Home insurance companies are routinely faced with the difficulty of maintaining the balance between affordability and profitability. As many homeowners do not really pay attention to the details of their existing policies, they might incur damages that are not covered by their policy. In such cases, you will not receive any form of compensation for damages incurred.
Here is a list of things that are not covered by your homeowners’ insurance:
Pool Equipment Due to Freeze
Your standard policy won’t provide coverage to pool equipment or plumbing due to freeze. It is important to take the necessary precautions in the event of a severe freeze. Shutting off and draining the system can help protect during such an event. Some enhanced policies do provide protection but coverage can still be limited and these carriers often cost more.
Damage to Sewage Pipes Connected to the Street
It occurs commonly in older houses that still use tar-impregnated wood fiber sewer pipes instead of the modern PVC piping. These old pipes are prone to distortions and encroachment by tree roots. Eventually, these pipes degrade and then require replacement. Most carriers in Texas won’t cover these pipes, so the burden of repair will fall on the homeowner. However, within the past year some carriers have started to offer limited coverage by endorsement. Be sure to ask your agent if coverage is available with your carrier.
Burst Pipes
Unfortunately, burst pipes happen are a common occurrence in every home. Your home insurance will most likely cover repairs due to a leak that happens in your home but won’t cover a flood from an external source. Most home insurance companies regard drainage as a maintenance issue and do not cover it.
Flooding
Flood damage is typically caused by external sources, particularly natural water sources like oceans, lakes, or rivers. If you do not have a specific insurance policy and flooding damages your home due to heavy rainfall or storm from a hurricane, you won’t be protected or covered. The damage will be blamed on the floodwaters. Flood insurance is economical if your home is located outside of a flood plain; however, coverage can get quite expensive if your home is located in a severe flood plain.
Termite Damage
Damage from insects, and specifically from termites, is unlikely to be covered by your homeowners’ insurance. The best thing to do is prevent their infestation.
Electrical Surges
Most home insurance companies cover lightning strikes, but electrical surges from your power company are not covered. Some insurance companies rule out coverage for electrical parts of appliances, computers, and home entertainment units even if a lightning strike was responsible. It’s best to be up to date with your policy to be sure about what is covered or not.
There are a lot of other things not covered by homeowners insurance. The best thing to do is consult professionals if you have questions. This article will definitely enlighten you, but it is nothing compared to speaking with professionals.
If you have further questions related to home insurance, the professionals at Schwab Agency are the right experts for you. Contact us to get started today!