What your homeowner insurance company may not cover
A natural disaster can occur without warning – that’s why it’s so important to be prepared with homeowners insurance. This is a form of property insurance that covers losses and damages to the home itself, as well as your belongings within.
Unfortunately, a standard insurance policy won’t cover everything. For example, if a natural disaster causes structural damage to your home, your insurance company may not cover all of the loss.
Here are some common exclusions from standard insurance policies:
Flood Insurance
Homeowners may be surprised to learn that their home is not covered for flood damage. Most standard policies cover water damage caused by something inside the home, such as a leaking pipe, but will exclude floods from natural causes. This means that if a flashflood, burst dam, or other flood natural disaster occurs, your insurance company will not cover the resulting damages to your home.
Earthquake Insurance
Most standard policies do not include all types of natural disasters. Similar to flooding, your insurance policy may not cover damages caused by earthquakes or other natural movements of the earth, such as landslides and sinkholes. If you live in an area with a history of earthquakes, it’s important to ensure your home is covered for earthquake damages.
Sewer Drain Coverage
Water damage caused by a sewer backup or drain malfunction is often excluded from a typical homeowner's insurance policy. Your home can be badly damaged from water or waterborne materials that back up into your home through a sewer, drain, or sump pump. Water and sewer backup coverage is often needed in addition to your standard policy.
It’s important to thoroughly review your policy to determine what is excluded. Insurance policies, especially commercial ones, can be convoluted and difficult to understand. A public adjuster understands the ins and outs of insurance policy clauses, and will work hard to get you the settlement you deserve in the event of a disaster or damage to your property.
Action Public Adjusters is on your side and will ensure nothing goes unnoticed throughout your claim. If you have suffered a major loss and are unsure what is covered by your insurance policy, contact us today.
