An important part of purchasing and owning property is homeowners’ insurance. When taking out a policy, most believe they’ll have coverage regardless of any unforeseen circumstance that may arise. Yet, when a disaster happens, whether it be a fire, theft or a storm, homeowners can be surprised to discover that their insurer won’t cover repairs and replacement costs or only pays a certain amount.
So, as you go about purchasing a home, what isn’t typically covered by your policy?
Natural Disasters and Extreme Accidents
You will not receive any coverage if a flood passes through the area or an earthquake shakes the ground forcefully enough to cause damage to your home. Regardless of whether your area has a greater risk, you’ll need to take out separate insurance to prepare for either of these disasters.
Along the same lines, certain freak or extreme accidents aren’t usually covered, including damage related to sinkholes, nuclear plant meltdowns, mud slides and wind storms.
Mold
Insurers nearly always consider mold damage to be preventable. However, because it can be a health risk, your policy might pay out a limited amount for mold, depending upon the situation.
Sewer Backup
Similarly to mold, insurers also consider sewer backup and related water damage to be preventable too. Many instances like these occur because your home has old or out-of-date lines and while your policy might have a higher rate initially, it’s assumed that you’ll eventually upgrade your property. Not doing so increases the risk of damage related to a sump pump overflow or drainage issues.
Damage Related to Termites and Pests
It’s no secret that termites and other pests devastate a home when you have an infestation, from damage to the foundation and floors to your electrical system. Yet, dealing with pests also falls under the broad category of preventable issues and rather than cover the damage, the insurer expects you to shoulder the expense of working with a pest control company to rid your property of the problem.
Damage Related to Neglect
Your carrier assumes you’ll take the necessary steps to keep your property in tip-top shape. So, when damage occurs because of wear and tear and poor upkeep, the insurance company ultimately believes you haven’t been taking the necessary steps to keep your property safe. What could fall under this category?
- Damage related to birds and rodents
- Standard wear and tear
- Poor construction
- Mechanical breakdowns
- Hidden defects
- Injuries related to trampolines and tree houses
As you go through the process of purchasing a home through By Carrier, make sure to factor in homeowners’ insurance. To learn more about our properties, give us a call today.