Homeowners around Matthews, NC often assume that their standard insurance policy will cover all types of natural disasters, but this is not always the case. Understanding the gaps in your coverage is essential to avoid financial surprises when disaster strikes. Natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes can cause significant damage, and many policies have limitations or exclusions for these events. Our insurance agency can offer greater insight.

Understanding Flood Damage Exclusion

One of the most common coverage gaps in home insurance is flood damage. Most standard home insurance policies do not cover damage caused by flooding, whether from heavy rain, storm surges, or overflowing rivers. To protect your home from flood-related risks, you may need to purchase separate flood insurance, which is often required in flood-prone areas. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) offers coverage, but it’s important to assess your home’s risk and ensure you have adequate protection.

Earthquake Damage Coverage

Earthquake damage is another common exclusion in home insurance policies. If you live in an area prone to seismic activity, such as California or the Pacific Northwest, you will likely need to purchase additional earthquake insurance. Earthquake coverage typically protects your home from damage caused by ground shaking, including foundation cracks, structural damage, and even the collapse of the house.

Limitations of Hurricane Protection

Although most home insurance policies cover wind damage from hurricanes, they often have higher deductibles for hurricane-related claims. Additionally, water damage from storm surges is not covered unless you have flood insurance. In hurricane-prone areas, reviewing your policy’s wind and flood coverage is essential to ensure you are fully protected.

Contact Jim Boyce Insurance for More Information

Jim Boyce Insurance is here to provide the best explanations for answering your insurance questions as we serve Matthews, NC and surrounding cities. Call today.