Whether you live in a one-bedroom dwelling or a five-bedroom detached house, your home is no doubt your castle and this is why it is important to make sure that you have the right protection in place in case something should go wrong.

What if there was a fire or the roof was damaged in a hurricane? Would you be able to pay for the repairs? And where would you live if your house was uninhabitable? Your home also contains some of your most valuable possessions. Think about it, could you really be able to afford to replace your flat screen TV or your jewellery collection if you were the target of burglars?

There are two types of home insurance; buildings and contents coverage. Buildings insurance covers the damage to the structure of your home, so the roof, walls and windows importantly to note is that buildings insurance policies may vary based on the provider, but they should all insure your home in case of fire, storm, flood, lightening, explosion, theft and other risks.

Most insurers offer extra coverage if you need it, though you will normally has to pay an additional premium. Accidental damage is one of the most popular policy add-ons. You might also want to consider legal expenses cover.

Another point to consider is that you don’t just need to insure the structure of your home; you also need to insure its contents against loss or damage caused by theft, fire, storms, lightning, flooding or water leakage, as well as explosions and other natural disasters.

The contents of your home might be more valuable than you think. You will be amazed at the accumulative value of the contents in your home. The best way to make sure you have adequate cover is to walk round your house room by room and make an inventory of your possessions. Contents also include clothes, furniture, carpets and curtains. If you are unsure, it might help if you think of the things you would take with you if you were to move house.

When shopping for home insurance, look out for competitive quotes and ask the insurer for details that you are not too clear on – after all they are there to give you all the relevant information you need. Additionally, make sure you read the terms and conditions of the policy carefully before you sign.

It is true that home insurance in Jamaica does not carry a low premium in fact it is sometimes claimed that it is extremely high. However because Jamaican real estate is susceptible to natural disasters such as floods and hurricanes then the risk is greater hence the premium charged on the Jamaican property will be higher.

You might be able to avoid additional costs by getting an umbrella policy that places, motor, home estate, life and personal effects in one insurance policy. Just do the necessary leg work to find your best fit. All in all, make sure to go for an Insurance Company that is reputable and will willingly collect data from you easily in a claim form and offer good customer service and personalized assistance.