Does Homeowners Insurance Cover a Home Office?

A standard homeowners policy may cover some home office equipment and basic liability, but the limits are low and business liability is often excluded. If you run a real business from home, a rider or a separate business policy is usually the safer choice.

Personal property coverage generally includes household belongings, and some of your home office equipment may fall under it. But the standard limit for business property is often low, so an expensive computer, camera, or specialized equipment can exceed it quickly.

Liability is the bigger gap. If a client visits your home and is injured, or if something you make or sell causes harm, a standard homeowners policy may not cover business-related liability at all. That exposure is one of the most overlooked risks for people who work from home.

Tell your agent exactly what you do from home and what equipment you use. They can add a home business endorsement that raises property limits and adds business liability coverage, or recommend a separate business owners policy if your operation is larger.

This matters for the many Philadelphia-area professionals who work from home, from consultants and designers to tutors and small shops. The cost of a small endorsement is usually modest compared with the risk of an uncovered claim or lawsuit.