What’s Not Covered by my Home Insurance Policy?

One sure way of avoiding frustrations when filing claims is by understanding your insurance policy when purchasing coverage. At Runnels Insurance, it pains us to see our Brandon, FL clients having a bad experience just because they didn’t understand the nitty-gritty of their home insurance policy. For this reason, we have prepared a brief guide on home insurance exclusions to help you shop for riders or add-ons to boost your home insurance policy.

Your typical home insurance doesn’t protect you against:

Flood damage

While your home insurance covers you against water damage emanating from the inside (like broken pipes), it won’t protect you from overland flooding. For this reason, if you live in a flood-risk region, consider purchasing flood insurance from NFIP or private carriers to protect your home from water damage.

Water damage from sewer backup

Weak sewer lines, tree roots, and clogging can cause water damage that isn’t only an inconvenience but can become expensive to repair. Unfortunately, a typical home insurance policy doesn’t cover such damages. However, the good news is that you can purchase an endorsement to protect your home against such mishaps.

Neglect

You can’t neglect maintenance for your home and then run to your insurer for repairs. For instance, the damage will likely occur to your home structure if you fail to prevent mold and pest infestations. If you try to file a claim for such damage, it’s likely to be declined.

Intentional acts

This exclusion is self-explanatory. If your insurer concludes that damage to your home was intentional, you won’t be compensated. Worse yet, you could be prosecuted for insurance fraud if found culpable. 

Government actions

If your government confiscates your belongings or reclaims your land, that’s not your insurer’s headache. 

The above list is not exhaustive. It’s a guide of what your typical home insurance doesn’t cover. For better understanding, refer to your insurance policy. Better yet, you can contact Runnels Insurance in Brandon, FL, for more information on home insurance.