Your homeowners or renters policy provides a variety of coverage for various perils—damage to the structure or your property or for liability. However, for other occurrences your homeowners policy has its limits. There are some disasters that you need separate coverage for, such as floods or earthquakes.
Common disasters that require separate coverage
While some homeowners policies have protections from discharges or overflows of water from plumbing or other appliances, coverage for damages from a flood is a different matter. Typically, a separate flood insurance is sold by the Federal Emergency Management Agency through the National Flood Insurance Program, or through a contracted agent. A standard homeowners policy does not cover damages caused by floods.
You also will need separate coverage for damages from earthquakes. They can impact structures far beyond fault lines: just a few years ago in the Northeast, a 4.8 magnitude earthquake shook the region, causing damages to some buildings and utilities. Even relatively minor earthquakes can pose a threat to your home.
It may be difficult to find insurance policies that provide protection from mold, infestation and damage caused by negligence. Generally, a homeowners insurance policy doesn’t cover damage from lack of maintenance. As a homeowner or renter, you assume a level of responsibility when you purchase a dwelling, and you are expected to upkeep it.
If your pipes are clogged or damaged, if your water main is busted or if you own a sump pump and it suffers a failure, you could anticipate a sewer backup—and you will need a separate policy for the damages.
Where your independent insurance agent comes
While your standard homeowners policy provides extensive coverage for common threats to your home, there are a few significant gaps. That’s why it’s important to consult with your independent insurance agent who can help you find the coverage that suits your needs. The last thing you need is feeling like you’re secure with your homeowners insurance, only to be caught off guard by a peril for which you don’t have coverage.
Matt McDonough is PIA Northeast's writer, editor and content curator. Matt joined PIA Northeast in September 2023. Before that, he had been an editor for the online entertainment magazine Collider from 2021-23 as a copy editor for its lists section. Matt entered the world of journalism at his alma mater, SUNY New Paltz, writing and reporting for the college's student run newspaper, The New Paltz Oracle. He graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in Creative Writing in 2020.
