Understanding what homeowners insurance covers when it comes to common perils.
No matter where you live, you are at risk for natural disasters. Unfortunately, homeowners can only do so much to protect against the forces of nature. This is why it’s so important to have the right homeowners insurance to rely on. But what does your policy cover when it comes to common types of natural disasters? Here’s what you need to know.
- Gas Explosions
If your gas pipes explode, then this can result in a major fire in your home. Fortunately, home insurance policies always include fire as a covered peril. This means that your policy will offer coverage to repair fire damages, including damages to your personal belongings. Your home insurance will also offer loss of use coverage to help you pay for the costs of temporarily living elsewhere while your home is undergoing repairs.
- Land and Mudslides
Insurance companies categorize land and mudslides as earth movement. As earth movement damages are excluded from standard home insurance policies, you will not have coverage for these types of natural disasters. Specialty policies are available for those who live in areas prone to land or mudslides.
- Tornadoes
The damage caused by tornadoes can usually be categorized as wind or water damage, which are both covered perils on standard homeowners insurance policies. However, you can run into trouble if your insurer determines that your damages are caused by flooding. If a tornado causes a nearby dam to break, and your home is damaged as a result of this rushing water, then your home insurance will not cover these damages. In this case, you would need the coverage offered by a specialty flood policy.
This is what your homeowners insurance will and will not cover when it comes to these common types of natural disasters. Do you have additional questions regarding your home coverage? If so, then contact the experts at Steve Wilk Insurance. Check out our new office today at 310 S Main Street, Suite C, Lombard, IL 60148.