Dwelling Coverage (Coverage A) Calculator
Estimate the rebuild cost of your home and check whether your current carrier's number leaves you underinsured.
Your inputs
How this is calculated
Baseline cost-per-square-foot tiers ($165 basic / $230 standard / $320 custom / $450 luxury) are adjusted by ZIP-region multipliers (West Coast & New England ~1.2–1.25×, Mountain West ~1.05×, Midwest ~0.95×). Multi-story (+8%), basement (+7%), and garages (+$12k per stall) layer on top. Local labor markets vary — treat this as a sanity check, not a binding number.
Underinsured? Get a second opinion.
An independent advisor can re-rate your dwelling coverage with multiple carriers and find one that won't shortchange a total loss.
Frequently asked questions
Is dwelling coverage the same as my home's market value?
No. Dwelling coverage (Coverage A) should match what it would cost to rebuild your home from the foundation up using current labor and materials. Market value includes land and neighborhood demand, which insurance doesn't cover.
How much dwelling coverage do I need?
Most carriers want Coverage A to equal 100% of rebuild cost so replacement-cost settlement clauses apply. If you're insured for less than ~80% of rebuild, you may be penalized on partial losses through coinsurance.
Why is my carrier's estimate different?
Carrier rebuild estimators rely on partial property data and standardized cost tables. They can be 10–25% low in high-cost regions or for custom-built homes. This calculator uses regional construction multipliers as a sanity check.
What happens if I'm underinsured during a total loss?
You get your policy limit, minus deductible. If rebuilding actually costs $580k and your Coverage A is $400k, you cover the $180k gap out of pocket — even with extended replacement cost endorsements, which usually cap at 25–50% above the limit.
Should I include the garage and basement?
Yes — both add to rebuild cost. Detached garages may shift to Coverage B (Other Structures), typically set at 10% of Coverage A. Finished basements should be included in your dwelling square footage.