If your insurance is going to pay for wood, then get wood. If you loved your hickory, then go with hickory throughout. Or you can get a character grade white oak that will have much of the same look of hickory with a better price tag.

Your location will dictate whether or not LVT is going to work. Without knowing the details of your location, we can't offer much more than "wood is better"; especially when someone else is going to pay for it.

Jamie LK, go with engineered hardwood or hardwood that will last you forever.

Definitely choose wood. Vinyls are great, however, for resale value, wood is the absolute best ROI especially for the main living areas. You can choose an engineered or solid- whichever makes most sense. We are able to provide engineered HW that can be sanded and refinished just as many times as solid. If the wear and tear is something you are worried about, consider choose a floor that has a reclaimed look with a strong grain pattern and saw markings that can hide many of the scratches and discrepancies that will happen over time. If that specific design isn't your style, consider a light color floor. Oiled floors are a decent choice because fixing superficial scratches are relatively easy. Oaks are good because of their graining and if kept a light color- will be able to disguise many of the scratches. You can ALWAYS sand and refinish your floors a few years down the line if needed. Plus, when you go to sell and the floors have been lived on- they can be sanded and finished for the new buyer. A vinyl floor will need to be replaced. Hardwood is more expensive at the moment, but they actually end up paying for themselves years down the line with the proper care and maintenance.

Or you can choose wood in the dining and great room and a tile in the kitchen.

SJ McCarthy has a good recommendation for hickory and oak. Another option is Character Maple(make sure it is hard maple). If you really want to be bold- go for Brazilian Pecan. :)

This has been helpful to read. We are building at the moment, and I am very torn with all the options out there too!

wood!