Published: June 2025
Whenever a person buys a homeowners insurance policy, they do so with the expectation that the insurance will comprehensively cover the destruction of the housing and its properties. For the most part, this is indeed true. However, it does not imply protection for all eventualities. Actually, some of the most ordinary types of damage are not part of the standard policies.
In case you are a homeowner, learning about what is not included in homeowners’ coverage may not only help you to avoid costly surprises but also give you the opportunity to prepare for what is not covered by the policy.
🔍 Common Exclusions in Homeowners Insurance Policies
The following section will discuss what a typical homeowner’s insurance policy in the US market does not take the responsibility for:
1. Flood Damage
No general policies provide protection for water damage from floods.
✅ Solution: opt for a special kind of insurance that caters to the hazard of a flood by using the National Flood Insurance Program or other providers’ services.
2. Earthquakes and Sinkholes
Fissures, slippage of ground or earth, and other phenomena of the kind, e.g., earthquakes, movements of the earth, and avalanches also counted among the exclusions.
âś… Solution: A consumer can explore the possibility of taking out earthquake insurance in areas where these natural disasters frequently happen.
3. Maintenance Issues
Occurances which result from the fact that there has been poor maintenance, neglect, or normal wear and tear, such as r for instance, roof leaks, mould, or pipe bursts are not part of the coverage.
âś… Tip: There should be a constant series of checks and regular maintenance to forestall such problems.
4. Pest Infestations
Injury received from termite, mice, insects, or other pests are generally not listed in the insurance policy.
Home insurance writes these off as a maintenance problem, therefore, not eligible for immediate or accidental compensation.
5. Home-Based Business Losses
Home businesses are becoming a common thing now. Yet, if your equipment or even any inventory are affected by a covered peril, there are no hopes that your homeowners insurance policy will consist of such. âś… Tip: It is advised to visit business insurance or an addition for your homely enterprise coverage.
6. Sewer or Drain Backup
However, if the reason for the water in your basement is a sewer backup, you should not have hope that this kind of situation is covered under the policy.
âś… Add-On: You could still purchase sewer backup coverage as a rider option if you would like it covered.
7. Luxury or High-Value Items
Such items as jewelry, art, or collectibles will only get a certain amount of coverage (e.g., $1,500) based on the category selected as the loss limit.
âś… Fix: Include a scheduled personal property endorsement if you want to cover your valuable items.
8. Intentional Damage
Intentional acts of anyone in your family will not be indemnified by an insurance company. Insurance is designed to protect policyholders against unintended or unexpected loss, not anyone’s wrongdoing.
9. War or Nuclear Hazards
It is quite extraordinary, but yes—mostly war, terrorism, and nuclear accidents are events that are omitted from the majority of policies’ coverage.
10. Vacant Homes
Please be informed that if you leave your house without any kind of protection after 30-60 days of vacancy, any hazards of this house are your problem only, as the insurance company will share none of those risks.