It’s true that homeowners insurance policies vary depending on what company you choose and what state you’re in.
While most policies cover damages for the basics like fire, hail, vandalism, theft, and falling objects, it’s crucial to know that there are a handful of situations that aren’t typically included in standard policies.
Remember to read through yours to understand exactly what you’re covered for before you weigh the pros and cons of any extras you may need.
1. Flood & Water Damage
While most standard insurance policies cover damage from burst pipes or leaky faucets, they typically don’t cover damage if water flows into the house due to flooding from a storm or excessive rains.
If you live in a high-risk flood area, you should consider purchasing a separate policy for flood insurance. Many policies don’t include coverage for sewer backups, either.
2. Windstorms
Coverage for windstorms may also not be standard policy. In certain areas of the country, like the Northeastern states and Gulf Coast states, windstorms are common and can cause massive amounts of damage to your home.
3. Earthquakes & Sinkholes
While the exception of the state of California, damages from earthquakes can be provided as a separate addendum to your standard insurance policy. Since earthquakes are more common in California, the state requires insurers to offer a separate policy every other year.
Even if you’re in a lower-risk area for earthquakes, you might still consider purchasing coverage (since these policies also cover sinkholes and other movements of the earth).
4. Damage Caused By War Or Terrorism
This might not be something you think about every day, but if any kind of war (whether it be nuclear or conventional) causes damage to your home, you probably aren’t covered. Luckily, most standard insurance policies cover damage from vandalism or riots.
5. Aggressive Dog Attacks
Unfortunately, some breeds of dog come with a worse reputation than others. While we’d never expect our furry friends to cause any trouble, we can’t always control animals while they’re on our properties.
Many companies stray away from covering breeds such as pit bulls, while others will still charge a higher premium if your non-restricted breed dog bites someone. This one varies greatly on the company, so you should find out first exactly what your pup’s covered for.
6. Trampoline Injuries
While known to induce uncontrollable laughter, trampolines can also bounce people right into some serious injuries. Most insurance companies deem trampolines too high-risk, so you’ll have to purchase separate coverage if you want one in your yard. You’ll also have to enforce safety measures to uphold the coverage. Many companies have these same rules for treehouses, too.
7. Death or Injuries from Pools
Most policies will cover your pool, but usually at an added cost and only if you follow specific safety measures (like a fence around the pool). If you have a diving board or a slide for your pool, your insurance policy might refuse to cover you altogether. It’s like they’re trying to take away your fun or something…
8. Belongings or Structures on Your Property Used for Business
The main reason why many people forgo business insurance is due to mere confusion of what may already be covered in their home insurance policy. If you’re doing business at home, you should look into this added coverage to protect things like any expensive equipment or important records you may have relating to your home business.
9. Landscaping, If Damaged by Wind or Disease
If any of your trees, shrubs, or plants are damaged or destroyed by heavy winds or disease, you’re probably out of luck if you only have a standard policy. Standard homeowners insurance, however, usually covers landscaping worth 5 percent of your policy value—so if you only have a small patch of flowers, you’re probably in the clear. On the other hand, if you’re the next master gardener, you might need a little more than just your green thumb to help your plants.
10. Mold
When it comes to mold, it often comes down to the specific wording on a standard policy, the extent of the mold damage, and the source of the moisture to see if you’re covered. In most cases, if mold is the result of a sudden covered accident (like a pipe bursting), you should be fine. It’s when neglected home maintenance (like exposure to humidity) is revealed to be the source of the issue that most insurance companies back away.
11. Stolen or Destroyed Cash
Sure, stuffing extra cash in a jar or an envelope under your mattress is a novel way to save for a rainy day, but given most standard homeowners policies for stolen cash, you might want to reconsider. If someone breaks into your home and steals a your stash, only $1,000 is covered.
12. Jewelry
Standard coverages for jewelry, including wedding rings, are typically up to $1,000. But if you’ve got a handful of precious stones and irreplaceables lying around, you might want to consider luxury home insurance. Many people also consider hiding valuable jewelry in a safe if they’re not willing to opt for the extra insurance cost.
13. Furs
Unless there is a specific rider added to a basic policy, most homeowners insurance won’t cover the theft or damage of fur garments. You should have up-to-date appraisals on each garment before choosing a special insurance policy for them.
14. Fine Art
Purchasing valuable items coverage is probably a good idea if you hang some expensive artwork in your home. Since most standard policies have limits on the dollar amount that can be recovered, it’s important to note that you’ll need added coverage for your art, any antiques, and other rare collections in general.
15. Damage or Injury Due to Construction Work
After moving into your new home, there’s probably going to be a handful of remodeling jobs you want to take on. When you bring in a slew of contractors to do the work, they should already be licensed for any liability they may cause (make sure you check). But if you’re up for some DIY work, you might want to look into what’s called a “builder’s risk policy” in case there’s damage to your home while doing construction.
16. Termite Infestation
Having a licensed pest control company take a look at your home is one of the first things you should do upon moving to ensure it’s termite-free. These little guys love nothing more than gnawing on support beams and other wood features in your home—and standard insurance policies won’t cover the devastation they could cause.
