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Home InsuranceJune 22, 2025

Is Your Home Underinsured? How to Find the Gap

Underinsurance is invisible — right up until you file a claim and discover your policy won't cover the full loss. The good news is it's easy to check for in advance.

The common signs you're underinsured

  • Your policy limit hasn't changed in years, while construction costs have risen sharply.
  • You renovated and never updated your coverage.
  • You insured to purchase price instead of rebuild cost.
  • You have actual cash value (depreciated) rather than replacement cost coverage.
  • Your liability limits and umbrella haven't kept pace with your net worth.

How to check

  1. Get a current reconstruction estimate and compare it to your dwelling limit.
  2. Confirm your coverage type — replacement cost, ideally guaranteed or extended.
  3. List renovations since your last review and make sure they're reflected.
  4. Compare your umbrella to your net worth — the coverage gap calculator makes this quick.

Why it matters most for high-value homes

The bigger and more custom the home, the larger the dollar gap if you're under-insured — and the more likely the original estimate was low. A quick review closes it before a claim exposes it.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my home is underinsured? Compare your dwelling limit to a current rebuild-cost estimate, check that you have replacement-cost coverage, and confirm renovations are reflected. Gaps in any of these mean underinsurance.

What happens if my home is underinsured at claim time? You may receive only a partial payout, covering your stated limit and leaving you responsible for the rest of the rebuild.

How often should I check? Annually, and after any renovation or significant rise in construction costs.

More in this series: Why You Must Update Insurance After a Renovation · Extended vs Guaranteed Replacement Cost

Related: Coverage Gap Calculator → · The Equity-Wealthy Household’s Insurance Guide →


Insuring a high-value home is rarely just about the structure; Home Insurance in Bothell and Canyon Park and Scheduled Personal Property: Covering Your Valuables round out the picture.

Trella Insurance is an independent brokerage in Bellevue, WA. Try the coverage gap calculator or request a free review.

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