Areas Not Protected by Most Homeowner’s Policies
After taking out your homeowners’ insurance policy on your house, you may think that you have all the protection against damages. But that is not the case. Unfortunately, insurance providers do not cover certain areas. While it is important to have a homeowner's policy, it is good that one understands what is covered and what is not.
Under the homeowner’s insurance policy, the insurance provider will cover the following areas:
1. Dwelling coverage
Dwelling coverage is what covers damages to the house itself. The roofs, walls, and any other permanent structure are attached to your house. It also covers the plumbing, electrical, and heating system of your house.
2. Personal property
Personal property covers lost or damaged personal belongings inside your home such as furniture, appliances any other thing that is not part of your actual property. This part of the policy covers the replacement of items lost or damaged in the covered event such as a fire or robbery.
3. Other structure insurance
This part of the policy covers the external part of your house that is separate from the main house, for example, a detached garage and detached sheds.
4. Liability coverage.
Liability coverage protects you against claims in the event someone is injured, or their property is damaged on your property or home. This part of the policy covers medical bills, legal fees, and other associated fees in case someone sues you.
5. Loss of use coverage.
This part of the policy enables one to pay for alternative accommodation in the event your house becomes inhabitable and is being repaired.
Areas Not Covered on The Homeowners’ Insurance Policy.
A homeowner needs to be aware of the areas not covered by the homeowners’ insurance policy. They include:
1. Pests and animal infestation.
The homeowner insurance policy does not cover damages caused by pests and animals. Animals such as rodents cause wear and tear to your house and cause serious damage to your house. This is considered damaged as a result of negligence.
2. Ground movement.
Ground movement refers to any damage caused by the shifting of the earth such as earthquakes, mudslides, tremors, land shock waves, and sinkholes. Insurance providers do not cover such events.
3. Flooding.
Homeowners’ insurance does not cover any natural water damage such as floods, rain, and sewer backups. So, if you live in an area prone to flooding as a homeowner you need to know that insurance companies do not cover such events.
However, if it is damage caused by a burst water pipe the insurance company would cover the loss suffered.
4. Damage caused by mold.
Many homeowners do not think that mold damage is something to be concerned with. However, mold damage can be costly to get rid of and redeem your house. Insurance providers do not cover mold damage as they view it as a preventable problem that can be avoided before it affects your house. They consider it neglect.
5. Expensive artwork and jewelry.
Although insurance companies have personal property coverage for any belongings in your house, there are limitations. Personal property such as expensive artwork and jewelry are not covered by homeowners’ insurance. Expensive items require a separate insurance cover as insurance companies consider those items to have a high replacement cost and are prone to theft.
6. War
As a homeowner, it is important to know that insurance companies do not cover damage caused by any type of war. Be it nuclear or civil war this is excluded from any homeowner policy.
7. Nuclear hazard.
Nuclear hazard refers to any nuclear reaction such as radiation. In homeowners’ policy, this is not covered, however, fire damage caused by nuclear reaction may be covered.
8. Damage caused by a power surge or outages
Your homeowner’s policy will not cover any damage due to power outages caused by the electricity company. However, if the power failure comes from your house and causes a fire the insurance may cover the damages.
9. Dog bites.
Homeowners’ insurance policy covers medical and legal expenses caused by dog bites. However, most insurance companies will exclude dogs that have been categorized as aggressive such as Pitbull.
10. Damages caused by neglect or poor maintenance.
As a homeowner, you must ensure that your house is well maintained and repaired regularly. Insurance providers will not cover any damage caused by “wear and tear” which they consider preventable.
