A home is often a person’s most valuable possession, yet many homeowners have only a vague idea of what their home insurance policy covers. And too often, it is not until disaster strikes that they find their insurance coverage is inadequate.

This guide is designed to help you understand home insurance policies—what they typically cover and don’t cover, what affects their rates, and how and under what circumstance they can be cancelled or not renewed. It also tells you how to seek help in case you have a dispute with an insurance company.