insurancebeginner6 min

Home Insurance Calculator

Calculate how much homeowners insurance coverage you need based on your home's rebuild cost, not its market value. Estimate dwelling, personal property, and loss-of-use coverage.

Enter Your Details

Home Square Footage

sq ft

Local Rebuild Cost per Sq Ft

Personal Property Coverage

Liability Coverage

Deductible

Value of High-Value Items (jewelry, art, collectibles)

Recommended Dwelling Coverage (Coverage A)

Full Results

Personal Property Coverage (Coverage C)

Loss of Use / Additional Living Expenses

Total Recommended Coverage

Liability Coverage Selected

High-Value Items (may need a rider)

Recommended Coverage Breakdown

What is Home Insurance Calculator?

A home insurance calculator estimates how much coverage you need across the main parts of a homeowners policy — the structure itself, your belongings, and temporary living expenses — based on your home's rebuild cost rather than its market price.

How It Works

Enter your home's square footage and local rebuild cost per square foot to estimate dwelling coverage. The calculator then applies standard industry percentages to estimate personal property and loss-of-use coverage, and lets you select liability coverage and a deductible.

The Formula

Dwelling Coverage = Square Footage × Rebuild Cost per Sq Ft
Personal Property = Dwelling × Personal Property %
Loss of Use ≈ Dwelling × 20%

Dwelling coverage should be based on what it would cost to rebuild your home today — labor and materials — not its market value or purchase price. Personal property coverage is typically set at 50-70% of dwelling coverage, and loss-of-use coverage (which pays for temporary housing if you can't live at home during repairs) is commonly estimated at around 20% of dwelling coverage.

Examples

Example: 2,000 sq ft home at $150/sq ft rebuild cost

60% personal property coverage, $300,000 liability, $1,000 deductible

Recommended dwelling coverage is $300,000. Personal property coverage (60%) adds $180,000, and loss-of-use coverage (20%) adds $60,000 — for a total recommended coverage of $540,000, plus $300,000 in liability protection.

Pros & Cons

Pros

✓Based on rebuild cost, not market value — the number insurers actually use
✓Covers all three major coverage types, not just the dwelling
✓Flags when high-value items may need a separate rider
✓Gives you specific numbers to compare against an actual quote

Cons

✗Rebuild cost per square foot varies significantly by region and materials
✗Doesn't predict your actual premium — that depends on location, claims history, and underwriting
✗Doesn't account for detached structures like garages or sheds
✗Local building codes and permit costs can push real rebuild costs higher than generic estimates

Common Mistakes to Avoid

!Insuring to purchase price or market value instead of rebuild cost
!Underestimating personal property, especially after years of accumulating belongings
!Skipping a rider for jewelry, art, or collectibles above the standard sub-limit
!Not revisiting coverage after a renovation that changes square footage or finishes

Expert Tips

★Get a professional replacement-cost estimate from your insurer or an appraiser for the most accurate dwelling number
★Do a home inventory (photos + receipts) to check your personal property limit is realistic
★Ask your insurer about extended or guaranteed replacement cost endorsements, which add a buffer above the stated limit
★Bundle home and auto policies — many insurers offer a discount that can offset a higher liability limit

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between rebuild cost and market value?

Market value includes the land and reflects what buyers would pay; rebuild cost is just the price to reconstruct the physical structure with today's labor and materials. Insurers use rebuild cost to set dwelling coverage — insuring to market value can leave you over- or under-insured.

How much personal property coverage do I need?

Most policies default to 50-70% of your dwelling coverage. If you have significant furniture, electronics, or other belongings, do a rough home inventory to check that percentage is actually enough — you can usually adjust it with your insurer.

What is loss-of-use coverage?

Also called Additional Living Expenses (ALE), this pays for temporary housing, meals, and other costs if a covered event makes your home unlivable during repairs. It's typically set as a percentage of your dwelling coverage, commonly around 20%.

Do I need a rider for jewelry or other valuables?

Standard policies usually cap coverage for categories like jewelry, art, and collectibles at a low sub-limit (often $1,000-$2,500 total). If you own items worth more than that, a scheduled personal property rider covers them at their appraised value.

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