The typical policyholder might think of their homeowner’s insurance policy as a sort of catch-all. If something bad happens to the home or surrounding property, you might assume your homeowner’s insurance policy covers it. This isn’t always the case.
There are several common hazards that the standard homeowners’ insurance policy doesn’t cover. By informing homeowners of these non-covered perils, they can make arrangements to ensure they have other types of coverage. Some foreseeable hazards that your homeowners’ insurance policy likely doesn’t cover include those below. If you need help filing a claim, contact our legal team today.
Damage caused by natural disasters may or may not be covered under your homeowners’ insurance. It is important that you read the fine print when it comes to “Acts of God,” which may include
Widespread natural disasters like floods and tornadoes can have devastating financial consequences for an insurance company. For this reason, you may need to purchase flood insurance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or pay more to cover tornadoes and other natural disasters through your homeowners’ policy.
Infestations of pests and rodents can cause substantial damage to infrastructure, from electrical wiring to wooden foundations. Furthermore, having rodents or bugs in your house is simply unnerving, so most homeowners act quickly to remove unwanted visitors from the premises—no matter the cost.
Unfortunately, you shouldn’t expect your homeowners’ policy to cover the cost of an infestation or even minor nuisances. Insurance companies put the burden on the homeowner to prevent bugs or rodents from taking over the house, so they also expect the homeowner to pay for their removal.
If your homeowner’s insurance policy provides $100,000 in coverage limits, but your losses exceed this amount, you’ll have to pay out of your own pocket for the excess costs. Whether you’re cleaning up from a severe storm or you need a new roof, you must be aware of your coverage limits, project the cost of potential losses, and adjust your policy accordingly.
If an insurance company claims that you allowed certain damage to take place through negligence, it may refuse to pay a claim. From failure to have a working smoke detector to failing to maintain a roof that eventually leaks, expect an insurance company to shift financial liability to you whenever possible.
If you would like to learn more about the common hazards that leave homeowners in a financial pinch or would like an experienced lawyer to assist with a homeowner’s claim, contact Anspach Law Office today for a free consultation. We charge no upfront fees or costs, and we will fight for the money you deserve.