There are a variety of different types of insurance for those who live in dwellings. If you own your home, there are plenty of homeowners insurance policies, and if you rent there are still plenty of options for an insurance policy for renters. Many homeowners realize the importance of having homeowner’s insurance, however, renters don’t seem to understand the important considering those without renters insurance rose from 29% to 41% between the years of 2011 and 2016. Knowing the importance of a basic policy is important, but even more important is knowing some of the things that a basic policy will not cover. Read below to see what types of coverage may require a different policy in addition to home insurance.

Earthquakes

Earthquakes are typically not covered by home insurance. Those who are planning on having earthquake insurance should get additional coverage. If you live in an area where earthquakes are common and happen frequently then it would probably be a good addition to your homeowners insurance policy. If you live in an area that is not prone to earthquakes, but you have noticed an increase in them, then it might be a good idea for you to talk with your insurance company or other insurance companies to gather prices to make an informed decision and decide whether this additional coverage is right for you.

Sewer

Sewer problems are not covered by your homeowners insurance. Water damage, as well as clean-up, can be incredibly expensive for this type of disaster. Once again, these issues can be covered by a different policy different from a typical home insurance policy. This is probably something that you think that you would never need, and the chances are that you would never end up needing it, but in the event that the unfortunate happens, you will be so much more relieved to know that you chose the additional coverage. Knowing that you have this type of protection can save a tremendous amount of stress and money in the event the unthinkable happens.

Floods

If you live in a flood zone then you are required to purchase additional coverage for your home, but typical homeowners insurance does not cover floods for your home. This means that if you live in an area that never receives floods and torrential rainfall happens to cause flooding to hit your neighborhood, you will not only lose a majority of the things in your house, but you will be footing the bill for the cleanup and restoration. Many times this type of clean up so sewer that you have to call a professional company to come to handle it, which means even more money. Just as the other things listed above, you can purchase a separate policy to ensure that you have the necessary coverage to protect your home in the event of a flood.

DIY and Lack of Maintenance

A home is an investment, and that means that you must do your part to maintain it to keep it up. In the event that maintenance lacks and you find out you have issues from it, don’t expect your policy to pick up the slack. Insect or rodent damage are not going to be covered by your policy. Rust or rotting wood will not be covered. Mold is another thing that you cannot expect your policy to cover. Other things that are not covered are DIY projects that go bad. For instance, if you decide to tackle your own plumbing issues and you experience a busted pipe that floods the house, the insurance will not pay for this. It’s probably best to let the experts fix bigger problems and leave the smaller DIY projects to you.

There is nothing worse than dealing with a disaster only to realize that insurance will not cover it and you are on your own. A little advance knowledge can help you make smarter choices when it comes to home insurance. Choosing your company that offers the protection you need and the add on policies that are important to you and your family can allow you to worry less and live a more comfortable life in your home.