Updating my homeowner’s insurance has been interesting. The insurance appraiser had difficulty classifying the usual characteristics – “your roof is rubber?” – “only one bedroom on the second floor?” – “the hallway is a breezeway?” – “your interior walls are wood and stone?” Their appraisal came in significantly lower than our cost even though I showed them the cost sheet. However since the insurance company guarantees full replacement regardless of the appraised cost, I decided to stick with their appraisal – since the premium is cheaper – only a few hundred dollars more per year than our old house.