Ask The Agent: Earthquakes, Floods and Mudslides
Wondering if your homeowners insurance covers natural disasters like earthquakes, floods and mudslides? Without additional add-ons, your standard homeowners policy likely doesn’t protect you from events like these. In this segment of our Ask The Agent series, expert agent, Robin Moore explains the ins and outs of these coverages so you aren’t left wondering. To have more of your insurance questions answered by our expert agents, click here for our YouTube series.
#1: Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Flood Damage?
According to Robin, the only type of flood damage that is covered by a standard homeowners policy is the type that occurs from accidental discharge of water from inside the home, such as a pipe bursting.
“Yes and no. Yes, for sudden and accidental discharge of water inside the home. Such as an interior pipe breaking causing water damage.”
“No, when its water from outside the home. Most obvious would-be tidal surge causing a river to flood its banks. But more commonly we see claims of flood damage due to heavy rain or rapid snowmelt causing flooding from a change in weather from winter to spring sudden excess water overflow down streets or hills which then cause unexpected damage.”
#2: Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Earthquake Damage?
Earthquake damages are not covered in a standard homeowners policy; Robin says that this is an additional coverage that the homeowner must purchase.
“Simply put, no– Earth movement is not covered in your standard home policy, it is a separate coverage you need to add, and did you know we have constant Earth tremors?”
#3: Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Mudslide Damage?
Just like earthquakes, Robin says that mudslides fall into the “earth movement” category, and are not covered by a standard homeowners policy.
“Simply put, no– mudslides fall under the Earth movement category, which is not covered in your standard home policy, it is a separate coverage you need to add. Big rains, erosion, live on a hill…it happens, and we hate to see it go down.”
Don’t wait for a natural disaster to find out that you have gaps in your homeowners coverage! Click here to find out more about the Homeowners insurance.
For more of our Ask The Agent series, click here.
Should you have any questions regarding your current coverage or want further information on these points, Basin Pacific Insurance is here for you. For more information on auto insurance coverage click here, or contact us at (509) 765-4785.
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