Homeowners insurance covers many of the problems that homeowners face, but some perils are excluded from coverage as a general rule, even if they happen with some frequency around your home.
Floods
Floods caused by rising water due to heavy rain, overflowing bodies of water, or other flash flood conditions fall into a type of peril that requires a purchase of additional coverage in almost every case.
Flood insurance is widely available through nationalized programs and partnerships, as well as being offered as a standalone product or an endorsement for existing home insurance.
Earthquakes and sinkholes
Earthquakes are almost completely excluded from home policies in the United States, though in some states with higher risk, insurers must provide this coverage as an optional purchase. Examples include Tennessee and Florida.
Wind damage in high-risk states
Tropical storms, typhoons, and hurricanes, all of which are known as ‘named storms’ among insurance professionals, are excluded from coverage by standard homeowners insurance policies. This kind of exclusion is generally limited to coastal states.
These hurricane-prone, coastal states are categorized in a different way by insurers than states that simply see high winds every year. For all these states, though, wind and hail coverage may be excluded, or it may be mandatorily included with a separate hail and wind deductible, which can be priced in a couple of different ways.
Even if the homeowners policy’s ‘main’ deductible is a flat fee, such as $1000 for any claim, the wind and hail portion of the policy’s coverage likely carries a percentage deductible, which is calculated as a percentage of the total insured value of the property.
An additional purchase of a parametric deductible relief policy is a popular option to lower your risk further. This type of standalone deductible buyback policy provides a payout that covers that potentially high percentage deductible and simplifies the claim process for the homeowner.
Mold
Mold claims are some of the most difficult to qualify. The complexity of mold claims includes the distinction that mold typically doesn’t form overnight. In most cases the presence of mold indicates an ongoing case of neglect or lack of proper maintenance that may have included a slow or hidden leak inside the home.
Wear and tear or neglect
Deterioration or other damage that is determined to be caused by aging or a lack of any basic maintenance will be classified as neglect, and will always be found ineligible for coverage by a home insurance policy.
Pest infestations
Considered to be a type of neglect, home damage caused by ongoing infestation by insects, rodents, or other pests will be found ineligible for coverage, as this is not seen as accidental and sudden damage.
Sewer and drain backups
Different from water damage that is caused by heavy rainfall or other precipitation, which is covered by flood insurance, sewer backup damage is caused when water or sewage from outside the home becomes a problem due to external drain or pumping issues, or if a septic tank overflows.
How can I decide which additional coverage I need?
Your best source of information about the coverage options available to you will always be your local independent insurance agent. A good agent will be familiar with state insurance laws, exclusions, and other details that can guide your purchase decisions and help you remain prepared for any perils that are likely to be a threat to your home and safety in the future.
Sources:
Sibor, Doug. “10 Kinds of Damage Home Insurance Won’t Cover”, NerdWallet, Jul. 07, 2026, https://www.nerdwallet.com/insurance/homeowners/learn/home-insurance-exclusions
Gray is the Senior Content Specialist at Sola Insurance, working with the Sales and Marketing teams to provide helpful, valuable content for homeowners and agents. Gray has worked previously in finance, logistics, and advertising.
