When we think of home insurance, we tend to think that the protection covers the home itself — maybe stolen possessions, and any liability costs that come our way. In fact, your home insurance policy extends well beyond these simple concerns. Here are five things you might not have known your
homeowners policy protects:
1. Your Kid's Dorm Room
Your homeowners policy protects your family's possessions — even when they're not in your home. If you have items stolen from your car, from your storage unit, or even from your kid's dorm room, you're protected. Just make sure your insurer has a record of all that new stuff you bought to deck out the dorm.
2. Living Expenses
If you need to vacate your home while it undergoes repairs, you may be covered for a stay in a hotel or rental apartment for a period, so long as the damages fall under a protected hazard.
3. Fire Department Charges
You probably didn't know there was even any such thing as fire department charges. However, when a fire department monitors homes through a third party, fees are often collected. In this instance, however, the fees are usually so low that you might as well pay out of pocket rather than worry about a deductible.
4. DIY Damages
If you try to install a new sink and wind up totaling your counter top, you may find that you're protected under your homeowners insurance plan — so long as you let your insurer know before you began your attempt at a DIY project.
5. Wild Animal Damages
If you don't live in a rural area, you might be laughing at this one. But at least a few times a year, some displaced deer or bears make their way into a suburban neighborhood, tearing down fences and garage doors up and down the street. It's good to know that you're covered should this happen.
And one more, just for fun: Space debris. We’re going to go ahead and say that your home insurance provider probably doesn't get a lot of claims for meteorite damage.
Also Read: What to do After a Large Storm Damages Your Home