Insurance policies are designed to protect you from a variety of risks, but they don't cover everything. Standard insurance policies usually exclude coverage for catastrophic events, but you can often purchase additional protection through endorsements or standalone policies. Homeowner policies often exclude coverage for flood damage, but this protection is available through a separate flood policy. Exclusions can be found in the main coverage sections of your policy, as well as in the definitions, conditions and endorsements sections. Exclusions in the definitions and conditions sections help to narrow the scope of what your insurance company is trying to establish in your policy.
A very common endorsement exclusion has to do with dogs and liability, specifically the exclusion of dangerous breeds or canines with a history of bites. Damage or loss due to floods, earthquakes, and pest infestations are just a few of the 13 exclusions in the policy that does not cover homeowners insurance. In other words, if your home is damaged or destroyed by something listed in the exclusions section of your policy, your home insurance won't cover the cost of the repairs. To find out what home insurance doesn't cover, see the “exclusions” section of your home insurance policy form. While insurance exclusions are often viewed in a negative light, they actually allow insurers to offer the broadest possible coverage, protecting your home from basically everything, except for the specific causes of damage or loss listed in your policy. The following hazards are found in the exclusions section of all standard homeowners insurance policies: floods, earthquakes, pest infestations, war and nuclear risks, intentional acts, government action, power failure, wear and tear, mold and fungus growth, smog and smoke damage, and damage caused by animals.
While home insurance exclusions may seem immovable, insurance companies often offer coverage add-ons or endorsements that extend coverage to losses that aren't normally covered. Open-risk policies mean that you're covered against all causes of loss except for the specific exclusions listed in your policy. Exclusions are one of the main tools available to insurers to ensure that they use their customers' premiums responsibly. It's important to understand what is excluded from your home insurance policy so that you can make sure you have adequate coverage for any potential risks. If you're unsure about what is excluded from your policy or if you need additional coverage for certain risks, contact your insurer for more information.
