5 Common Home Insurance Exclusions – Damage Not Covered

There is an common perception that a home insurance policy will cover all types of damage. This is not true. Every policy written will have ‘exclusions’ meaning the listed peril (or loss type) is specifically excluded and will not provide coverage. Below are 5 common home insurance exclusions. You will find these exclusions on almost every home insurance policy.

Flood

The Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) defines a flood as: A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of 2 or more acres of normally dry land area or of 2 or more properties from:
Overflow of inland or tidal waters; or Unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source; or Mudslides or Collapse or subsidence of land along a body of water.

Damage to a home from the peril of Flood is always excluded on a home insurance policy. You need purchase a separate ‘flood’ policy in order to get this coverage

Earth Movement

If damage to your home or its foundation is caused by any type of movement from the earth, there is no coverage under a home policy. Excluded are losses from:

• Sinkholes
• Mudslides
• Landslides
• Earthquakes

Earthquake policies are available and will provide some coverage for earth movement, but be sure to check the policy insuring clause, definitions and exclusions as to what type of coverage is provided, or not provided.

Defective Building Material

Sometimes the homes components or building materials used to construct it will fail and in turn, can lead to home damage. Usually the ‘damage to the home’ will be covered by a standard home policy, but replacement of the defective building material will never be covered. You would need to look to the manufacturers warranty of the failed component or the installation contractor for that coverage. Roof Material that decomposes prematurely or wasn’t installed properly can cause water to enter the home. Over the past 16 years in business, we have seen many of this type of uncovered by insurance  losses.

Insect or Animal Damage

If home damage occurs from insects or animals, this is generally excluded from a home insurance policy . This damage includes rodent or termite infestation and animal waste and secretions.

Damage caused by War, Terrorist Attack or Nuclear Explosion

In the US we live relatively free from the worry of war breaking out, terrorists attacks or some kind of Nuclear incident destroying our lives. But if this did happen, most home insurance policies exclude coverage for this type of damage.

While purchasing a home insurance is a very important step in protecting one of your most valuable assets, it’s important to read the ‘exclusion’ section of the home policy. This section declares there would be no coverage for these types of losses to the home .

At Denver West Insurance Brokers, we are happy to review your home policy with you to help you understand what is covered…and not covered. We can then customize your policy to best meet insurance needs, if possible.
Give us a call today and speak with one of our licensed staff agents. We are a local insurance broker on the west side of Denver in Golden Colorado. We also serve the communities of Arvada, Wheat Ridge, Littleton, Lakewood, Morrison, Evergreen and Clear Creek and Summit County.