Little Known Risks That Your Standard Homeowners Insurance Policy May Not Cover

Insurance Blog

When people discuss risks that standard homeowners' insurance policies may not cover, they mostly dwell on natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes. However, you aren't safe yet if you have bought additional coverage for these issues because there are other little-known risks that tend not to be covered too. Examples include:

Pests

According to bankrate.com, insurance companies consider pest infestation as a maintenance issue, which are not usually covered. Therefore, if rodents infest your house, chew on your electrical wires and damage your electronics, you shouldn't expect compensation from your carrier. The insurance company's reasoning is that you could have prevented or dealt with the rodents before they destroyed your property.

Mold

A mold problem may or may not be covered depending on what is causing it. This is because many mold problems are caused by non-covered water perils such as flooding, continuous water leaks, and high humidity resulting from inadequate maintenance. You should only have some hope for compensation if the mold is caused by a covered peril, such as an accidental fire that damages your water pipes and causes them to leak.

Sewer Backup

The decision not to cover sewer backup has to do with the normal causes of these damages. A backup may be occasioned by a:

  • Flood – this happens when too much stormwater gets into the pipes that also handle raw sewage. If the pipes cannot handle that volume of fluids, then it may back up into your house through the drain pipe.
  • Poor sewer maintenance – this may happen if the lack of maintenance leads to damage or blockage of the pipes. A good example is if you let tree roots damage your sewer pipe. This blocks it and forces the effluent back into the house.

Both of these are things that aren't covered by a standard homeowners' insurance policy, so the resulting backup will not be covered either.

These three cases underscore the need for proper maintenance of properties. For example, you need to put pest control measures in place and call an exterminator as soon as you suspect a pest infestation. You also need to maintain your sewer so that it doesn't back up and damage your floors and walls.

However, despite your best preventive measures, there are still things that can cause any of these risks. For example, a natural flood can lead to mold growth or cause sewer backup. Thus, you may need to purchase optional/additional coverage for maximum protection. To find out more, speak with someone from a company like Arkansas First Choice Insurance.

Share

14 April 2015

Auto Insurance:  Even High Risk Drivers Need It

About ten years ago, my auto insurance was cancelled. This took place after one too many accidents. I was now a high risk, and my provider was not willing to keep me on any longer. Since there was no way that I was going to get behind the wheel without coverage, I started checking out plans with high-risk insurers. Some were not all that great, but others offered benefits that were very close to my old plan. I soon found a provider who would accept my application, and I began to be a little more careful with my driving. If you are having trouble buying auto insurance, let me help. I'll tell you what to look for in a high-risk provider, and how to find the best one in your area. In no time at all, you'll be covered and ready to get back on the road again.