While VA loans come with numerous benefits, they share many of the same requirements as conventional loans. For veterans seeking a VA loan to purchase a home, it's often required to purchase a homeowners insurance policy. Here is the basic info about homeowners insurance requirements:
Just like most conventional mortgages, loans offered through the VA require the buyer to have a homeowners insurance policy. The minimum policy amount can vary depending on where you live and the amount of the loan. However, the policy needs to cover common hazards to your property such as fire, smoke, vandalism, hail and other weather events. If you live in an officially-designated flood zone, you may also need to purchase a separate flood insurance policy.
While the VA doesn't offer homeowners insurance to veterans directly, there are some military-specific policies and discounts available through other providers. You can also opt for a policy through the United Services Automobile Association (USAA) which specializes in providing coverage for military personnel and their families.
If you have another insurance policy through a provider, it's worth inquiring about military or veteran discounts they may offer. Most insurance providers have competitive discounts for clients who purchase multiple policies, so your current provider is an excellent place to begin your search.
There is a wide range of qualifications for homeowners insurance discounts available to veterans, but there are specifics to consider. Some criteria that can affect your eligibility include current deployment, non-deployed active duty, Reserves or National Guard enlistment and status, length of service and the type of discharge you received. You may also qualify for a policy or discount as the spouse or direct family member of a military serviceperson.
Lana Harris is a Chicago native who is a second-generation real estate professional. She was introduced to real estate at a very young age while attending open houses with her mother who is a broker. She honed her skills assisting in property searches (back in the thick, Multiple Listing Service book days,) and using map reading skills to help plan property tour sequencing. Lana’s love of working with people and delivering strong customer service led her to the retail sector, where she developed her management skills at MC Sports, Ann Taylor, and Adidas. She and her husband moved to Utah in 2008 to enjoy the natural beauty of the mountains, and she began her real estate career here in 2015. Most recently, she was a VP of sales for a large team; she thrives on challenges and is determined to overcome obstacles to achieve results for her clients. Lana and her husband enjoy their three large dogs, skiing, camping and paddleboarding.
