UPDATED: JULY 06, 2023 | 3 MIN READ
Have you ever read Tolstoy’s War and Peace? It’s a piece of cake compared to reading and fully understanding the typical homeowner insurance policy. Consumers are most interested in keeping their premiums low in the real world. They trust their agent to pick the policy that best meets their needs.
We think it’s a good idea to have a deeper understanding of a policy beyond how much it will cost each month.
For example, there are risks and property that you might reasonably expect to be covered by your policy that may not be. It’s a good idea to carefully examine the exclusion clauses to determine if any of those line items affect your home.
We have listed some of the most commonly misunderstood exclusions and coverage limitations to give you a head start on that task.
7 Common Home Insurance Exclusions
Pools
If you have a pool or are considering buying a home with a pool, it’s important to know that coverage will be limited or maybe even disqualifying.
Some companies will not insure a home with a pool, while others limit property and liability coverage. Most companies will not insure screened pool enclosures or provide liability coverage for diving boards or slides.
Dog Bites
Many companies have lists of aggressive breeds like pit bulls and will exclude them from your liability coverage. Dogs bite 4.7 million people each year. If your dog takes a chomp out of a visitor, even if it’s a Yorkie and not on the list of aggressive dogs, you can expect your premium to go up.
Some Water Damage
Generally speaking, the water damage not caused by weather-related flooding is covered if it results from a calamity or is accidental, like burst hoses on a washing machine. Insurance typically will not cover damage due to owner negligence.
If you have turned off the heat during your winter vacation and pipe bursts, that will probably not be covered. Sewer backup is not covered unless you purchase a separate policy—something to consider if you have a septic system.
Termites
Even though these little critters can do great damage, most homeowner policies don’t cover termites.
Earthquakes and Sinkholes
Most standard policies will exclude both earthquakes and sinkholes. You may think it’s no big deal because you live in an area where these events are rare. It might surprise you that there were more earthquakes in Oklahoma than in California in 2018. Some companies will write separate policies to cover these types of events.
Flood Damage
No private insurance company can offer flood insurance, although most can quote and broker a policy through the National Flood Insurance Program. The federal government is the only provider of flood insurance.
Slow Leaks
A new trend is for homeowner insurance companies to deny water damage claims resulting from slow leaks. A slow leak is not fixed or resolved after 14 days, even if there is no visible evidence of the leak. Another reason to check condensation drains and collection pans in the attic is to ensure no water overflows.
And More?
This is not an all-inclusive list, and we encourage you to review the exclusions in your policy and consult with your agent with any questions or concerns you might have.
How To Get Home Insurance Exclusions Covered
Coverage for some of these exclusions can be added to your homeowners’ policy with an upgrade or rider. Others require separate policies of their own. Always review your policy with your agent to ensure you get the vital coverage you need to protect your home.
Though it can be difficult to navigate, homeowners insurance is a crucial purchase. By understanding more about how these policies work and what consumers want, agents can better help their clients find the right coverage at the best price.
If you’re in the market for homeowner insurance, complete our form to see quotes online. You’ll be able to compare rates from several providers in minutes.
