If you are looking into getting a homeowner's insurance policy, you shouldn't only know what it covers, but also what it doesn't. There are some exclusions that are common among many different policies, though you should find out exactly what your individual policy does not cover.

Flood Damage

Standard homeowner's insurance policies don't typically include flood damage coverage automatically. You will most likely need to purchase a separate flood insurance policy. However, it is a good idea to contact your insurance policy and find out exactly what type of water damage is excluded and what might be covered. It is possible that certain types of water damage are included in your policy, such as water damage from broken pipes in your home. However, it might then exclude water damage from storms causing a flood, sump pump issues, or mudflow.

Power Outage Damage

Another exclusion you might find in your homeowner's insurance policy is damage from a power outage. This also varies based on the type of damage and the policy you have. For example, some policies might cover loss of the food that was in your refrigerator as a result of the power outage, though they might not cover damage to electronics in your home that were damaged from the power outage. On the other hand, if the power outage is associated with lightning, damages from the lightning surge are probably covered.

Earth-Movement Natural Disasters

Perils and natural disasters that cause the Earth to move, which then cause damage to your home, are probably not covered in your regular homeowner's insurance policy. This includes damage from any size earthquakes and sinkholes. If you live somewhere that has earthquakes often, such as California, you might want to purchase a stand-alone earthquake insurance policy. This helps to cover your home and certain types of damage due to the event. Depending on your policy, you might be able to add earthquake coverage as an add-on to your existing homeowner's insurance policy.

Wind Damage

Some forms of wind damage to your home may also be considered an exclusion. For example, if you get a lot of windstorms, the damage it does to your roofing, windows, or other exterior parts of your home may not be included in your homeowner's insurance policy. However, some policies will cover extreme wind damage from certain perils, like hurricanes or tornadoes. This is why it is important to look into your policy and ask specifics about what is or is not covered.

Reach out to a business like Reinhardt's Insurance Agency for more information.