Uncommon Things Covered by Homeowners Insurance in Pennsylvania 

Uncommon Things Covered by Homeowners Insurance in Pennsylvania

When it comes to homeowners insurance, most people are familiar with standard coverages like fire, theft, or liability. However, did you know your policy might cover some unexpected events or damages? If you live in Pennsylvania, understanding these lesser-known protections can help you make the most of your coverage and avoid unexpected expenses. Let’s explore some of the surprising things your homeowners insurance may cover.

Are Fallen Trees Covered by Homeowners Insurance? 

When a tree falls due to natural events such as storms, heavy snow, or wind, and causes damage to your home or other structures on your property, homeowners insurance typically covers the repair costs. The coverage extends to structures explicitly listed in your policy, which often include the main house, garage, and sometimes other outbuildings like sheds. 

Key Coverage Points: 

• Repair Costs: If a fallen tree damages your roof, walls, or any structural components of covered buildings, your insurance policy generally pays for repairs or rebuilding those parts. 
• Tree Removal: Policies usually cover the cost of removing the tree, but only if it falls on an insured structure. There might be a cap on how much the policy will pay for tree removal, so it’s important to check the specifics. For instance, the policy may cover up to $1,000 per tree and a total of $5,000 after a storm. 
• Exclusions and Conditions: Damage caused by a tree falling due to neglect or a diseased tree that you failed to maintain might not be covered. Additionally, if the tree falls but does not hit any insured structure—like landing in the middle of your yard without causing damage to a covered building—removal costs might not be covered. 
• Deductibles and Limits: As with any insurance claim, you’ll be responsible for paying any deductible set in your policy before the insurer pays for repairs. There might also be limits on how much the policy will pay, which can depend on the overall coverage limit of your policy and any sub-limits set for specific kinds of damage. 

Does Home Insurance Cover AC Unit? 

When summer heat peaks, the last thing you want is for your air conditioning unit to fail—especially due to unexpected causes like lightning strikes or vandalism. Homeowners insurance can be a real lifesaver in such situations. If your air conditioning system is damaged because of a covered peril listed in your policy, you can generally expect the repair or replacement costs to be covered. 

Coverage Details: 

• Types of Damage Covered: Most policies will cover damages that are sudden and accidental. This includes scenarios where your air conditioning is damaged by fire, storms, or other specific risks mentioned in your policy. 
• HVAC Systems: Coverage often includes both central and standalone air conditioning units. If the damage requires replacing an older model that’s not compliant with current regulations, your insurance may also cover the necessary upgrades to meet modern standards, though this can depend on your specific policy details. 
• Exclusions: It’s important to note that damages due to normal wear and tear or lack of maintenance are not covered. Insurers expect homeowners to take reasonable care of their systems, like regular servicing and cleaning. 

Theft of Landscaping Equipment 

Your yard is your pride and joy, not to mention a considerable investment in time and equipment. When it comes to landscaping tools and machinery—like lawnmowers, leaf blowers, and hedge trimmers—homeowners insurance can step in if these items are stolen from your property. 

Coverage Insights: 

• Secure Storage: To qualify for coverage, most policies require that these items be stored securely, such as in a locked shed or garage. Simply leaving them out in the yard is generally not covered. 
• Deductible: If theft occurs and you file a claim, you’ll need to pay your deductible first, as with other types of claims. Depending on the value of the stolen equipment and your deductible amount, it may or may not be worth filing a claim. 
• Replacement Cost vs. Actual Cash Value: Policies typically reimburse either the replacement cost or the actual cash value of the stolen items. Replacement cost coverage pays to replace the items at current market prices, whereas actual cash value coverage deducts for depreciation. 

Additional Tips: 

• Keep an inventory of your equipment, including make, model, and serial numbers, and store it along with photos. This can significantly simplify the claims process. 
• Consider installing security cameras or motion sensor lights around storage areas to deter theft and potentially qualify for policy discounts. 

Falling Objects Insurance Coverage 

Imagine sitting in your living room when suddenly a branch, or even something as unusual as a small meteorite, crashes through your roof. Homeowners insurance usually covers damage from objects that unexpectedly fall from the sky, protecting the structure of your home and the belongings inside. 

Key Coverage Points: 

• Scope of Coverage: This includes any direct damage to your home and personal property inside due to objects falling from above. Whether it’s a piece of satellite debris or a large ice chunk, if it damages your roof, walls, or personal items, your policy will likely cover repairs or replacements. 
• Exclusions: Damage must be sudden and unforeseen. Items dropped during home maintenance or construction aren’t usually covered because these incidents could be prevented with proper safety measures. 
• Claims Process: Filing a claim for this type of damage will involve documenting the incident thoroughly with photos and descriptions. It’s also wise to mitigate further damage by covering up breaches in the structure to prevent weather or animals from getting inside, as your policy might also cover these temporary fixes. 

Practical Tips: 

• After any incident involving falling objects, check your property for damage not immediately obvious. Hidden damages can sometimes manifest days or even weeks after the incident. 
• Review your policy to understand any specific limitations or conditions that apply to such events, including coverage caps or requirements for filing a claim within a certain timeframe. 

Damage from falling objects is a rare but real risk, and understanding your coverage can help you react more effectively should the unexpected occur. 

Insurance Claim for Spoiled Food 

During power outages, especially those caused by covered perils such as severe storms or other disasters that disrupt power lines, your homeowners insurance may cover the cost of food that spoils as a result. This can be a relief when you open your refrigerator to find everything inside has gone bad. 

Coverage Details: 

• Coverage Limits: Most policies limit the amount they’ll cover for spoiled food, typically between $250 to $500. It’s important to check your policy for the specific limit. 
• Eligible Outages: The outage must be caused by a covered peril. General power failures or outages due to a utility company issue without a covered peril may not qualify. 
• Documentation for Claims: You may need to provide a list or receipts for the spoiled items when filing a claim. Some insurers might request photos or other evidence of the loss. 

Tips for Handling Food Spoilage Claims: 

• Maintain a list of what you typically store in your freezer and refrigerator. This doesn’t need to be overly detailed but should give a fair estimate of what you might lose in a power outage. 
• Consider backup power solutions like generators for maintaining essential appliances operational during longer outages, potentially reducing your risk of food spoilage. 

Building Ordinance Upgrades 

When a home is damaged and repairs or rebuilding are required, building ordinance coverage can play a crucial role. This part of your homeowners insurance helps cover the additional costs of bringing your home up to current building codes during repairs, which is particularly relevant for older homes. 

Coverage Essentials: 

• What It Includes: This coverage generally kicks in when local building codes have changed since your home was originally built, requiring upgrades for electrical systems, plumbing, HVAC, or other structural elements to meet new standards. 
• Policy Limits: Like other specific coverages, there may be limits to how much your policy will pay out for ordinance or law upgrades. This is often a percentage of the dwelling coverage amount. 
• Triggering Event: Coverage only applies if the repairs or rebuilding are initiated due to damage from a covered peril, such as fire, storm damage, or other types of loss covered by your policy. 

Practical Considerations: 

• Review your current policy to understand what percentage of your coverage limit is allocated for building ordinance upgrades. Some policies offer this coverage by default, while others may require an additional endorsement. 
• In areas where codes are frequently updated, this coverage is particularly valuable to ensure that you’re not caught off guard by unexpected compliance costs after a major claim. 

Damage from Aircraft or Vehicles 

It’s not something most people think about, but your home could be damaged by an aircraft or vehicle—even though such incidents are rare. Homeowners insurance typically covers damage from such accidents, providing peace of mind in these unusual situations. 

Coverage Insights: 

• Scope of Damage: This coverage includes any structural damage to your home as well as damage to personal property within, resulting from an aircraft or vehicle crashing into or otherwise impacting your house. 
• Liability and Claims: It’s important to note that while your property damage is covered, any liability claims related to the incident, such as injuries to a third party on your property, would be handled under a different part of your policy. 
• Exclusions: Common exclusions might include damage from vehicles owned by the homeowner that were not in use, or damage from aircraft or vehicles in controlled recreational activities on your property. 

Does Home Insurance Cover Raccoon Damage 

Dealing with raccoons can be more than just a nuisance; it can lead to significant damage to your home. In Pennsylvania, homeowners insurance typically covers damage caused by raccoons to the structure of your home, such as the attic or roof. This means if raccoons tear through your shingles or gnaw on your beams, the costs of repairs for these structural damages are generally covered. 

Coverage Details: 

• Structural Repairs: Insurance will usually cover the repair costs for damage to the physical structure of your home. This includes walls, roofs, and other integral parts of the building. 
• Exclusions: Most homeowners policies do not cover the cost of removing the raccoons themselves or cleaning up after them. This includes sanitizing infested areas or repairing damage to personal property inside your home, such as damaged furniture or chewed wiring. 
• Claim Process: If you discover raccoon damage, it’s important to document the extent of the damage with photos and promptly contact your insurance provider. An adjuster may need to assess the damage to determine if it falls under the coverage of your policy. 

Understanding the coverage details of your homeowners insurance policy is crucial, especially when it comes to uncommon damages that you might not know are covered. From the havoc wreaked by fallen trees to unexpected incidents involving aircraft or vehicles, many homeowners are often unaware of the breadth of their policy’s protection. 

At Alliance Adjustment Group, we specialize in helping homeowners navigate the complexities of insurance claims for these lesser-known coverages. Our expertise ensures that you can fully utilize your insurance benefits, even for the most unusual situations. We guide you through the process of documenting the damage, filing your claim accurately, and negotiation with your insurance provider to secure the compensation you deserve. 

Disclaimer: 

The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. 

While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, insurance policies and regulations can vary. It is important to consult with your specific insurance provider or a qualified professional for advice tailored to your individual circumstances.