When it comes to home insurance, knowledge is power. Understanding what your policy covers and what it doesn't empowers you to make informed decisions to safeguard your home and assets. In this guide, we delve into the specifics of home insurance so you'll know where you stand in case of unexpected events.
Home insurance is to protect your lifestyle. It is meant to protect you from a financial disaster. It is not designed as a warranty and takes care of every little damage.
Tree damage
Covered: If a tree falls and hits your house, fence, or any structure, your homeowner's insurance will pay for the structural damage. Insurance companies also usually pay. What is ordinary and customary to remove the tree from the house, fence or other structure and $500 to $1000 for debris cleanup to help you remove the tree
from your yard.
Not covered: If a tree falls without damaging anything, cleanup costs are on you.
Water damage
Covered: Insurance companies will shoulder repair costs caused by a broken water pipe, sink overflow, washing machine mishap, open window, or wind-blown rain. Most policies also cover roof damage if it occurred simultaneously with the water leak and is not due to wear and tear.
Not covered: Water running into your basement due to surface water is not covered, hydraulic pressure, which is water which seeps into your basement through the walls or floors.
Liability or accidental injury
Covered: Insurance handles legal fees and lawsuit judgements in case of accidental injuries to a non-household member on and off your property. Say someone slips on your driveway and is injured, or you are having a dinner party, and a friend gets food poisoning, or a child riding a bicycle unintentionally bumps into someone, or you are playing golf, and the ball hits another person, your insurance will pay for your attorneys and judgment amounts.
Not covered: Sorry, but injuries to household members and intentional acts of hurting someone are not protected by insurance.
Water backup
Optional Coverage: If water comes back through the sewer or if your sump pump fails and you have purchased optional coverage, your insurance company will pay a limited amount to clean up the damage and repair affected items. Usually between $5000 and $50,000.
Not covered: To repair the damaged pipe that caused the backup unless it broke due to freezing.
Service line
Optional Coverage: Damage to water, sewer, or utility lines from the street to your house is covered if you purchased optional coverage. The insurance company will pay for repairs, as well as the cost of excavating lines if needed.
Standard Insurance: Without additional coverage, service line damages are not included in most policies.
Appliance damage
Homeowners' insurance policies may cover repairs/replacement. If your appliances are damaged due to fire, water, lightning strikes, stolen.
Not covered: Appliance breakdowns due to old age or rust are on you. Unless you have optional coverage. May be covered: If your appliances break down due to sudden incidents such as a bearing seizing
If you need more info or a low-price quote on home insurance, or if you find your existing one lacking, our agents are available to explain your options and help you shop for the right policy.
Give us a call today.