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6 Items Your Home Insurance Policy Might Not Cover

By Kade Phillips

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 27Mar2010 Word count: 704 Viewed: 220 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

If a tree falls through the roof of your house, your home insurance policy will pay for repairs. If a fire burns your home to the ground, you're likely covered. So too, if your German Shepherd nips a neighbor's leg, your television is stolen, or a gusty windstorm breaks your windows, your insurer will usually pick up the tab. The problem is, most people leave these circumstances to chance. They seldom (if ever) review their policies to check for items that may not be covered.

You might be surprised to discover your home insurance policy lists several exclusions for which your insurer refuses to pay. Keep in mind every insurer treats exclusions differently. If yours refuses to cover something, it may be time to look for another provider. With that in mind, here are six common exclusions that may be listed on your policy.

#1 - Damage Due To Sewage Backflow

A backflowing (and overflowing!) toilet can be revolting. Making matters worse, the damage that results from a floor blanketed with waste may not be covered by your home insurance policy. A lot of policyholders are unaware insurance companies often reject claims for damages when the root cause is a problem with the sewage line. That said, you may be able to purchase an inexpensive rider that closes this coverage gap.

#2 - Negligence And Lack Of Maintenance

Insurance companies normally cover damages that result from unforeseen circumstances. However, if you suffer a loss due to lack of maintenance or negligence, the loss may not be covered. For example, suppose your kitchen faucet develops a leak. If you ignore the leak and it eventually floods your living room, your insurer will consider the event a result of negligence. They will argue that you should have fixed the leak before the problem worsened.

#3 - Damage Due To Mold

Several years ago, the late American celebrity Ed McMahon filed a claim with his home insurance company for damages related to mold. That claim eventually turned into a lawsuit. When the smoke had cleared, McMahon settled for more than $7 million. Today, many insurance companies either significantly raise their premiums when covering mold-related damages, or simply add mold to their exclusion lists. If you suspect mold is in your home's future, check your policy.

#4 - The Wrath Of Nature

Natural disasters can strike without warning and demolish an entire city. If you live in an area routinely buffeted by hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes, your insurer will be unenthusiastic about covering damages resulting from those events. That means you'll need to supplement your coverage with a separate policy (e.g. earthquake insurance).

It's worth highlighting this exclusion can also include fires if your home is located near a forest or similarly wooded area. If you happen to live near a fire station, your insurer will be more inclined to offer coverage.

#5 - Injury Due To Certain Dog Breeds

Each year, canines cost home insurance companies hundreds of millions of dollars. While most insurers are willing to extend coverage for dog bites, the type of dog you own may play a role in their decision. For example, standard poodles and beagles are known as relatively safe dogs. On the other hand, your insurance company may balk if you own a pit bull.

Check with your insurer. Every home insurance provider maintains their own set of exclusions. Your current provider might recoil at the thought of covering your Rottweiler while another company may be willing to do so.

#6 - Heirlooms, Collectibles, And Other Precious Items

Suppose your home catches fire and burns to the ground with your comic book collection, baseball card collection, and precious coins inside. Chances are, these items will only be covered at a fraction of their value. Consider buying a supplemental policy that offers coverage that reflects their true worth. Otherwise, you might receive pennies on the dollar - cold comfort in the wake of a major loss.

When it comes to home insurance, the most common mistake people make is to neglect checking their policies for specific exclusions. Don't assume everything under your roof is covered. Check to make sure. If your current insurer is unable to meet your needs, it's time to begin shopping for an alternative.

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