5 Surprising Things Your Home Insurance Might Not Cover

You’re a homeowner and you have home insurance. It’s an investment that’s supposed to have you covered against any unforeseen circumstances, so you’re basically good to go! Right…? Unfortunately, the answer to this question is not the simple “yes” that most people assume it is.

While homeowners insurance does cover a variety of important potential damages, there are certain things that most policies exclude. It is imperative to be aware of these exceptions, rather than assuming any homeowners policy has you 100% covered. That way, you can evaluate whether or not your current policy suits you. Remember, the agents at Charles D. Talley Jr. Insurance are always more than happy to answer any questions you have or provide their expert opinion on your specific situation!

Some of the most common things left uncovered by home insurance are as follows:

1) Pets

Little dog in front of a Florida homeDogs might be a man’s best friend, but as any dog owner knows, they are not exactly predictable pals. Unfortunately, dog bites accounted for over one third of homeowners insurance liability claims in 2013, amounting to $483 million in payouts. While most injuries caused by pets are covered by home insurance, some policies name specific breeds or sizes of animal that are excluded from coverage. Of course, an animal that was originally covered by your insurance will likely lose this coverage, should they bite or injure someone.

(Feeling underinsured? We can get you a personalized home insurance quote today!)

2) Mold

While this may seem like a commonplace issue that a little bit of mold spray should knock out, try not to underestimate this insidious destructor. Mold can sometimes grow for years within walls or ceilings without being discovered, causing significant damage to your home. It is best to choose an insurance policy that includes protection against mold, and that it isn’t limited to a $10,000 payout (as many policies are.) It may seem like a lot of money at first glance, but fixing mold damage often costs far more.

3) Earthquakes

Though many natural disasters are covered in a standard homeowners insurance policy, earthquakes are not one of them. You must purchase a separate earthquake insurance policy in order to be protected from an event that could be, quite literally, earth shattering. The good news is that most major insurers offer earthquake insurance, and our experienced agents can help you choose the best one.

4) Floods

Like earthquakes, floods are a topic that many homeowners may assume is covered in their main insurance policy, but actually are not. If you live in Florida, this is one insurance topic you really want to get right! Please be aware that there is typically a 30-day waiting period on new flood insurance; you won’t want to wait until a flood warning to seek protection.

5) Trampoline Injuries

Child jumping on trampoline in FloridaThese springy playthings are actually far more dangerous than most people realize. In 2012, a whopping 94,900 people were treated in emergency rooms for trampoline-sustained injuries. If your child or your child’s friends (or even you and your friends) get injured while on a trampoline on your property, you are responsible. In fact, some insurance companies will not even insure a residence that has a trampoline on the premises.

(We recommend parents check out this page before they purchase a trampoline for their family.)

As with many topics, knowledge is power when it comes to insurance. Life is far from predictable, and proper coverage helps keep your protected in even the worst potential circumstances. Knowing exactly what your insurance policy covers—and what it doesn’t—places you in the best possible position as a homeowner.

After examining your current insurance policy, we’ll help you get additional coverage if you need it. Or maybe you’ll even be lucky enough to realize that you already have all the protection you need. Either way, our helpful and knowledgeable team will help you through the entire process!