Home Insurance Exclusions

When you need to make a claim on your homeowner’s insurance policy, that’s a rotten time to find out the situation is not covered. Take the time to familiarize yourself with the exclusions included in your policy that your insurance company will not provide coverage for, so you can avoid nasty surprises.

Common Home Insurance Exclusions

Most basic home insurance policies sold in Ontario contain similar exclusions, which are generally predictable or preventable events. The details may differ slightly between insurers; however, several categories of exclusions are common to all insurance companies. Home insurance exclusions typically include:

• Damage caused by pests: Damage caused by insects and rodents such as termites, squirrels, mice, or any other animals.
• Water damage caused by flood: Water damage caused by a flood or by water seeping through cracks in your foundation.
• Damage from frozen indoor plumbing: Unless you take specific precautions as outlined in your policy.
• Damage from freezing outside the home: Damage caused to the exterior of your home by freezing, heaving caused by frost, or a snow slide.
• Wear-and-tear: Damage caused by wear and tear, rust, corrosion or gradual deterioration.
• Ground movements: Damage caused by a landslide and other ground movements such as earthquakes. Damage from a fire or explosion caused by earth movement, however, would normally be covered.
• Intentional loss: Intentional or criminal acts committed by you (fraud).
• Damage to illegally acquired property
• Losses caused by criminal acts by the policyholder
• Losses due to war, terrorism, nuclear risks
• Pollution

Optional Coverage is Available

If there is a particular situation or peril that concerns you, ask your insurance expert about coverage options for it, known as endorsements. To protect your home against generally excluded perils, such as earthquakes and floods, you may be able to purchase optional coverage. There’s no harm in asking for a quote to add an endorsement to your homeowners policy and then decide if it is worth it or not.

Homeowner’s Insurance Advice

To be sure what coverage and exclusions are in your homeowner’s insurance, feel free to ask the insurance experts at Mitchell & Whale about your policy. Give us a call at 1-800-731-2228 or email us at info@mitchellwhale.com; we’d be happy to talk with you.