If you carry homeowner’s insurance, you probably feel like a responsible adult doing what is right for your household. While you are correct in feeling this way, it is important to understand that homeowner’s insurance is not a panacea for everything that could possibly go wrong on your property. There are certain issues the vast majority of policies don’t cover. By understanding what these things are, you can take proactive steps to protect yourself and your family. Below, you’ll discover five issues that are rarely covered by homeowner’s insurance.
- Flooding – If you live in an area of North Carolina or South Carolina that is prone to flooding, such as the South Carolina Lowcountry, it is imperative for you to purchase flood insurance. You are in for a rude awakening if you try to file a flood claim with your homeowner’s insurance company; there are few, if any, policies that cover this natural disaster. Fortunately, flood insurance is not expensive and is simple to obtain. Your current insurance company may even offer it as an add-on option.
- Earthquake damage – Although earthquakes are not common in the Carolinas, they can impact nearly every region in the United States. Due to this, it is a good idea to be prepared since earthquake insurance is generally very affordable, especially if you reside in a low-risk zip code. As with flood insurance, calling your insurance company to ask about adding this type of coverage to your current policy is the best course of action.
- Mold infestations – Because both North Carolina and South Carolina tend to have humid, moist climates, residential mold infestations are not uncommon. Homeowner’s insurance policies, however, rarely cover mold removal and, unlike floods and earthquakes, supplemental mold damage insurance isn’t something that can be easily purchased. To prevent mold from forming in your house, have a qualified inspector look for risk factors and have them taken care of in a timely fashion.
- Certain canine species – Most homeowner’s insurance policies include liability coverage of some kind. In particular cases, though, they won’t issue payouts if particular canine species were involved in an attack. Call your Carolina agent to discuss your policy’s wording, but these breeds typically include Dobermans, Pit Bulls, Chow Chows, and German Shepherds. If you own one of these kinds of dogs or another that isn’t covered by your policy, you can mitigate the chances of something happening by hiring a trustworthy trainer and keeping your dog leashed whenever he or she is outside.
- Termite damage – Termites are common in the American Southeast, so Carolina residents definitely need to be aware of red flags. It is also a good idea to hire a professional exterminator to treat your property for termites every year, even if you’ve never had a problem in the past. Because your homeowner’s insurance policy is unlikely to pay for termite damage, you must do everything you can to prevent them from infesting your home in the first place.
The best way to care for your family and your property is to fully understand your homeowner’s insurance policy. If you haven’t spent much time reading it to date, schedule an appointment with a local agent to go over the finer points of your coverage. Once you know what is actually covered, you will be able to take the appropriate steps to protect your household.