When it comes time to shop for insurance, one of the many questions you’ll be faced is if you want to purchase coverage through local carriers in your state or region, or directly from large nationwide carriers.

When shopping for homeowners insurance, it can feel like you’re searching for all the right puzzle pieces that will perfectly fit in your policy to protect your home and your family. And with so many optional coverages to choose from on top of the policy requirements, it can be hard to know exactly what you’ll need.

It may be in the mid-70s today, but let’s be real. It’s mid-October which means we could experience single-digit weather any day now.

So … you’re closing on a home. Your offer has been accepted, your mortgage secured, you have applied for home insurance, and you have had a detailed foundation-to-roof inspection of the entire home.

You paid cash for your home and don’t have a mortgage? Whaaaat? Congratulations, that’s a HUGE accomplishment!

So, you know homeowners insurance covers all the “stuff” in your home, but what if that stuff isn’t actually inside your house?