Generally, homeowners insurance protects your belongings from events that are out of your control, but it doesn’t cover everything. The following are found under the exclusions part of the homeowner’s insurance policy.
Ground movement
Ground movement refers to damage caused by land shock waves, earthquakes, or tremors before and after volcanic eruptions, mudslides, landslides, mudflow, sinkholes, subsidence, and any other shifting of the earth. Try including earthquake insurance to your existing policy as an endorsement or purchase as a separate policy.
Flooding
Homeowner’s insurance does not protect against water damage caused by natural flooding, drain, sump pump backups, sewer line, or water seeping up from the ground. Homes in high-risk flood areas are required to buy flood insurance.
Mold
Whether your policy covers mold damage can be misleading since it all depends on the root cause of the problem. However, most insurance policies won’t cover mold caused by long-term leaking, naturally occurring flooding, or poor home maintenance.
Dangerous dogs
While insurance covers legal and medical cost from dog bites, certain dog breeds and dogs with a record of biting may be excluded. However, several insurance companies will gladly insure your dog.
Nuclear hazards
This exclusion includes nuclear reaction, radioactive, or radiation contamination. However, fire damage due to nuclear hazards might be covered.
War
Damage caused by war, including civil war, declared and undeclared war, or nuclear war, is not covered by your home insurance policy.
Government action
If a governmental or public authority destroys or damages your belongings or your house, homeowners insurance will not pay to replace it.
A homeowner’s insurance policy does not cover everything. So before getting home insurance, examine your policy and get the right coverage for your need.
