The surprising things your homeowners insurance company needs to know

The things your homeowners insurance carrier needs to know and why

Your insurer needs to know about your lifestyle and home, such as your dog breed, occupation, deck square footage, and whether you have a trampoline or pool, to determine risk and premiums.

Factor	Why it matters	Possible impact	Average rate impact
Dog breed	Home insurance liability coverage pays if your dog bites someone. Breed restrictions and pet history indicate coverage risks	Increased rates, denied coverage, or liability exclusions	1% to 2% rate increase
Occupation	Many insurers offer discounts for certain jobs, like teaching or military service	Discounts may be available	Varies by company and occupation
Deck square footage and materials	An attached deck is covered by your dwelling coverage, and the size impacts the replacement cost; some decks require permits	Increased replacement cost to cover the deck	Varies by size and type of deck
Trampoline or swimming pool	Trampolines and pools can lead to injuries and liability claims	Increased liability coverage and possibly an umbrella policy	2% rate increase
Home business use	Standard insurance doesn’t cover business inventory, equipment, or liability	Added endorsements and increased coverage limits	6% rate increase
Short-term rental use	Standard policies don’t cover business or short-term rental use	Need for rental use endorsement or host policy	$40-$60 a year (endorsement, room in your home) $600-$4,000+ a year, full home, separate policy*
Wood-burning stove/fireplace	Increased risk of fires in the home	You may need an inspection or certified installation and may lead to higher rates	4% rate increase
Vacancy	Empty homes are more prone to vandalism and damage	Add a vacancy endorsement or buy a different policy	40% to 60% increase**

*Obie Landlord Insurance, 2026

**AmeriSave, 2026

All other data sourced by Insurance.com through Quadrant Information Services, 2026

Do I have to tell my homeowners insurance company about my dog?

Yes. Many insurers ask about the dogs in your household and may consider breed, bite history, and other factors when determining eligibility and liability coverage.

Although your homeowners insurance won’t cover damage to the home from a dog, it will offer liability coverage if your dog bites someone. The average home insurance payout for dog-related claims in 2025 was $65,450, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

Some insurers, like State Farm, don’t raise rates based on your dog’s breed. Instead, they review each dog’s history and may raise rates or decline coverage based on past incidents.

Always disclose the dog honestly. Undisclosed pets are increasingly flagged during claims review and can lead to denied claims and coverage loss.

Does my homeowners insurance company need to know my job?

It’s not usually required, but it can affect your rates. Your occupation itself rarely changes your base rate, but several insurers offer occupation-based discounts or savings for participating in a professional organization. For example, Farmers offers savings to professionals such as teachers and firefighters, as well as military discounts for active or retired service members. Many other carriers, such as State Farm, GEICO, and Nationwide, also offer occupation discounts.

If you work from home or have a home-based business, your insurance needs may change, especially if you invite clients to your home or store stock.

Does the square footage of my deck matter to my insurer?

Yes, size determines whether a deck needs a permit, and decks are usually covered by the dwelling coverage limit because they’re attached structures. Your insurer may deny a claim if an accident, injury, or damage occurs on an unpermitted deck. An unpermitted addition or structure can create coverage problems, particularly if the insurer wasn't notified or local building requirements weren't met. Your dwelling coverage needs to be high enough to cover the home and all attached structures.

According to PermitDeck, you’ll likely need a building permit if your deck is attached to your house, more than 30 inches above grade, or larger than 200 square feet. However, actual rules vary by city and county.

Many municipalities use satellite imagery and aerial photos to catch unpermitted construction, which can lead to fines, denied claims, and possibly canceled home insurance coverage. It’s essential to obtain a permit before constructing a deck, shed, or other structure, and to inform your insurer of the structure and its square footage.

“And if those outbuildings have plumbing and electrical, and they start to look like second structures or auxiliary dwelling units,” said Lisa Gill, Investigative Reporter for Consumer Reports. “All that kind of stuff can definitely increase your price, but you have to tell them because if you don't, it looks like fraud because you're not telling them the truth [about] everything that is on your property.”

Do insurers need to know about pools and trampolines?

Pools and trampolines are called “attractive nuisances” by insurance companies, a term that refers to features that pose an increased injury risk, particularly to children. Insurers may require safety measures, additional liability coverage, or an umbrella policy. Insurers typically require pools to have fencing and a self-latching gate, and trampolines often require a fence and safety netting.

In-ground or permanent above-ground pools may fall under either your dwelling coverage or your other structures coverage, which is capped at around 10% of your dwelling coverage limit.

Insurers may also require increased liability coverage or an umbrella policy, or exclude them outright from your home insurance policy.

Do I have to tell my homeowners insurance company if I run a home-based business?

Yes, standard home insurance policies usually have low limits for business property and exclude business liability altogether. Your insurer needs to know what kind of business you run from home and whether you keep any inventory on-site, since that affects your coverage needs.

Ask your insurer about an in-home business endorsement or business owner’s policy (BOP) if you see clients, store inventory, or use equipment at home.

“If you're running a commercial entity, your homeowner's insurance will not cover that. Period. You need separate business insurance,” said Gill.

“If your insurance company refuses to cover you because they say that you falsely represented what your coverage is, they can turn around and sue you for fraud, and the victims can sue you for all your assets. It's like the worst-case scenario.”

Do I need to tell my insurer about Airbnb or short-term rental use?

Yes, standard homeowners insurance policies don’t cover Airbnb or short-term rentals, which are considered business use. Undisclosed rental use can cause denied claims and loss of coverage.

To cover short-term rental use, you need either a rental endorsement or a specialized host policy.

Although Airbnb offers some host protections, it does not replace personal liability coverage or your homeowners insurance.

“An umbrella policy is going to [offer] higher liability coverage. [It's] especially [important] if you have people coming and staying in the tiny house in your backyard,” said Gill.

Does a wood-burning stove or fireplace affect my insurance?

Yes, a wood-burning stove or fireplace can affect home insurance rates. They are common underwriting flags due to fire risk, and some insurers require an inspection or a certified installation; some insurers will impose a surcharge that increases your rates.

Wood-burning stoves and fireplaces are commonly overlooked disclosures, along with knob-and-tube wiring and older electrical panels, since homeowners may not think to disclose them to insurers.

Does my home insurance company need to know if my home is vacant?

Yes, your insurer needs to know if your home is vacant. Vacant properties face a higher risk of vandalism or other damage because no one is there. Most standard home insurance policies limit or suspend coverage after a property has been vacant for a period, usually 30-60 days. A vacant home may require a specialized policy.

Note that "vacant" and "unoccupied" are different. Vacant means the house is clear of furniture and belongings, while unoccupied means the house contains personal belongings but no people.

Vacant properties, such as inherited homes or extended travel situations, can be overlooked disclosures that can affect underwriting.

The full underwriting checklist: What else insurers factor in

Other lesser-known factors that can affect home insurance include:

Claims history: Insurers may consider both your personal claims history and the property’s previous claims when assessing risk.
Credit history: In most states, insurers can use credit-based insurance scores when determining premiums and eligibility.
Fire protection: The distance to the nearest fire station and fire hydrant can affect how insurers assess your home’s fire risk.
Construction: Your home’s age, construction materials and overall condition can influence underwriting decisions and rates.
Marital status: Some states allow insurers to consider marital status when setting homeowners insurance rates.
Insurance history: A lapse in coverage or previous non-renewal can make it harder to qualify with some insurers.
Security systems: Alarm systems, smart-home technology and other safety devices may reduce your premium rather than count against you.
Roof: Insurers typically consider your roof’s age, material, condition and date of its last replacement when underwriting a policy.

The bottom line: What to disclose before you're asked

Disclose any changes to your insurer regarding your home, lifestyle, and business use.

The common thread across all the factors above is that insurers penalize surprise, not risk itself. Accurate disclosure up front is usually better than discovering a coverage problem after a claim. Review your policy annually and redisclose any changes, such as a new pet, a new deck, or a new side business, rather than waiting until renewal.

FAQ

Can homeowners insurance deny a claim over an undisclosed dog?

Yes, your insurer can deny a claim if you didn’t disclose that you have a dog or the dog’s breed. Because your homeowners liability coverage may pay for injuries or property damage caused by your dog, it's important to provide accurate information when applying for coverage. That helps ensure your policy responds as expected if you need to file a claim.

Do I have to tell my insurance company about a home addition?

Yes, because a home addition expands the square footage, and you may need to increase your dwelling and liability coverages accordingly. Claims may be denied if home additions aren’t permitted, if necessary, or disclosed when buying coverage.

Does my insurance score affect my mortgage?

No. Your insurance score does not directly affect your mortgage approval or interest rate. Your lender uses your credit and financial information to evaluate your mortgage, while insurers may use an insurance score to help determine your homeowners insurance premium.

Can I get insurance with a restricted dog breed?

Yes, you can still get homeowners insurance with a restricted dog breed. However, some insurers may exclude liability coverage for dog-related incidents, even if they insure your home. Some insurers, like State Farm, don’t exclude specific dog breeds but review each dog’s history to determine coverage availability.

What happens if I don't disclose Airbnb hosting to my insurer?

Failing to disclose Airbnb hosting can lead to denied claims or voided coverage. Add a rental endorsement or get a specialized host policy to cover short-term rentals.