What Doesn't My Homeowners Insurance Cover?

Purchasing your first home means you will also need homeowners insurance. This type of coverage will vary depending on numerous factors such as size, location, occupants, and structure, among others. When you are in the market for homeowners insurance, you will need to realize that not everything will be covered. In fact, there are a lot of things that are not insured under a basic home insurance plan.

This is generally not understood by home buyers until it is too late. Once a certain event occurs that requires a large amount of repairs or money, your insurance company is not obligated to finance it unless it is specifically outlined in your homeowners agreement.

Being aware of the scope of your insurance is the first step to saving yourself the nightmare of fixing your home on your own. Here are a few things to that your policy might not cover:

Natural disasters

Earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes and the like are not typically covered in all areas. In some states that are located in highly susceptible disaster regions, insurance companies will offer extended coverage in the case of floods or other events. Coastal states like Louisiana, California and Florida are at an even greater risk of these disasters. Even if you are not in a high-risk area, you should be aware that any damage that occurs from things as simple as wind, hail or rain might not covered.

Termites

While it might seem logical that infestations that can greatly harm your home should be covered, this is not the case. Insurance companies consider termite infestations preventable. In this instance, homeowners insurance would not cover the demolition and destruction of your home by termites because it is considered upkeep and maintenance-related, not structure-related.

Burst pipes

Though your home may flood and ruin all of your belongings, burst pipes are not always covered. If your piping is not properly maintained, then insurance companies can write it off as personal negligence. If you forget to turn off the heat when you go on vacation or if your pipes aren't properly cleaned and drained, then you may have to pay out of pocket to fix the problem.

Upgrades by law

Sometimes new laws will be enacted that require homeowners to upgrade specific aspects of their home. This can include heating and water upgrades concerning public safety, local ordinances and construction issues. Additional insurance may be needed to cover the necessary renovations, though sometimes tax credits are available.

Concurring events
If major damage to your home occurs simultaneously with another, then your insurance might not cover either. If you are covered with flood insurance, but your home is also damaged by heavy winds, they could be canceled out. Insurance companies can shift the blame to the concurring event and your insurance will no longer be applicable.

While the above instances do not represent every scenario possible, they are a good starting point to have in mind when purchasing homeowners insurance. Visit CoverHound today, and find the right homeowners insurance policy to meet your needs.