Author: Home & Dime Editorial Team

Homeowners insurance won’t cover floods, earthquakes, wear and tear, neglect, pests, or sewer backups — but most of these gaps can be closed with add-ons.

By the Home & Dime Editorial Team · Last updated 2026

The major exclusions

• Flooding (needs flood insurance).
• Earthquakes.
• Neglect and wear.
• Pests and termites.
• Sewer backups (needs endorsement).

How to fill the gaps

• Flood insurance.
• Earthquake endorsement.
• Water-backup endorsement.
• Scheduled riders for valuables.

Frequently asked questions

Does it cover water damage?

Only sudden, accidental water damage.

Why was my claim denied?

Usually the cause was ruled gradual or preventable.

The bottom line

Homeowners insurance is built for sudden accidents — fill the flood, quake, and backup gaps with add-ons.

Related guides

• What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover?
• Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Mold?

Sources: Insurance Information Institute (iii.org); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; FEMA; state Departments of Insurance. General information, not insurance advice.

Choosing between policy types? Compare HO-3 vs. HO-5 homeowners policies to see which coverage level fits your home.

Homeowners insurance covers jewelry, but only up to a low theft sub-limit (often $1,000–$2,000). To fully cover a valuable ring, schedule it with a rider.

By the Home & Dime Editorial Team · Last updated 2026

The sub-limit

Theft payouts for jewelry are capped low under the base policy.

Scheduling for full coverage

A scheduled personal property rider covers full appraised value and adds accidental loss — often with no deductible.

Frequently asked questions

Is a lost ring covered?

Not under the base policy — only if scheduled.

Do I need an appraisal?

Yes, usually, to schedule a valuable item.

The bottom line

Base jewelry coverage is capped; schedule valuables to cover full value and loss.

Related guides

• What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover?

Sources: Insurance Information Institute (iii.org); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; FEMA; state Departments of Insurance. General information, not insurance advice.

Standard homeowners insurance usually excludes sewer line damage and backups — but two cheap endorsements (water backup and service line) cover them.

By the Home & Dime Editorial Team · Last updated 2026

Why excluded

Buried lines and backups are treated as maintenance or gradual failure.

Add these

• Water backup coverage for drain/sewage backups.
• Service line coverage for buried line repairs.

Frequently asked questions

Is a sewage backup covered?

Only with the water-backup endorsement.

Who fixes the street line?

The municipality.

The bottom line

Standard policies exclude sewer lines and backups — add the two endorsements.

Related guides

• What Is NOT Covered by Homeowners Insurance?

Sources: Insurance Information Institute (iii.org); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; FEMA; state Departments of Insurance. General information, not insurance advice.

Homeowners insurance covers the water damage from a sudden water heater burst — but not the water heater itself if it failed from age or wear.

By the Home & Dime Editorial Team · Last updated 2026

Covered

• Damage to floors, walls, and belongings from a sudden burst.

Not covered

• The unit itself (wear/mechanical).
• Gradual leaks and rust.

Frequently asked questions

Will it replace the water heater?

Usually no — the appliance is your cost.

What covers the appliance?

A home warranty.

The bottom line

A sudden burst’s water damage is covered; the aging appliance isn’t.

Related guides

• Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Plumbing?

Sources: Insurance Information Institute (iii.org); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; FEMA; state Departments of Insurance. General information, not insurance advice.

The personal liability part of homeowners insurance usually covers dog bites, but many insurers exclude certain breeds or dogs with a bite history.

By the Home & Dime Editorial Team · Last updated 2026

How it works

Liability can pay the injured person’s medical bills, lost wages, and any settlement, up to your limit.

Common exclusions

• Breed restrictions.
• Dogs with a prior bite.

Frequently asked questions

Does it cover bites off my property?

Usually yes — liability follows you.

My breed is excluded?

Consider canine-liability or umbrella coverage.

The bottom line

Liability usually handles dog bites, but breed and history exclusions are common.

Related guides

• What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover?

Sources: Insurance Information Institute (iii.org); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; FEMA; state Departments of Insurance. General information, not insurance advice.

Your fence is covered under ‘other structures’ when a covered peril — storm, fire, vandalism, or a car — damages it, but not rot, rust, or wear.

By the Home & Dime Editorial Team · Last updated 2026

Covered

• Wind or a fallen tree.
• A car hits it.
• Fire or vandalism.

Not covered

• Rot, rust, wear.
• Termite/pest damage.

Frequently asked questions

New or depreciated payout?

Often actual cash value.

Neighbor’s tree hit my fence?

Usually covered under your policy.

The bottom line

Storm, fire, or car damage to a fence is covered; rot and wear are not.

Related guides

• Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Tree Removal?

Sources: Insurance Information Institute (iii.org); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; FEMA; state Departments of Insurance. General information, not insurance advice.

Homeowners insurance covers foundation repair only from a sudden covered peril, like a burst pipe under the slab. Cracks from settling, soil movement, or age are excluded.

By the Home & Dime Editorial Team · Last updated 2026

Covered

• A plumbing pipe under the foundation bursts.
• An explosion or fallen tree.

Not covered

• Settling and hairline cracks.
• Soil movement and drainage.
• Earthquakes.

Frequently asked questions

Are foundation cracks covered?

Only if a covered peril caused them.

What about a slab leak?

The water damage may be covered; the foundation fix often isn’t.

The bottom line

Only sudden covered-peril foundation damage qualifies — settling and soil are excluded.

Related guides

• What Is NOT Covered by Homeowners Insurance?

Sources: Insurance Information Institute (iii.org); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; FEMA; state Departments of Insurance. General information, not insurance advice.

Homeowners insurance covers sudden plumbing failures like a burst pipe and the resulting water damage — but not gradual leaks or the worn-out pipe itself.

By the Home & Dime Editorial Team · Last updated 2026

Covered

• A pipe suddenly bursts.
• Water damage from that burst.

Not covered

• Gradual leaks and seepage.
• The aging pipe itself.
• Sewer backups (without endorsement).

Frequently asked questions

Does it cover a slab leak?

The sudden water damage often is; the pipe repair may be limited.

Frozen pipes?

Yes, if you kept the home heated.

The bottom line

Sudden bursts and their water damage are covered; slow leaks and the worn pipe are not.

Related guides

• Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Water Damage?

Sources: Insurance Information Institute (iii.org); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; FEMA; state Departments of Insurance. General information, not insurance advice.

Homeowners insurance covers tree removal only if the tree fell from a covered peril AND damaged a covered structure — usually capped at $500–$1,000 per tree.

By the Home & Dime Editorial Team · Last updated 2026

When it’s covered

• A storm knocks a tree onto your house, garage, or fence.

When it isn’t

• A tree falls but hits nothing.
• Preventative removal of a healthy tree.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it pay?

Typically $500–$1,000 per tree.

A tree fell but hit nothing — covered?

Usually not.

The bottom line

Removal is covered when a storm-felled tree hits something insured — otherwise you pay.

Related guides

• Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Roof Leaks?

Sources: Insurance Information Institute (iii.org); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; FEMA; state Departments of Insurance. General information, not insurance advice.

Homeowners insurance almost never covers termite damage — it’s treated as a preventable maintenance problem.

By the Home & Dime Editorial Team · Last updated 2026

Why it’s excluded

Termite infestations develop slowly and are considered preventable with inspections and upkeep.

Protect your home instead

• Annual termite inspections.
• A termite bond / pest-control plan.
• Fix moisture issues.

Frequently asked questions

What if termites cause a collapse?

Sometimes claimed under collapse coverage, but often denied.

What covers termites?

Prevention and a pest-control contract.

The bottom line

Assume termite damage is on you — prevention is your real protection.

Related guides

• What Is NOT Covered by Homeowners Insurance?

Sources: Insurance Information Institute (iii.org); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; FEMA; state Departments of Insurance. General information, not insurance advice.