If a fallen tree damages your roof during a storm or someone breaks into your house while you're on vacation, you probably expect your homeowners insurance to cover it. While that's true, you may not know some of these other incidences that your insurance covers:
1. Toppled Gravestone Cemetery vandalism is much more common than most people realize. But the damage may be covered under your existing homeowner’s insurance policy. It’s important to be careful in placing blame. A lot of damage to grave markers is actually caused by heavy equipment operated by landscapers. Spray paint is one thing, but if you notice a cracked or chipped headstone, report it to the cemetery’s management. Grave markers and other funerary items are generally considered “valuables” under most homeowner’s insurance policies. Most polices will limit coverage to somewhere between $1,000 and $5,000. If you want to make sure a family crypt is covered, you’ll want to talk to your agent about purchasing expanded coverage.
2. Garden damage Those with green thumbs can rest easy knowing their precious flowers and shrubs are covered. Because of the time and expense that can go into tending a garden, it is protected under many homeowners insurance plans. So, if you step out to your garden and find it has been damaged, ring up your insurance provider, because you may be compensated.
3. Dorm theft According to the Insurance Information Institute, most personal possessions in an on-campus dorm room are covered under a parent’s homeowner’s insurance policy. Some policies limit dorm room coverage to ten percent of the policy’s total for personal property. Also, most insurance providers have an age limit, usually 25 or 26 for the student involved.Homeowner’s insurance policies doesn’t provide coverage for students in off-campus housing. Separate renters insurance needs to be purchased to cover that student’s belongings.
4. Food Spoilage
The food in your fridge may not your first concern when a big storm’s wind or lightning knocks the power out, but getting it replaced is a nice perk in many home insurance policies. According to one expert, people often don’t report food spoilage because the limits (usually $500) are lower than the deductibles. So, why pay $500 to collect $500 in damages? When the covered weather event that caused the blackout also causes damage to your home, it makes sense to include the spoiled food as part of a larger claim. So in addition to replacing windows or cleaning out a water damaged basement, you might as well replace those pizzas you had in the freezer too.
5. Defamation
Nastiness between neighbors may start as unkind words hurled over the fence, but it can easily escalate into accusations and civil suits. If you are accused of defamation or slander, some home insurance policies may cover your defense. Most policies will exclude coverage if a libel suit is related to business pursuits—that would be something covered by a business policy.
Get started on a homeowner's insurance policy quote for yourself today because you can never know what’s coming your way so you might as well be prepared for it.
AZ Insurance Team 480-535-5709 https://www.azinsuranceteam.com/contact
*All home insurance policies are a little different and this may not be applicable to your home insurance policy, talk to your agent to see what your home policy covers.