What Isn’t Covered by My Homeowner’s Insurance Policy?

Maintaining a homeowner’s insurance policy is a vital step for anyone looking to purchase a home. Shopping out different policy options, along with reading the fine print, is a necessary part of the process. This ensures that you, the homeowner, understand the ins and outs of what incidents your policy will cover, and instances that will not be covered by insurance.

Types of Damages Not Typically Covered

While every homeowner’s policy is unique, there are certain key issues that most policies will not cover. Understanding these instances before purchasing your home will benefit you, so that you are prepared if disaster strikes.

The following are different types of damages that will not be covered by basic insurance policies.

Issues Caused by Lack of Maintenance

Taking care of your home through necessary maintenance is a vital part of being a homeowner. Failing to properly maintain your home can cause serious damages to the dwelling, which are not covered by your homeowner’s policy. The insurer will cite any issue caused by neglect, or failure to maintain routine maintenance procedures, as something within the homeowner’s control.

In these cases, the insurer will most likely not cover the resulting damages. These damages often include leaky pipes that were possibly neglected that have caused rotting wood and underlying water damage to the structure. Typical wear and tear of appliances, or neglect of furniture are also excluded.

If the insurer determines that these damages could be prevented by proper homeowner maintenance and care, they will most likely not cover the cost to repair the damages.

Floods and Earthquakes

The majority of homeowner’s insurance policies cover common natural disasters such as wind, hail, lightning, and wildfires. However, most policies do not cover damages caused by flooding or earthquakes.

Flood and earthquake coverage is typically found in a separate policy entirely, and homeowners living in regions prone to these disasters should seek out this coverage if necessary.

Basic homeowner’s insurance policies, however, do not offer coverage for these events since most homes are not prone to these types of disasters. If you feel that your home is at risk of being damaged by a flood or earthquake, contact your insurer regarding separate policies for these more extraordinary events.

Mold

In most cases, mold damage is caused by a long-term leak, or failure to properly maintain the home. If your insurance company determines that the mold damage occurred due to neglect, a leak that was not repaired, or a naturally occurring flood, they will not cover the cost of repairs.

However, if the investigation determines that the mold was caused by a leak that quickly built up or was deep in the walls and unable to be noticed, they may cover the cost of damages. In any situation, it is best to notify your insurance company immediately so they can begin an investigation as soon as possible.

Intentional Damage

Your homeowner’s insurance policy will not cover any damages caused by yourself or a family member. This includes a wide range of issues, such as structural damages, damages to appliances or other belongings, theft, or graffiti.

Your insurer will cover accidental damages or injuries, as laid out in the personal liability section of your policy. However, if any damage was intended, pre-determined, or used to cause harm, the insurer will not cover the cost of repairs.

Questions About Your Policy?

Are you a first-time homeowner or in need of a new homeowner’s insurance policy? We are here to help! At GWK Insurance, our team of experienced agents is prepared to guide you through the insurance selection process.

We understand the ins and outs of a policy can be daunting, especially for a new homeowner, and we are ready to assist you. Contact us today so that we can answer any questions you may have regarding your homeowner’s policy.