Home insurance covers a variety of risks that can happen to your home, from theft and vandalism to earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods. It also includes coverage for situations that are not considered natural disasters, like a house fire or a broken pipe that leaks water into your basement. If your home is damaged or destroyed as a result of a natural or manmade disaster, your insurance policy will likely cover the losses. In some cases, you may even be able to receive reimbursement from your insurer for the costs of repairs and rebuilding. Here are the most common types of disasters covered by home insurance.

Tornadoes

Tornadoes are a powerful and deadly force of nature that can cause widespread destruction. A hurricane is the type of disaster most often associated with tornadoes, because the wind speeds and tight pressure changes that occur with a hurricane can spawn tornadoes.

Floods

A flood is one of the most common types of disasters that are covered by insurance. This type of disaster happens when an area is flooded with water due to a natural event like heavy rain or snow melt, or an unlikely event like a dam breaking. Floods can happen anywhere and at any time, so it’s important to prepare your home for this type of risk.

Hurricanes

Hurricanes are the most common natural disaster that is covered by home insurance. Hurricanes, also known as tropical cyclones, are low pressure systems that form over warm waters in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. They tend to form in late summer and early fall and can cause devastation to coastal regions when they make landfall. Hurricanes typically produce strong winds of 110 mph or more, heavy rain, and flooding caused by storm surges.

Earthquakes

Earthquakes are one of the most common types of disasters covered by home insurance. An earthquake can cause extensive damage to your house or even destroy it. The majority of earthquakes occur in California, Alaska, and Japan.

Fires

What can happen to your home if it catches fire? You could lose all of your belongings, the structure of your home could be damaged beyond repair, or you may even sustain injuries from the fire. Fires are a relatively common occurrence and can happen in any number of ways. Things like faulty wiring and typos in house plans can lead to fires. And even if the cause is determined, there’s still a chance that your insurance policy won’t cover the damage that ensues.

Vandalism

Home insurance covers vandalism, which typically falls under the “Acts of God” section of your policy. Vandalism covers damage to a home from someone who intentionally causes damage, like breaking a window or slashing tires.

Conclusion

Homeowners insurance is one of the best investments you can make in your home. It can be hard to find the best option, but if you take the time to shop around, talk to your agent and get a quote, you’ll have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you’ve done everything possible to protect your home and loved ones.