Homeowners insurance covers a lot — but the exclusions are where claims get denied. Most people learn what is not covered only when they file a claim, and by then it is too late. The four big exclusions are floods, earthquakes, wear and tear, and neglect. Everything else on the list is a rider away — if you added it before the damage happened.
Flood: water from outside — rain, rivers, storm surge — is never covered by a standard policy. It needs separate flood insurance. Earthquake: earth movement is never covered by a standard policy. It needs a separate earthquake policy. Wear and tear: a roof that leaks because it is old, a pipe that fails because it is corroded — maintenance, not insurance. Neglect: damage you saw and ignored for months — the insurer calls it neglect, and neglect is never covered. A roof leak has its own rules — the roof leak coverage guide covers when it depends on the cause.
| Exclusion | Covered by standard policy? | What covers it instead |
|---|---|---|
| Flood water from outside | No | Separate flood insurance |
| Earthquake | No | Separate earthquake policy |
| Wear and tear, old age | No | Maintenance, out of pocket |
| Neglect, ignored damage | No | Nothing — fix it early |
| Sewer backup | No, unless rider added | Sewer backup rider |
| Home business damage | No | Commercial policy |
| Pest damage | No | Maintenance, out of pocket |
Three riders fill most of the gaps: flood insurance, earthquake insurance, and a sewer backup rider. A sewer backup rider costs little and covers the backup that a standard policy never does. Scheduled personal property covers jewelry and art above the standard limit. The riders have to be added before the damage — adding flood insurance after the flood is not insurance, it is a donation.
Read your declarations page: it lists the perils, the limits, the deductibles, and the exclusions. The exclusions list is the page that matters — it is short, and it is where the claim gets denied. If the claim is denied, read the denial letter: it names the exclusion, and the exclusion is the answer. Document the damage first and call second — the insurance claim guide covers documenting first and calling second. Water damage has its own rules — the water damage coverage guide covers when it depends on where the water came from.
Flood — water from outside is never covered by a standard policy. Then wear and tear: a roof or a pipe that fails because it is old is maintenance, not insurance.
No — flood water from outside needs separate flood insurance. A standard policy covers water damage from inside, like a burst pipe, not water that comes in from outside.
Only if the mold came from a covered cause — a burst pipe, for example. Mold from a leak ignored for months is neglect, and neglect is never covered.
Not by default — it needs a sewer backup rider, added before the damage. The rider costs little and covers the backup that a standard policy never does.
Read the denial letter: it names the exclusion, and the exclusion is the answer. If the exclusion does not match the damage, appeal with photos and the contractor's report — and document everything before you touch it.