Don't get confused about water damage, however. Flood insurance is for damage from a rising body of water, such as a river or an ocean. But damage from burst pipes or a leaky roof is covered by most homeowner s policies. As for the contents of the house, there are usually limits on personal-property coverage. Most policies will insure the contents of your home for 50 to 70 percent of the total coverage, but you can buy more.
Most policies also place caps on insuring certain valuables, such as jewelry, cash, and furs.
To insure them, you will need a rider. To help document an insurance claim, prepare an inventory of everything in your home, including indoor and outdoor furniture, appliances, china, silverware, and clothing. Take pictures of the items in each room, opening the doors of cupboards and closets, and be sure to update the photos periodically. Then make a list of the models and serial numbers of appliances and electrical equipment and gather receipts for major purchases. Store the inventory, photos, and related documents in a safe-deposit box or in a secure place away from home.