Ask an Agent
Have a question? We're here to help.
Ask an agent for free
Question

What is O&L coverage and why do I have it?

The insurance agent said my O&L coverage won’t pay for code upgrades. So what is this coverage for?

Aug 13, 2024 Franklin, KY

Answer
Author profile picture
Kristine Lee
Insurance Data Insights Analyst

Kristine joined The Zebra in 2019 as an in-house content researcher and writer, with a property and casualty insurance license. Before joining The Ze…

Credentials
  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
  • 6+ years of Experience in the Insurance Industry

O and L stands for Ordinance and Law. Though your agent said that it wouldn't cover code upgrades, perhaps he meant that if a code went into law, your insurance isn't going to accept claims to upgrade the home and bring it up to code — unless your home suffers a loss.

What this coverage does is that if your home is damaged, you have additional funds to bring the building up to code with any new laws since the home was originally built. It is a good idea to have this coverage for older buildings to make sure any updates needed to the building are covered.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Ask an Agent
Have a question? We're here to help.
Ask an agent for free

Insurance is complicated, but it doesn't have to be.

The Zebra searches all of the top insurance companies, in one place, so you can compare the cost and coverage you need to protect your car, home and other property.

Step 1: Tell us a little about yourself

Choose an insurance product and enter your zip code to get started.

Step 2: Sip your coffee while we find the best quotes

Enter the necessary information and then sit back while we find quotes from 100 top insurance carriers.

Step 3: Compare your quotes

Compare quotes side-by-side to find the right match for you, whether it's home, auto, or more.

Step 4: Let our agents do the hard work for you

Once you pick your policy, our agents are here to get you over the finish line. Then just relax and enjoy your savings.

Compare home insurance quotes today!

Pin
Shield checkmark No junk mail. No spam calls. Free quotes.

Related Questions

Other people are also asking...

Is the AARP connection valuable or just a gimmick?

That’s a fair question, because the AARP branding can make it sound like you’re getting a completely different type of insurance product. In reality, AARP doesn’t sell insurance itself. Instead, it partners with insurers, and for home and auto coverage, the partner is The HartfordSo the policy you’…
Mar 10, 2026 Yakima, WA

My musical equipment stolen from friend's house covered by insurance

This can be tricky. From my experience, most home insurance policies will cover stolen property even if it's not the property of the named insured (your friend) but I would consult their policy declarations page to be sure. The tricky thing has to do with the value of the assets. If your musical eq…
Apr 8, 2022 El Paso, TX

What is the difference between personal property and building property?

Greetings!Thank you for reaching out to The Zebra. This is a great question that can go in a few different directions. But first, let's address how these are different. Personal property coverage will provide coverage to any personal belongings in the home. Basically, if you were to take the roof o…
Mar 30, 2023 Chicago, IL

If I'm not on the mortgage, can I still get homeowners insurance?

Thank you for reaching out to The Zebra! The short answer is yes, you should be able to get insurance on the house, but it might not be straightforward. You will likely have to make a couple of calls to get this sorted out the way that both the insurance company and mortgage company want.You will n…
Oct 16, 2025 Memphis, TN