If you have a homeowner’s insurance policy, then you probably feel a certain sense of security. But the sense of relief that you feel by obtaining one of these policies can be short-lived given that there are a lot of types of damage that won’t be covered by your protection plan. This week, let’s look at some of the common causes of damage to your home that won’t be covered by the typical homeowner’s policy:
- Flooding: A lot of people make the mistake of thinking that their homeowner’s insurance policy covers damage caused by flooding. But flood insurance is separate from homeowner’s insurance. Therefore, those who have foregone flood insurance can suddenly find themselves facing extensive losses with no financial relief. So, if you live in an area where flooding is common, you might want to revisit your policy to make sure that you’re protecting yourself as best as possible.
- Poor maintenance: Extensive damage can be caused to your home if you don’t properly maintain it. Mold and pest infestations are perfect examples. If your home ends up damaged by mold or pests, then you’ll need to be prepared for your claim to be rejected. Don’t despair if this happens, though. After all, mold and pests can both arise from issues that are covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy. Therefore, it’s best for you to keep your home clean and in good repair so that if these issues arise you can better argue that the cause of the damage was covered by your policy.
- Sewage issues: Coverage for sewage backup is usually sold separately from homeowner’s insurance, despite the fact that this issue may be more common than you think. Growing tree roots, excessive stormwater, and even outdated pipes can cause a backup that significantly damages your home.
- Movements in the earth: Most homeowner’s insurance policies don’t cover events such as earthquakes, landslides, and sinkholes. Yet, since fracking is common in Oklahoma, it’s a good idea to consider seeking out coverage for these types of events if they’re not already included in your homeowner’s insurance policy.
- Dog bites: A lot of homeowner’s insurance policies seek to avoid liability for dog bites that occur at the residence. Others restrict coverage so as to avoid protecting situations where someone is bitten by a breed that is identified as aggressive, such as a Pitbull. So, if you have a dog, you might want to take a look at your policy and consider other options if you have a gap in coverage.
- Intentional damage: This seems obvious, but your policy isn’t going to cover any damage that your insurance company deems to have been intentionally created. You’d be surprised, though, at how many accidents are considered intentional in nature. If you’re facing an issue with this type of denial, then you need to make sure that you’re armed with evidence that provides context for the loss.
Protect your interests and recover what you’re owed when you’re hit with losses
Insurance can be enormously confusing. After all, you don’t have time to read all of the small print in your policy. And insurance companies often try to use that fine print to deny claims and strongarm policyholders into settlements that aren’t favorable for homeowners. That’s why it’s important that you know what you can do to protect yourself and your property. While this certainly means securing the kind of coverage that you want and need, it also means holding insurance companies accountable when they wrongfully deny your claim.