would be your liability insurance that pays for the driver of the other car’s medical bills and property damage.

Again, state laws may affect who is responsible in this situation, so it can help to know the rules before letting someone else drive your car.

How Much Does Liability Coverage Cost?

The price you’ll pay for liability coverage could be based on several factors, including how much you buy and where you live. Your age may also play a factor — younger drivers may pay more for coverage, for instance. You can do a little online shopping to search the best rates for your area.

But a better question might be “How much will it cost to bump up my liability insurance beyond the state-mandated minimums?” Getting twice as much coverage won’t necessarily cost twice as much. If the price fits your budget, you may want to consider carrying more coverage than the law requires.

Upping coverage might increase your comfort level, considering the expenses that might be involved in a major accident, even if you have insurance. The extra coverage may cost more, but if you’re a safe driver you may qualify for better rates. You can research car insurance online and compare quotes to find one that fits your budget.

The extra coverage may cost more, but if you’re a safe driver you may qualify for better rates.

The Takeaway

If you’re held responsible for a car accident, liability insurance will help pay the expenses of the others involved. Most states mandate this coverage, including “no-fault” states. But the amount of coverage you must carry may vary from state to state, so when you’re researching automobile insurance, it can be useful to know your state’s rules.

Shopping around for insurance in your area can help you figure out how much coverage you really need and what your premium might be. SoFi’s online auto insurance comparison tool lets you see quotes from a network of insurance providers within minutes, saving you time and hassle.

Insurance not available in all states.
Gabi is a registered service mark of Gabi Personal Insurance Agency, Inc.
SoFi is compensated by Gabi for each customer who completes an application through the SoFi-Gabi partnership.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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There’s no denying that a Disney World vacation is at the top of many a travel bucket list. But Orlando’s ultimate amusement park can also be expensive, especially if you’re traveling with the whole family. While some costs are unavoidable, there are ways to save money at Disney World.

It can be challenging to get discounts on park tickets themselves, but there are a few tricks you can use to cut costs overall. Read on for the full rundown on how to save money at Disney World.

Tips for Saving Money at Disney World

For many kids and adults, a trip to Disney World is a once-in-a-lifetime dream vacation. Many parents look forward to the day they can take their kids to Disney just to see the looks on their faces when they walk into the Magic Kingdom.

Here are a few ways that you can save money at Disney World.

Taking Advantage of a Free Disney Dining Plan

One of your biggest expenses at Disney World is meals. Food can be quite expensive in the park, since they know that you’re a captive audience.

You can bring your own food to Disney World, but it usually isn’t a great option for many people. Occasionally, Disney runs sales where a Disney Dining Plan is included in the cost of your ticket. While it may not make sense for every situation, it’s worth checking out in order to save money on food.

Travel Off-Season

The cost of Disney World park tickets is the same no matter when you go, but hotel rates vary throughout the year. Your Disney World hotel cost will depend on a number of factors, but a good rule of thumb is that the more popular times (spring break, summer vacation, holidays) also come with higher prices. Consider staying during the off-season or during shoulder season, when prices may be lower and there may be smaller crowds.

Another option is using credit card rewards to pay for hotels. Some hotel credit cards offer a signup bonus that can provide enough points to pay for most or even all of your Disney World trip.

Stick to Your Budget

It’s a smart idea to set a budget in advance for your Disney World vacation and to create a separate travel fund. Not only can this help you save the money to afford your trip, it can also keep you from splurging too much while you’re there.

Saving money on a trip to Disney World doesn’t have to mean cutting down on the fun. Just make sure you budget appropriately and identify what is and is not important to you. This will help you stick to the important credit card rule of keeping your balance in check.

Choose Low-Cost Souvenirs

Like in-park food, souvenirs are another area where you’ll pay for convenience. If you have extra days in Orlando, consider shopping off-property for Disney souvenirs — like at the official Disney’s Character Warehouse store. If you’re traveling with kids, consider giving them an upfront “souvenir budget” and letting them choose how they want to spend it.

Recommended: 6 Souvenirs You Won’t Regret Buying (and 5 You Might)

Buy Discounted Disney World Park Tickets

Because Disney World park tickets are usually in such high demand, there aren’t a lot of opportunities to buy them at a discount. To snag Disney World savings in this area, one option is to use cash back rewards toward the cost of Disney park tickets.

Another option is to look for stores that sell Disney gift cards. You can use Disney gift cards for almost anything at Disney World, and some stores will occasionally discount them. Even if you pay full price for a gift card, you might be able to get credit card rewards or credit card points with your gift card purchase.

Use Travel Rewards on a Disney World Vacation

Applying for a rewards credit card that offers credit card miles or cash back rewards can subsidize your Disney World budget.

The two areas where travel rewards can help you save are flights and hotels. If you apply for an airline credit card, the miles you get might help cover your flights. Similarly, the hotel points you earn from a hotel credit card can help pay for your lodging while on a Disney World vacation.

The Takeaway

A Disney World vacation can be quite expensive, especially if you’re traveling with a family. This makes it important to learn all the tips you can to save money at Disney World. Look to use your credit card travel rewards toward flights and lodging costs, and consider a cash back credit card to help cover the other costs like park tickets, souvenirs, and food during your vacation.

One opportunity for saving money at Disney World is to use credit card rewards to help pay for your vacation with a cash back credit card. With the SoFi credit card, you can earn unlimited 2% cash back rewards. Cardholders earn 1% cash back rewards when redeemed for a statement credit.¹ Plus, you can earn even more when you set up direct deposit on your SoFi Checking and Savings account.

FAQ

How can I spend less at Disney World?

There’s no denying that Disney World is an expensive place, but you have a couple of options if you’re trying to spend less at Disney World. One is to use your credit card points to help offset the cost. The other is to set a budget for the necessary costs that are important to you. Having a budget can help prepare you mentally to spend less.

How can I get airline miles to cover my flights to Disney World?

Airline credit cards are great for earning airline miles to help pay for flights. Look at the cost of airline tickets to Orlando from where you live, and see how many airline miles it would take to fly there. Then, look at signing up for an airline credit card to help get you the miles that you need.

When is the best time of the year to visit Disney World?

There isn’t only one set time of year that is the best to visit Disney World — it will depend on your specific situation and how flexible you can be with your travel plans. Typically, Disney World will be more crowded (and hotels more expensive) during peak travel periods like summer, spring break, and holidays. Conversely, you may experience smaller crowds and lower prices if you travel in the off-season.

How can I save on souvenirs at Disney World?

If you’re buying souvenirs inside the parks themselves, there’s no denying that the prices will be expensive. One way to overcome the souvenir sticker shock is to determine what kind of souvenirs are important to you and set a budget to cover that amount. You can also consider buying some Disney souvenirs at the Disney outlet store (Disney’s Character Warehouse).

Photo credit: iStock/miniseries

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.



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The SoFi Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.20% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

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