What types of losses are usually excluded from a standard homeowners insurance policy?

Homeowners insurance policies are designed to cover a broad range of risks, but there are specific types of losses that are typically excluded to manage risk and costs. Flood damage, earthquake damage, and maintenance-related issues fall into categories that standard homeowners policies usually exclude.

Floods are a significant risk that can cause extensive damage, which is why they often require separate flood insurance policies. Earthquakes are similarly a high-risk event that insurers prefer to handle separately due to the intense damage they can cause. Maintenance-related issues are typically the responsibility of the homeowner, as standard policies do not cover losses resulting from neglect or failure to properly maintain the property.

This understanding of exclusions helps homeowners recognize the limitations of a standard policy and the importance of additional coverage where necessary, such as purchasing flood or earthquake insurance based on their individual risk factors.