Helping You Understand Your Co-Insurance Clause

Do you ever wonder why you are required to purchase building limits higher than you believe are necessary? If so, you are not alone. Insurance companies require you to buy building limits of insurance to satisfy the “Co-Insurance” clause in your policy.

Let us tell you more about Co-Insurance and why it’s an important part of your policy.

Co-Insurance requires that a home or business owner have a limit of insurance that is at least 80% of the total replacement cost of the property. Failing to meet this limit of insurance will result in a penalty and you would share in the loss. Here is how the penalty breaks down:

Co-Insurance Formula:

Amount Carried divided by Amount Required, multiplied by The Loss = Payment

Example #1:  80% Co-Insurance with inadequate limits:

Amount Carried: $160,000
Amount Required: $200,000
Total Replacement Cost: $250,000
Loss: $100,000
Payment: $80,000

(160,000 / 200,000) X 100,000 =$80,000 payment. (The insured did not meet the 80% required, so they are a Co-Insurer in the amount of $20,000)

Example #2: 80% co-ins with adequate limits:

Amount Carried: $200,000
Amount Required: $200,000
Total Replacement Cost: $250,000
Loss: $100,000
Payment: $100,000

($200,000 / $200,000)  X 100,000= $100,000 payment. (No co-insurance penalty applies.)

You may initially believe that committing to a conservative building limit would be a way to save money. In the long run, however, it would be unfortunate to encounter a loss and be left without adequate coverage.

If an insurance company determines you have purchased the proper limit, they will sometimes add terms to waive the co-insurance penalty. You can also ask your agent if you qualify for the “Agreed Amount Endorsement” to see if you can void the co-insurance clause.

The time to find out that you are not adequately insured is not the time of your loss. Be safe, protect your assets, and contact us for more information about your co-insurance clause.