You have a lot of options when buying fire insurance. The type of policy you choose—and the price you pay—depends on a lot of factors, including the type of house you own, your location and proximity to firefighters, and what’s included in your coverage. Here are a few questions you should ask when buying home fire insurance.

Does the policy cover the contents of the home as well as the dwelling itself?

Not every fire insurance policy covers the contents of your house as well as the house itself. Check the fine print of every policy and be sure to ask this question before you buy fire insurance. If the policy does cover contents, it’s a good idea to make a written list or take pictures or video of everything you own. This will establish value in case you have to file a claim.

Is replacement cost covered?

Many home fire insurance policies cover only the amount of money your items were worth at the time you lost them. This can be a serious problem; for example, your old computer may not have been worth much money, but it could cost you hundreds or thousands to replace it. Policies that cover only current worth tend to be cheaper, but it may be worth it to buy a policy that covers replacement cost.

What’s affecting my rate?

Home fire insurance rates are affected by a variety of factors, including the materials your home is made of (less flammable material, such as stone or brick, can be less costly to insure than wood); your proximity to the nearest fire station; the age and type of your building; and the occupancy level—whether it’s a single-family or multi-family home.

What causes of fire does the policy cover?

Not every type of fire is covered. Standard fire insurance policies may not cover fires resulting from earthquakes, riots, forest fires, or acts of war. They may also not cover theft of items in your home that take place after a fire. Check with your policy; if your area is prone to earthquakes or other natural phenomena that cause fires, you may want to insist on a policy that covers these things.

What discounts are available?

Fire insurance companies often give discounts if you have fire sprinkler systems installed; if there are smoke alarms on every floor of your house; and if you own one or more fire extinguishers. You can also get discounts for insuring your home and car with the same company.

Does the company have a good track record?

It’s rarely a good idea to choose an insurance company without doing research. Check them out to see how many years they’ve been in business, their compliant and claims record, and the typical amount of the payouts they make. Most insurance companies keep this information. You can also search online for consumer comments and reviews.

It’s never a good idea to choose a fire insurance policy without first doing some research and comparison shopping. Look for a policy that isn’t just affordable, but also covers the contents of your home at replacement cost and causes of fire that might be likely in your area. Not all policies—or fire insurance companies—are created equally, so a little research goes a long way.