What veterans should know about homeowners insurance requirements

by Cheryl Cook 08/05/2024

While VA loans come with numerous benefits, they share many of the same requirements as conventional loans. For veterans seeking a VA loan to purchase a home, it's often required to purchase a homeowners insurance policy. Here is the basic info about homeowners insurance requirements:

Is homeowners insurance required for a VA loan?

Just like most conventional mortgages, loans offered through the VA require the buyer to have a homeowners insurance policy. The minimum policy amount can vary depending on where you live and the amount of the loan. However, the policy needs to cover common hazards to your property such as fire, smoke, vandalism, hail and other weather events. If you live in an officially-designated flood zone, you may also need to purchase a separate flood insurance policy.

Military-specific policies and discounts

While the VA doesn't offer homeowners insurance to veterans directly, there are some military-specific policies and discounts available through other providers. You can also opt for a policy through the United Services Automobile Association (USAA) which specializes in providing coverage for military personnel and their families.

If you have another insurance policy through a provider, it's worth inquiring about military or veteran discounts they may offer. Most insurance providers have competitive discounts for clients who purchase multiple policies, so your current provider is an excellent place to begin your search.

Eligibility

There is a wide range of qualifications for homeowners insurance discounts available to veterans, but there are specifics to consider. Some criteria that can affect your eligibility include current deployment, non-deployed active duty, Reserves or National Guard enlistment and status, length of service and the type of discharge you received. You may also qualify for a policy or discount as the spouse or direct family member of a military serviceperson.

About the Author
Author

Cheryl Cook

Hi, I'm CHERYL COOK and I'd love to assist you. Whether you're looking for advice and guidance to prepare your property for sale or in the research phase of your real estate search or you know exactly what you're looking for, you'll benefit from having a real estate professional by your side. I'd be honored to put my real estate experience to work for you.
I am a dedicated full-time Broker Associate with eXp Realty. I obtained my New Jersey Real Estate License in 2003 and mentored under seasoned Real Estate professionals who taught and inspired me with their experiences. As a member of the National, State, and North Central Jersey Association of REALTORS® I have achieved the Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®), and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designations as well as Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource (SFR®) certification. I specialize in residential sales in Somerset, Union, Middlesex and Essex Counties.
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