When it comes to natural disasters, here’s what your homeowners insurance will cover.
As a homeowner, you like to think your home insurance has you covered no matter what comes your way. Unfortunately, every insurance policy has its limits, and your homeowners insurance is no different. However, this does not mean your policy will leave you to handle the damage caused by a natural disaster all on your own. Here’s what your home insurance will and will not cover when it comes to natural disasters and major damage events.
Will Cover
Different types of homeowners insurance policies will offer varying amounts of coverage when it comes to natural disasters. For instance, if you have the broad policy or HO-2 form of insurance, your policy will offer coverage for the following sixteen perils:
- Lightning or Fire
- Hail or Windstorm
- Explosions
- Damage caused by an aircraft
- Theft
- Riots or civil disturbances
- Smoke damage
- Damage caused by vehicles
- Vandalism
- Falling objects
- Volcanic eruption
- Pipe freezing
- Damage from the weight of snow and ice
- Water damage from plumbing, heating, or air conditioning
- Water heater cracking, tearing, and burning
- Damage from electrical currents
If you have the more common special policy or HO-3 form of home insurance, your policy offers you even more coverage against damage events. While HO-2 policies specifically name the perils you are covered against, HO-3 policies take the opposite approach. These policies will offer you coverage for all perils unless they are specifically named and excluded in your policy.
Will Not Cover
As previously mentioned, all insurance policies have limitations. When it comes to homeowners insurance, there are certain disasters that are almost universally excluded from coverage. For instance, your home insurance will not offer coverage for the damages caused by floods or earthquakes. If you want to secure coverage against these damage events, you will have to invest in a specialty flood or earthquake insurance policy.
This is what your home insurance will and will not cover when it comes to natural disasters and other damage events. Do you have additional questions regarding your home coverage? If so, contact the experts at Weaver & Associates in Arcadia, California to get started today.
