The Different Ways to Protect Your Home and How to Choose (2026)

Updated October 2026. For homeowners choosing between a warranty, insurance, disaster prep and security, and for anyone buying or selling soon.

The way to protect your home is to match each tool to the risk it covers. Insurance pays for sudden damage; about 1 in 18 insured homes files a claim each year, and the average claim was $20,062 in 2023 (ISO data via Triple-I). A home warranty pays for worn-out systems. Flood needs its own policy, with a 30-day wait.

Jump to: 🛠️ Warranty · 💲 Insurance · 🌀 Disasters · 🔒 Security · ❓ FAQ

Most people buy protection backward: cameras first, flood cover never. Here’s how to choose, starting with what actually damages homes.

What actually damages homes most often?

Insurance data is the best guide, because it counts real claims. According to the Insurance Information Institute, using ISO data, 5.3% of insured homes had a claim in 2023. Nearly all of the money went to property damage, not liability.

The frequency figures are Triple-I calculations on earlier ISO years, so treat them as a rough guide. The lesson is still clear. Weather and water are the big risks. Burglary matters, but it’s a small share of losses.

Should you get a home warranty?

A home warranty is a service contract, not insurance. It pays to repair or replace covered systems and appliances that fail from normal use, like a water heater or an HVAC unit. You pay a monthly plan cost, then a set service fee each time you request a repair.

Prices vary by home size, location and coverage. American Home Shield, for example, says on its home warranty costs page that plans can start under $1 a day, plus that per-request service fee. Read what’s excluded before you sign. Many plans cap payouts or skip items with pre-existing problems.

A warranty makes the most sense in a home with older systems you don’t want to replace out of pocket. It’s also common in a sale: sellers sometimes offer a one-year warranty to make buyers feel safer about an older home. If you’re keeping appliances in shape yourself, see how to make sure your home appliances are always working properly.

What does homeowners insurance cover, and what doesn’t it?

A standard homeowners policy covers sudden damage from things like fire, wind, hail and theft, plus liability if someone is hurt on your property. It doesn’t pay for wear and tear. That’s the gap a warranty fills.

Two common gaps catch people out:

• Flood. Rising water isn’t covered by a standard policy. You need flood insurance, from the NFIP or a private insurer.
• Earthquake. In many states it’s a separate policy or endorsement.

Keep a home inventory. Triple-I reports that only 47% of homeowners had one in a 2023 survey. A phone video of every room, updated once a year and saved online, makes any claim faster. For a broader view, read how to make sure your home and assets are protected.

How do you protect your home from natural disasters?

Wind and hurricanes

Storm shutters or impact windows protect glass from flying debris. Plywood is the low-cost fallback, but it has to be cut, fitted and fastened well before a storm, or it can tear loose. Check your roof for loose shingles and clear gutters before storm season. If a storm has already hit, our guide to getting disaster assistance after Hurricane Irma explains how federal aid works.

Flood

Per FloodSmart, the NFIP’s site, a flood policy lasts one year, and coverage usually starts 30 days after you buy it, with a few exceptions. Building coverage goes up to $250,000, and contents up to $100,000. Don’t wait for a storm forecast to buy. Keep key papers in a watertight box.

Water leaks and freezing

Water damage is the second biggest loss. A leak sensor under each sink and the water heater is cheap. In cold climates, keep heat on and pipes insulated when you travel. Our list of plumbing issues to address before listing your house doubles as a leak checklist.

Fire and wildfire

Ready.gov warns that a fire can become life-threatening in just two minutes. The U.S. Fire Administration says to test smoke alarms every month and replace them every 10 years. In wildfire areas, clear brush near the house and use fire-resistant materials where you can.

How do you protect your home from burglars?

Burglars prefer an empty house, so make yours look lived-in. Use alarms on doors and windows, motion lights around the outside, and good locks. Many owners also place surveillance cameras near entrances, a step Forbes Advisor’s camera reviews can help with.

A dog, a neighbor who picks up packages and a neighborhood watch all help too. When you travel, tell a trusted neighbor and pause deliveries.

Protect your valuables inside

Keep jewelry, cash and key documents in a safe bolted to the floor, or in a bank box. Thieves know the usual hiding spots, like the freezer and the sock drawer. Photograph serial numbers and keep copies of deeds and titles online.

Renting the home out? Landlords have their own duties after a storm. See the rights of landlords during a natural disaster.

How does home protection affect buying or selling a home?

Protection choices follow the house when it sells. Buyers should ask for the age of the roof, HVAC and water heater, the flood zone, and any insurance claims. Many states require sellers to disclose known defects and past flood damage. Our guide to seller disclosures explains what to share.

If you’re selling, a one-year home warranty can be a simple way to ease a buyer’s worry about older systems. When you’re ready to list, a flat fee MLS listing with Beycome starts at $99, with $0 at closing. If you’re buying, the Beycome buyer program has no upfront fee; Beycome keeps 1% of the price, minimum $1,499, and credits the rest of the buyer-agent commission at closing, with lender approval. It’s open to every buyer on homes listed by other agents; the credit can’t apply where no buyer-agent commission is offered, like most FSBO homes, or on homes listed by Beycome sellers.

How do you choose the right protection for your home?

Start with your local risk, not with a product. Look up your flood zone. Ask your insurer what’s excluded. Then fill the gaps in this order: insurance and flood first, a warranty if your systems are old, then security.

Budget matters, and so does how hands-on you want to be. A $20 leak sensor and a working smoke alarm can do more than a costly camera system. Review your setup once a year, before storm season.

Frequently asked questions