What does my home insurance policy cover and when would I want to file a claim?

Here at the Weiser Agency, our goal is to ensure your lifestyle is protected both now and in the future.

In our last blog post, we defined many of the terms of a home insurance policy.  If you missed it, here’s an overview of the components of a standard home insurance policy: Anatomy of a Home Insurance Policy.

Now that we know what home insurance covers, when might you actually use it? 

Yes – Sudden & Accidental Losses:

Whether it’s a kitchen fire or a wildfire, fire is one of many covered peril in a standard home insurance policy, which is why a home insurance policy is also commonly called a “fire policy.”

Other sudden and accidental losses such as a pipe bursting, a tree falling on a house, lightning, wind, vandalism and theft are also often covered perils of a standard home insurance policy and could lead you to file a claim. 

Surprising Fact – While wildfires are often the biggest concern for most clients, especially here in Santa Barbara, the most common claim in California is actually related to water damage like a pipe bursting or a dishwasher draining into open areas.

No – Deferred Home Maintenance:

You wouldn’t want to file a home insurance claim if your oven stops working or your dishwasher malfunctions.  These items can be defined as “deferred home maintenance” and are not covered in a home insurance policy. A home warranty is usually a better solution for something along these lines. 

If your oven malfunctions and causes a fire, however, this would likely fall into the category of ‘sudden and accidental’ and could warrant filing a claim.

Maybe – Flood & Earthquake 

Two events that aren’t covered in a traditional home insurance policy include Flood & Earthquake.

• Flood is usually defined as water coming from the outside into the home due to an event like a heavy rain

• Earthquake is usually defined as ground movement that is a registered earthquake with the USGS

Our local team can help secure these policies for any home. We often present multiple options for these coverages both when we first start a home insurance policy and during an annual review so our clients are well aware of all options and potential risks.  

We know from experience that claims both large and small can have an impact on a client’s future insurance options and premium. If you have any questions on what your current policy covers or how a claim may impact you, we invite you to call our local team at 805-984-3777 so we can serve as your trusted thought partner on all things insurance.