High-value home insurance in the Capital Region
A larger or older house doesn't just need a bigger number on the same policy. Slate roofs, plaster walls, a lake house that sits empty in winter, a ring that's worth more than the contents limit, someone who works in the house every day: each of these is a place where a standard policy pays less than people expect. I find those places first, then quote the form that closes them.
High-value home insurance is a homeowners policy written for houses whose rebuild cost or materials outgrow a standard form. It usually brings guaranteed or extended replacement cost, the option to take cash instead of rebuilding, higher contents and jewelry limits, and adjusters who handle older and custom construction. Each carrier sets its own threshold, so I quote the standard and the high-value form side by side and show the difference.
Where a standard policy falls short on a larger house
- The rebuild figure. A limit set when the house was bought, or copied from the last renewal, is often well under what it costs to rebuild today, and custom or historic materials widen the gap.
- How the claim is settled. Extended replacement cost caps what the carrier adds above the limit. Guaranteed replacement cost, where it's offered, doesn't. Some high-value forms also let you take the settlement in cash instead of rebuilding.
- Jewelry, watches and art. The contents coverage has low special limits on these. Pieces worth more belong on a schedule, with an appraisal.
- Water. Sewer and sump-pump backup is excluded from the standard form unless you add it, and flood is never covered by a homeowners policy. Both matter more with a finished lower level.
- Liability. More assets mean more to lose in a lawsuit. The home's liability limit is where a personal umbrella starts.
What I review
- A current replacement-cost estimate, built from the house as it is today, not the purchase price or the assessment.
- The settlement terms on the house and the roof: guaranteed, extended or actual cash value, and any cash-out option.
- A list of valuables that should be scheduled, and when the appraisals were last updated.
- Water backup and flood, priced separately so you can see each one.
- Every other property: a lake house, a camp, a rental, a parent's empty house, and whether each one is written for how it's actually used.
- People who work in the house, and whether the hours call for workers' compensation and disability and Paid Family Leave.
- The umbrella, and whether the home and auto limits underneath it meet what the umbrella carrier requires.
Then I quote the standard form and the high-value form side by side, so you can see what the difference buys. If what you have is right, I'll say so.
Everything reviewed together, once a year
For households with several homes, cars, valuables and a business to insure, Private Client puts all of it with one licensed agent and a yearly review. Quotes for any single policy cost you nothing either way; see pricing.
What to bring
- The declarations pages for your home, auto, umbrella and any other properties.
- Recent appraisals for jewelry, watches, art or collections.
- Major updates to the house since it was built: roof, kitchen, systems, additions.
- Who works in the house, and roughly how many hours a week.
Request a review, or start with the coverage gap check to see where your own policies are thin. More on the standard form: homeowners insurance.
- Homeowners insurance: basic coverage and adding coverage (NY DFS) — typical special limit of $1,500 for theft of jewelry, watches and furs; workers' compensation in policies on one- to four-family owner-occupied dwellings for employees under 40 hours a week; read October 16, 2026
- Is workers' compensation coverage required? Household employers (NY WCB) — required at 40 or more hours a week for the same employer or a live-in worker; homeowners rider doesn't cover them; read October 16, 2026
- Is disability and Paid Family Leave coverage required? Household employers (NY WCB) — required at 20 or more hours a week and 30 or more days in a calendar year for the same employer; read October 16, 2026
- Insurance Law §3404, standard fire insurance policy (NY Senate) — no liability for loss while a building is vacant or unoccupied beyond sixty consecutive days unless otherwise provided in writing; checked 2026-10-15
- Homeowners insurance resource center (NY Department of Financial Services)
- Flood insurance (FEMA)
Common questions
Short answers to what people ask before they call.
Still have a question? Call (518) 902-8822 or book a call.
When does a house need a high-value policy instead of a standard one?
Once the rebuild cost reaches the level where high-value carriers write the home, or when the house has materials a standard policy won't replace like for like, such as slate, plaster, original millwork or custom stone. Each carrier sets its own threshold, so there's no single number. I run a current replacement-cost estimate first and quote both forms when the house qualifies.
What does a high-value policy do that a standard one doesn't?
The usual differences are guaranteed or extended replacement cost on the house, the option to take a cash settlement instead of rebuilding, higher limits on contents and on jewelry, and claims handled by adjusters used to older and custom construction. The exact terms vary by carrier, and I put them side by side on the quote.
Is my jewelry, art or watch collection covered by my homeowners policy?
Only up to the special limits inside the contents coverage, which are low. The Department of Financial Services gives $1,500 as a typical limit for theft of jewelry, watches and furs. Anything worth more should be scheduled on its own, with an appraisal, so it's covered for its listed value. I go through the list with you and tell you which pieces need it.
My house is in a trust. Does that change the policy?
It can. If the house is deeded to a trust or an LLC, the carrier should know, and the owner of record should be on the policy in the way that carrier requires, so a claim isn't held up over who owns the house. Bring the deed or the trust summary and I'll check how the policy is written today.
Does my policy cover a housekeeper or nanny who works in the house?
Only part-time help. The workers' compensation inside a New York homeowners policy applies to employees working less than 40 hours a week. The Workers' Compensation Board requires a separate workers' compensation policy once a domestic worker works 40 or more hours a week for the same household or lives in, and disability and Paid Family Leave coverage once a worker is there 20 or more hours a week on 30 or more days in a calendar year. I set both up.
What about a lake house or second home that's empty in the winter?
Tell the carrier which months it's closed. The standard fire policy in Insurance Law §3404 says the insurer isn't liable for loss while a building is vacant or unoccupied beyond 60 consecutive days unless the policy provides otherwise in writing, so a seasonal home should be written as one. Keep the heat on or have the water shut off and the pipes drained, and keep the receipt.
Get an auto or home quote
Your current declarations page is all I need to compare like for like. If you're already well placed, I'll say so.
Where I work
I'm based in Clifton Park and work in person across six counties, the four on the map plus Warren and Washington, or by phone.
Close to the Clifton Park office: Clifton Knolls, Country Knolls, Rexford, Vischer Ferry, Jonesville, Groom's Corners and Halfmoon across Route 9 — I'll come to you at home.
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