Home insurance is an important protection for your home, but it is not a blanket coverage that will take care of any and everything. No, there are plenty of examples that are not covered by your home insurance policy. Some may surprise you, and others may seem unlikely, but homeowners need to understand their policies to avoid misunderstandings and coverage gaps. Let’s explore some of these examples and what you can do to stay better protected.
Damage From Floods Are Not Covered by Home Insurance
The topic of flood damage and it being covered under your home policy is quite a misconception. Water damage may be covered in your home insurance policy, but flood damage is not. For example, water damage from a heavy storm that causes water to seep into your roof and causes water to get into your home would be covered by your home policy. Still, flooding waters from outside that flow into the inside of your home would require a flood insurance policy to restore the loss. As many as one-fourth of all flood claims come from homes outside flood zones, making flood insurance an important consideration for every homeowner.
Homeowners Insurance Won’t Cover General Wear and Tear
Neglected roofs? Flooring that needs replacement due to years of damage? Pipes with a slow leak? Sorry, but none of these examples are covered by your homeowners insurance. Furthermore, other instances are similar or stem from wear and tear you may be surprised to learn aren’t covered by your policy. These include:
- Water damage or mold caused by a leaky roof/pipe that wasn’t properly maintained.
- Infestations are considered the same as wear and tear. This means that termite damage, rats destroying wiring, or an infestation of bed bugs will not be covered.
- Rust damage over time is also excluded by your home insurance policy.
Homeowners have a responsibility to maintain their homes, which includes repairs, general maintenance, cleanliness, and preventative measures to mitigate damage and infestations. Because steps can be taken to prevent many of the problems listed, you’ll have to do your part in protecting your home from such perils. Your policy may help protect against mold or water damage caused by a sudden and accidental incident but wear and tear issues are not covered.
Your Insurer May Not Cover Any Damage at All
Yes, even for a peril named within your policy. How can this be? You may have withheld information from your insurance provider or didn’t realize certain information is needed to receive coverage. This is common when homeowners either lie (commit fraud) or fail to disclose things such as a pool, certain breeds of dogs, trampolines, major home renovations, etc. In addition, you could also void your policy if the property is left vacant without any monitoring for too long or if you begin a business out of your home that would require customers to frequently be in your home. Illegal activity such as selling drugs can also void your home insurance policy. Stay within the law, disclose major changes, and never lie to your insurance company.
Home Insurance Won’t Protect Against Nuclear Hazards
There are two nuclear power plants in the State of Texas. The South Texas Project (STP) is a nuclear power plant found south of Bay City, Texas, and the Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant is north of Glen Rose, Texas, according to StateImpact Texas. Your homeowners insurance won’t cover nuclear accidents, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t protection for your home. Emergency planning zones are in place surrounding 10 miles of nuclear plants in every direction, and nuclear plants carry their own liability coverage should an incident occur.
Ground Movement is Not Covered in Texas
Texas may not be known for earthquakes or landslides, but the state is one of the most prone to sinkholes. Sadly, these perils are not included in your home insurance policy. Texans can protect themselves with additional policies; however, such as earthquake insurance, sinkhole insurance, or a difference in conditions (DIC) insurance policy, you can stay protected against such perils.
Windstorm Damage May Not be Covered
If your home is located near the coast, your insurance provider may not protect against windstorm-related damages since these areas experience gusty storms often. Each insurance provider has its own methods and calculations in determining the risk involved when insuring your property. This means that if your property poses a high risk for wind and hail damage, you may be forced to seek coverage from the government or purchase a separate windstorm insurance policy to ensure you are covered..
At TGS Insurance, we believe every homeowner should be as prepared as possible. As a Texas-based insurance agency, we also understand the importance of windstorm insurance. This is why we automatically include a 2% wind/hail deductible into every policy we write.
TGS Insurance Helps Homeowners Avoid Coverage Gaps
Every home is different, which means so are the coverage needs. The protection you require will be different than that of your neighbor or a homeowner a town over. At TGS Insurance, we take the time to get to know you, your needs, and the coverages you’ll need to mitigate damage and avoid coverage gaps that could cost you thousands of dollars to recover from.
By comparison shopping your home insurance coverage among our bank of 35+ A-rated or better insurance brands and bundling multiple policies, we can deliver the right coverage for your needs without breaking the bank. We’ll even review your home insurance policy year after year to prevent you from ever overpaying again. Should you experience an increase, we’ll re-shop and provide you with the right coverage for the lowest cost on the market all over again. Learn how much you can save on your home insurance policy today!