Home & Property
Coverage A (Dwelling)
The homeowners policy section that covers the main structure of the home against damage from covered perils.
Last reviewed: May 2026 · Editorial methodology
Definition
Coverage A is the cornerstone of every homeowners policy, insuring the physical structure of the house itself — walls, roof, floors, built-in appliances, attached garages, and permanently installed fixtures. The Coverage A limit should reflect the full replacement cost of rebuilding the home from the ground up, not the market value (which includes land) or the purchase price. Insurers use replacement-cost estimators (e.g., CoreLogic, Marshall & Swift) to calculate recommended Coverage A limits, but the homeowner ultimately chooses the amount. Most policies require the home to be insured to at least 80% of replacement cost to avoid a coinsurance penalty at claim time. Extended replacement cost and guaranteed replacement cost endorsements provide buffers above the stated Coverage A limit. Coverage A typically excludes detached structures — those fall under Coverage B (Other Structures) — as well as land and landscaping.
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Cover Forge USA Editorial Team
Editorial Lead
This article was researched and written by the Cover Forge USA editorial team against federal sources (NAIC, CMS, FEMA, DOL, SSA, state DOIs) and standard policy forms. Bylines organize content by topic — they do not assert individual licensure. See our editorial-policy for details.
Reviewed 2026-06-14
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