Quick answer
Building codes matter most after a loss, not before one. If your home is damaged badly enough to require rebuilding, current code may require upgrades the original structure didn’t have, and a standard policy typically only pays to repair the damaged portion, not to bring the rest of the home up to code alongside it. That gap is what ordinance or law coverage is built to close.
This is especially relevant for older or historic Ohio homes, where current code can differ significantly from what the home was originally built to. We cover this specific provision, along with the other policy details that commonly cause high-value homes to fall short, in our full policy checklist guide.