Falls And Other Foibles: Will Your Homeowners Insurance Cover It?
Not only is homeowners' insurance a mandatory part of homeownership, but it's also a very handy method of dealing with the financial risks that come along with life lived on your property. In short, home insurance provides the type of financial coverage that could wipe you out when and if accidents take place on your property. While some instances (called perils in the industry) such as fires, vandalism, and water leak damage are obviously covered, there are other types of perils that might seem to be questionable.
Many homeowners fail to file any claims at all because the process of filing can appear to be too complicated. But if there's anything that you should keep in mind, it's this: you should file any legitimate claim that arises. Your insurance broker might surprise you with what you might be able to claim, such as these:
1. Your guest sprains their ankle while falling down your stairs
You might chalk this off to an unfortunate health accident, especially if your guest seemed to be healthy when they left your property. But did you know that you could be held liable for any human injuries that take place on your property, even if the injured party appeared to be in good health when they left? Your homeowners' insurance policy in most cases will cover things such as medical expenses and lost wages if they're unable to work.
2. Your kid's science experiment blows up your detached shed
You might feel too embarrassed to file a claim because of your child's failed science experiment, but since the shed is a detached structure on your property, then your policy will cover this. If you feel too silly or intimidated to call your insurance carrier, then discuss the issue with a home insurance broker for more clarity.
3. Your electricity went out and all of your food has spoiled
It would probably make you sick to think of the hundreds of dollars you spend on food, possibly within a week, just to have all of the food in the fridge or the freezer spoil due to an extended electrical outage. Most people believe that they're financially out of luck when this happens, but if you're the type who saves your receipts, then you could be reimbursed for your loss via your homeowners' policy. This is especially true for high-ticket food and beverage items.
If you have any questions, then consult with your homeowners' insurance broker.