What does homeowners insurance cover and not cover?

Asked by: Santos Torphy  |  Last update: January 22, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (7 votes)

Damage or destruction due to vandalism, fire, and certain natural disasters are all usually covered. So is your liability if someone is injured on your property. Certain catastrophes, like flooding or earthquakes, are generally not covered by basic homeowners policies and require specialized insurance.

What is not covered by homeowners insurance?

Important: Read exclusions in your insurance contract. Earthquake, flood, mold, earth movement, and “wear and tear” are some of the perils that are usually excluded.

What is excluded from coverage in a homeowners policy?

Homeowners policies may have exclusions or limitations for damages due to certain weather conditions like wind or hail. Flooding is also typically excluded, which can limit coverage for damage from heavy rains and storm surge.

What exactly does home insurance cover?

Homeowners insurance covers damage to your home, property, personal belongings, and other assets in your home.

What to avoid with homeowners insurance?

Homeowner insurance typically does not cover: Flooding (requires separate flood insurance) Earthquakes (requires separate coverage) Maintenance issues (eg, wear and tear, mold, rust) Pest infestations (eg, termites, rodents) Sewer or drain backups (unless added as a rider) War, terrorism, or nuclear accidents.

What is Not Covered By Homeowners Insurance?

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What not to say to home insurance?

Avoid Misleading Phrases: Be cautious with your words. Phrases like “I think” or “It might have been” can introduce doubt and ambiguity into your claim. Instead, stick to clear, confident statements that are supported by your evidence and records.

What is the 80% rule in homeowners insurance?

The 80% rule means that an insurance company will pay the replacement cost of damage to a home as long as the owner has purchased coverage equal to at least 80% of the home's total replacement value.

Which of these are not usually covered by homeowners insurance?

Luckily, most natural disasters are covered under home insurance. Your policy probably covers wind storms, hail, lightning and wildfires. There are a few things that your policy may be missing, though. More than likely, your policy doesn't cover flooding or earthquakes.

What is the most basic homeowners insurance policy?

HO-1 (basic form)

HO-1 polices are the most basic type of home insurance, offering limited coverage, and not available in most states. Your home's structure will be protected against eleven specified perils, such as fire, lightning, windstorms and hail, but you won't have liability or personal property coverage.

Does homeowners insurance cover roof leaks?

A standard homeowners insurance policy will typically cover a roof leak if the leak occurs suddenly and accidentally, as opposed to gradually. The leak must be also be caused by a covered peril—in other words, a peril that is listed on your policy. Examples of covered perils include stormy weather, fires and accidents.

What voids homeowners insurance?

Common exclusions in even the most comprehensive homeowners policies include: earth movement, such as earthquakes; sinkholes or landslides that damage your home; water damage, such as floods or sewer back-ups that leak through a pipe or seep through the foundation causing damage to your home; damage resulting from ...

What are 5 common mistakes people make when purchasing insurance?

Avoid these big mistakes to save money and get the coverage you need.
  • Setting your deductible too high or too low. ...
  • Not having enough home or auto insurance. ...
  • Knowing when to drop your car's comprehensive or gap coverage. ...
  • Not knowing about health care networks and referrals. ...
  • Not telling your family about your life insurance.

Does homeowners insurance cover plumbing?

Homeowners insurance typically covers losses resulting from a sudden malfunction, such as a pipe bursting unexpectedly. However, a homeowners policy won't cover slow, constant leaks or other plumbing problems resulting from neglect or improper maintenance.

Which area is not covered by most homeowners insurance?

Areas Not Covered on The Homeowners' Insurance Policy.
  1. Pests and animal infestation. The homeowner insurance policy does not cover damages caused by pests and animals. ...
  2. Ground movement. ...
  3. Flooding. ...
  4. Damage caused by mold. ...
  5. Expensive artwork and jewelry. ...
  6. War. ...
  7. Nuclear hazard. ...
  8. Damage caused by a power surge or outages.

Does home insurance cover mold?

Homeowners insurance doesn't usually cover mold damage or removal unless it's the result of a covered peril. If the mold in your residence was caused by something sudden or accidental, such as a bursting pipe or some other covered incident on your policy, you may be protected.

Does homeowners insurance cover tree removal?

Will homeowners insurance cover tree removal? According to The Insurance Information Institute, "a homeowners policy covers the cost of removing the tree, generally up to about $500 to $1,000, depending on the insurer and the type of policy purchased." This may vary based on the terms and conditions of your policy.

Which of the following losses would not be covered by a homeowners policy?

Homeowners insurance also protects you against liability for accidents that injure other people or damage their property. The policy covers medical expenses for persons accidentally injured on your property. Most policies do not protect you against losses from floods, earthquakes, mudslides, mudflows or landslides.

What is the most important thing in homeowners insurance?

Make sure you're covered for the right amount – your home insurance policy should cover the full value of your home in case of damage or destruction.

What things does homeowners insurance not cover?

  • Ground movement. Earthquakes, landslides and sinkholes generally aren't covered under home insurance. ...
  • Floods. Floods — like those from overflowing rivers or torrential rain — are not covered by most home insurance. ...
  • Mold. ...
  • Wear and tear. ...
  • Infestations. ...
  • Nuclear hazards. ...
  • Government action. ...
  • Dangerous or aggressive dogs.

Does homeowners insurance cover theft if the door is unlocked?

When you're adequately insured, your policy should cover most theft incidences. However, an insurer may deny coverage or a claim in property theft scenarios such as: Your negligence contributed to preventable theft, such as if you left doors unlocked or expensive items exposed outside your house.

How much cash is covered by homeowners insurance?

In the event of cash, the sub-limit may be a certain percentage of the cash up to X amount, and that mysterious amount may not be more than $200. For something like jewelry, your homeowners insurance may only cover a couple of thousand dollars.

What is the 50% rule in insurance?

In California's personal injury cases, the concept of 50/50 liability applies when both parties are equally responsible for an accident or incident. This shared responsibility is also referred to as equal fault or shared fault, and it falls under the broader category of comparative fault.

What is the rule of thumb for home insurance?

Recommended Coverage: Equal to Your Home's Replacement Cost

The dwelling coverage part of your homeowners insurance policy helps pay to rebuild or repair your home and any attached structures—such as a garage, deck, or front porch—if damaged by a covered peril.

Who should you call first when needing to file an insurance claim?

Notify your agent and/or your insurance company immediately. If anyone is injured or the vehicle damage exceeds $750.00, you must report the accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days.