How do I know if my home is insured for its full replacement value?
Ask your agent: "Is this Replacement Cost (RC) or Actual Cash Value (ACV)?" With RC, you're paid the full cost to rebuild today—even if it exceeds your policy limit (up to your dwelling limit). With ACV, you're paid depreciated value. We strongly recommend RC. If your home would cost $600,000 to rebuild but you only have $400,000 coverage, you pay the gap. Ensure your dwelling limit reflects current rebuild costs.
Let's Dive Deeper Into The Answer
From understanding rebuild costs in Casper to navigating coverage gaps, we break down the complex world of home insurance. Our local knowledge translates complicated policies into clear, practical protection.
COMMUNITY KNOWLEDGE
Understanding Wyoming rebuild costs, material availability challenges in rural areas, and what it actually costs to replace a home after hail damage, fire, or total loss in today's construction market.
TRUSTED GUIDANCE
Expert advice that helps you understand your dwelling coverage limits and whether your policy would actually rebuild your home—without pressure or confusing jargon.
Protect what matters
Insurance built on trust and deep community understanding.
Local Expertise You Can Trust
Instead of being stuck with one company's options, JWR compares rates and coverage across multiple top carriers. One call gets you access to multiple quotes, saving you time and money. Most families save $400+ per year when they switch.
We Shop 20+ Carriers
Insurance is only as good as the claim. JWR doesn't just sell you a policy and disappear. When disaster strikes, the team fights for you, handles the paperwork, and makes sure you're paid fairly and fast. Their claims support is rated 4.9/5 stars for a reason.
We're There When It Matters Most
Insurance is only as good as the claim. JWR doesn't just sell you a policy and disappear. When disaster strikes, the team fights for you, handles the paperwork, and makes sure you're paid fairly and fast. Their claims support is rated 4.9/5 stars for a reason.
Plain English
No-Pressure Service
No jargon. No fine print surprises. JWR explains everything like you're sitting at their kitchen table—because that's how they'd want to be treated. Coverage options are clear, bundles show real dollar savings, and you decide without sales pressure.
YOUR PROTECTION STARTS HERE
Get a coverage review or talk to a local expert about your dwelling limits
REAL ANSWERS. REAL PEOPLE.
Practical insurance guidance for Wyoming and Northern Colorado homeowners.
REPLACEMENT COST VS. ACTUAL CASH VALUE—THE CRITICAL DIFFERENCE
Ask your agent one simple question: "Is this Replacement Cost (RC) or Actual Cash Value (ACV)?" This determines what you actually get paid after a total loss. With Replacement Cost coverage, the insurance company pays the full cost to rebuild your home today—even if materials and labor have gone up since you bought the policy. With Actual Cash Value, you're only paid what your home was worth minus depreciation, which means if your 15-year-old home burns down, you get paid for a depreciated 15-year-old home, not what it costs to build new today. In Wyoming's current construction market with rising material costs, that difference can be $100,000 or more. We strongly recommend Replacement Cost coverage for your dwelling—it's the only way to actually rebuild after a total loss without paying a massive gap out of pocket.
IS YOUR DWELLING LIMIT HIGH ENOUGH TO REBUILD?
Here's the scary part most people miss: even with Replacement Cost coverage, if your dwelling limit is too low, you still pay the difference. If your home would cost $600,000 to rebuild today but your policy only has $400,000 dwelling coverage, you're writing a check for that $200,000 gap—even with Replacement Cost coverage. Rebuild costs in Wyoming have jumped significantly in recent years due to material shortages, labor costs, and supply chain issues. A home that cost $250,000 to build ten years ago might cost $400,000+ to rebuild today. Most Casper homes need dwelling limits reviewed every 2-3 years to keep pace with construction cost increases. We help homeowners understand current rebuild costs and adjust dwelling limits before a loss happens, not after when it's too late.
EXTENDED REPLACEMENT COST—EXTRA PROTECTION WORTH CONSIDERING
Some policies offer Extended Replacement Cost coverage that pays an additional percentage beyond your dwelling limit—typically 25% to 50% extra. If you have $400,000 dwelling coverage with 25% extended replacement cost, the policy would actually pay up to $500,000 to rebuild. This provides a safety buffer if rebuild costs exceed your estimate or if materials become scarce after widespread events like Wyoming hailstorms that damage hundreds of roofs simultaneously. Extended Replacement Cost costs slightly more in premiums but provides crucial protection against underinsurance. We compare policies with and without this feature so you understand exactly what protection you're getting and can make an informed decision based on your home's rebuild risk and your budget.
Looking for more FAQs?
Covers: Your home structure, attached garage, roof, personal belongings, liability if someone is injured on your property, and temporary housing if your home becomes uninhabitable. Doesn't Cover: Flood (separate policy), earthquakes (separate endorsement), wear and tear, and maintenance issues. Some policies exclude certain water damage scenarios. Review your specific policy or ask us to clarify.
It depends on your location. If you're in a FEMA flood zone or near a river/creek, flood insurance is essential—standard home insurance DOES NOT cover flood. Even if you're not in a flood zone, flash flooding happens. Wyoming's sudden storms and Colorado's seasonal flooding make it worth considering, especially if you're in Casper's North Platte area or along Front Range streams. We can assess your risk.
Home insurance in Wyoming and Colorado typically ranges from $800-$1,800 annually for $300,000-$500,000 homes, depending on age, construction, location, and deductible. Hail-prone areas (Casper, Fort Collins) may cost slightly more. Most homeowners save $300-$800/year by bundling with auto insurance and shopping multiple carriers. Get a free quote based on your home's specifics.
Actual Cash Value (ACV): If your 20-year-old roof is damaged, you're paid its depreciated value ($2,000), not the $15,000 cost to replace it. You pay the gap. Replacement Cost (RC): You're paid the full $15,000 to replace the roof, regardless of age. RC costs more in premiums but protects you fairly. For homes in hail-prone Wyoming and Colorado, we recommend RC for dwelling and personal property coverage.
(1) Document damage with photos. (2) Don't make permanent repairs until insurance inspects (unless emergency). (3) Call us immediately—we file the claim and coordinate with the adjuster. (4) We can recommend trusted local contractors in Casper, Fort Collins, or your area. (5) Once approved, insurance pays the contractor directly (usually). Hail claims are common here; we handle them routinely and fight for fair settlements.
Ask your agent: "Is this Replacement Cost (RC) or Actual Cash Value (ACV)?" With RC, you're paid the full cost to rebuild today—even if it exceeds your policy limit (up to your dwelling limit). With ACV, you're paid depreciated value. We strongly recommend RC. If your home would cost $600,000 to rebuild but you only have $400,000 coverage, you pay the gap. Ensure your dwelling limit reflects current rebuild costs.