Most homeowners think of their insurance policy as protection against the big stuff — fire, storms, theft. But a standard PA homeowners policy typically covers a number of less obvious situations too: spoiled food after a power outage, a lawnmower stolen from an unlocked shed, or damage from falling debris. At Alliance Adjustment Group, we review policies and claims for a living, and these are coverages we see homeowners overlook on a regular basis.
Below, we’ve broken down eight uncommon things covered by homeowners insurance in Pennsylvania, along with the details, limits, and exclusions that typically apply to each.
Uncommon Things Covered by Homeowners Insurance: A Quick Overview
Here’s a quick look at what’s covered below before we get into the details:
- Fallen trees — repair and removal costs when a tree damages a covered structure
- AC unit damage — coverage for sudden, accidental damage like lightning or vandalism
- Stolen landscaping equipment — mowers, blowers, and trimmers taken from secured storage
- Falling objects — debris, ice, or other unexpected impacts from above
- Spoiled food — losses from a power outage caused by a covered peril
- Building ordinance upgrades — bringing repairs up to current code
- Aircraft or vehicle damage — rare, but typically covered when it happens
- Raccoon damage — structural repairs from wildlife intrusion
Every policy is different, and the specifics below reflect how these coverages typically work — always check your own declarations page and endorsements for exact limits.
Are Fallen Trees Covered by Homeowners Insurance?
When a tree falls on your house due to storms, heavy snow, or wind and damages your home or another covered structure, homeowners insurance typically covers the repair costs, along with limited tree removal — often up to a set cap per tree and a separate cap per storm. Damage caused by a tree you knew was diseased or neglected is generally excluded, and if the tree falls without hitting an insured structure, removal costs usually aren’t covered either.
This is one of the more detailed coverage areas, with its own set of rules around removal limits, neighbor disputes, and what counts as neglect.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover AC Unit Damage?
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. If your air conditioning system is damaged by a covered peril listed in your policy, the repair or replacement costs are generally covered.
Coverage Details:
- Types of Damage Covered: Most policies cover damage that’s sudden and accidental — fire, storms, or other named perils in your policy.
- HVAC Systems: Coverage often applies to both central and standalone units. If a replacement requires upgrading to meet current code, that cost may also be covered under a separate part of your policy, depending on your specific coverage.
- Exclusions: Damage from normal wear and tear or lack of maintenance isn’t covered. Insurers expect homeowners to keep up with routine servicing.
Is Stolen Landscaping Equipment Covered by Homeowners Insurance?
Your yard is a real investment — in time and in equipment. When landscaping tools like lawnmowers, leaf blowers, and hedge trimmers are stolen from your property, homeowners insurance can often step in.
Coverage Insights:
- Secure Storage: Most policies require these items to be stored securely, such as in a locked shed or garage. Equipment left out in the open generally isn’t covered.
- Deductible: As with any claim, you’ll need to meet your deductible first. Depending on the value of what was stolen, it may or may not make sense to file.
- Replacement Cost vs. Actual Cash Value: Some policies pay to replace stolen items at current market prices; others deduct for depreciation and pay actual cash value instead.
Additional Tips:
- Keep an inventory of your equipment — make, model, serial numbers, and photos — to simplify the claims process if theft occurs.
- Security cameras or motion-sensor lighting around storage areas can help deter theft and may even qualify you for a policy discount.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Falling Object Damage?
Imagine sitting in your living room when a branch — or something as unusual as debris — crashes through your roof. Homeowners insurance usually covers damage from objects that unexpectedly fall from above, protecting both the structure of your home and the belongings inside.
Key Coverage Points:
- Scope of Coverage: This includes direct damage to your home and personal property from objects falling from above, whether that’s storm debris, ice, or something rarer.
- Exclusions: The damage must be sudden and unforeseen. Items dropped during home maintenance or construction generally aren’t covered, since those incidents are considered preventable.
- Claims Process: Document the incident with photos and descriptions. Temporary fixes to prevent further damage — like covering a hole in the roof — may also be covered under your policy.
Practical Tips:
- Check your property for damage that isn’t immediately obvious. Some damage doesn’t show up until days or weeks later.
- Review your policy for specific limits or filing timeframes tied to this type of claim.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Spoiled Food?
During a power outage caused by a covered peril — like a severe storm — your homeowners insurance may cover the cost of food that spoils in your refrigerator or freezer.
Coverage Details:
- Coverage Limits: Most policies cap this benefit somewhere between $250 and $500. Check your policy for your specific limit.
- Eligible Outages: The outage needs to result from a covered peril. A general utility failure without a covered cause may not qualify.
- Documentation: You may need to provide a list or receipts for spoiled items, and some insurers request photos as well.
Tips for Handling Food Spoilage Claims:
- Keep a general sense of what you typically stock in your fridge and freezer, so you can put together a reasonable estimate if you ever need to.
- A backup power source, like a generator, can reduce the odds of spoilage during longer outages.
What Is Building Ordinance Coverage in Homeowners Insurance?
When your home needs repairs or rebuilding after a covered loss, building ordinance coverage can help pay for bringing things up to current building code — especially relevant for older homes.
Coverage Essentials:
- What It Includes: This typically applies when local codes have changed since your home was built, requiring upgrades to electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or other structural elements during repair.
- Policy Limits: Coverage is often capped as a percentage of your dwelling coverage amount.
- Triggering Event: This coverage only applies when repairs are triggered by a covered peril — such as fire or storm damage — not general renovations.
Practical Considerations:
- Check what percentage of your coverage limit is allocated to ordinance or law upgrades. Some policies include it by default; others require an endorsement.
- In areas where codes are updated frequently, this coverage can matter more than homeowners expect.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Aircraft or Vehicle Damage?
It’s not something most people think about, but your home could be damaged by an aircraft or a vehicle — rare, but it happens. Homeowners insurance typically covers this kind of damage.
Coverage Insights:
- Scope of Damage: This includes structural damage to your home as well as personal property inside, resulting from an aircraft or vehicle impact.
- Liability and Claims: Property damage falls under this coverage, but liability claims — like injuries to a third party — are typically handled under a different part of your policy.
- Exclusions: Damage from a vehicle you own that wasn’t in use, or from aircraft/vehicles involved in controlled recreational activity on your property, may be excluded.
Does Home Insurance Cover Raccoon Damage?
Raccoons can cause more than a nuisance — they can do real structural damage. In Pennsylvania, homeowners insurance typically covers damage caused by raccoons to the structure of your home, such as the attic or roof.
Coverage Details:
- Structural Repairs: Insurance usually covers repair costs for damage to the physical structure — walls, roofs, and similar components.
- Exclusions: Most policies don’t cover removing the raccoons themselves, sanitizing the area, or repairing personal property like furniture or chewed wiring.
- Claim Process: Document the damage with photos and contact your insurer promptly. An adjuster may need to assess the damage to confirm coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is spoiled food from a power outage actually covered?
Often, yes — as long as the outage is caused by a covered peril, like a storm that knocks out power lines. Coverage is typically capped between $250 and $500, and you may need to provide a list or receipts for what was lost. A general utility outage unrelated to a covered peril may not qualify.
Does my policy cover damage from a neighbor’s tree?
Usually, yes. If a neighbor’s tree falls on your home, your own homeowners policy typically covers the repair, regardless of whose property the tree was on. The exception is negligence — if the tree was visibly dead or diseased and the neighbor knew about it and failed to address it, that can affect how the claim is handled.
What’s usually excluded even in a broad homeowners policy?
Common exclusions include damage from neglect or lack of maintenance, flooding (which typically requires separate flood insurance), and normal wear and tear on things like HVAC systems or roofing. Coverage details vary by policy, so it’s worth reviewing your declarations page for specifics.
Do I need to file a police report for stolen landscaping equipment?
Most insurers expect a police report for theft claims, even for lower-value items like lawn equipment. It helps establish the claim and is often required before the insurer will process reimbursement.
How do I know if my policy includes building ordinance coverage?
Check your declarations page for an “Ordinance or Law” endorsement, or ask your agent directly. Some policies include a base level of this coverage automatically, while others require it to be added separately — and the amount available is usually a percentage of your dwelling coverage.
Not Sure What Your Policy Actually Covers?
Homeowners insurance often includes more than the basics — but knowing what applies to your specific situation means reading the fine print, and that’s not always straightforward. At Alliance Adjustment Group, we help Pennsylvania homeowners understand what their policy covers, document damage properly, and navigate the claims process from start to finish.
If you’re dealing with damage and aren’t sure whether it’s covered, give us a call at (267) 880-3000 — or contact us through our contact page; we’re happy to walk through your policy with you.
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.