What does homeowners insurance not cover

Homeowners insurance provides essential protection for your home and belongings, but it doesn’t cover everything. Here are some common exclusions you’ll typically find in a standard homeowners insurance policy:

1. Floods: Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. For protection against floods, homeowners need to purchase separate flood insurance, which is often available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

2. Earthquakes: Damage caused by earthquakes, sinkholes, and other earth movements are not typically covered. Like flood insurance, earthquake insurance must be purchased separately.

3. Maintenance Issues: Homeowners insurance generally does not cover issues that result from neglect or a failure to maintain the property. This includes mold, pest infestations, and general wear and tear.

4. Intentional Damage: Any damage to the home that is caused intentionally by the homeowner or other covered residents is not covered.

5. Sewer Backup: Unless specifically added to a policy, sewer backup damage is not usually covered. This can be crucial in areas where such incidents are likely.

6. High-Value Items: Standard policies have limits on coverage for high-value items such as jewelry, art, and collectibles. Additional coverage can usually be purchased.

7. Government Actions: Damage from war, government action, or nuclear hazard is typically excluded from coverage.

8. Simultaneous Events: If two events occur simultaneously and one is covered (like wind damage) but the other is not (like flooding), insurers may deny coverage depending on the specifics of the case and local laws.

9. Certain Dog Breeds or Exotic Animals: If you own a dog breed that’s considered high-risk or an exotic animal, your insurer might exclude liability coverage for incidents involving these animals.

To address these gaps in coverage, homeowners can consider purchasing additional policies or riders that specifically cover these exclusions. It’s also beneficial to review the specifics of your policy and talk to your insurance agent to fully understand what is and isn’t covered under your current policy.

What does home insurance cover

Homeowners insurance covers a variety of potential risks and damages to ensure financial protection for homeowners. Here’s an overview of what standard homeowners insurance policies typically cover:

1. Dwelling Coverage: This part of your policy covers the cost to repair or rebuild your home if it’s damaged by an insured event such as fire, hail, windstorms, or vandalism. It generally includes the structure of the house itself.

2. Other Structures: This covers structures on your property that are not attached to your house, such as fences, sheds, and detached garages, if they’re damaged by a covered peril.

3. Personal Property: Homeowners insurance covers the loss of personal belongings, such as furniture, electronics, and clothing, due to theft or damage from a covered peril. This coverage typically extends to personal property even when it’s outside of the home, like items in your car.

4. Loss of Use: If your home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered event, this coverage pays for your living expenses (like hotel bills and meals) above what you’d normally pay until your home can be repaired or you find a new place to live.

5. Liability Protection: This provides coverage if you are legally responsible for injury to others or damage to their property. It can cover medical bills, legal fees, and damages awarded in a lawsuit, protecting your assets from being seized in a judgment.

6. Medical Payments: This covers medical expenses for guests who are injured on your property, regardless of who is at fault. It’s designed to prevent small claims from turning into lawsuits.

These coverages come with limits and deductibles, and the specifics can vary widely depending on the insurer and the options you select. Additional coverages can be added for events that aren’t covered under a standard policy, like floods or earthquakes. It’s important to review your policy details and discuss your specific needs with your insurance agent to ensure that you have adequate coverage.