10 Types of Damage Homeowners Insurance Doesn’t Cover in (2026)

Last Updates: 06-September-2026

Homeowners insurance can protect you from many unexpected losses, but standard home insurance policies still have coverage gaps that can lead to major repairs and serious expenses. Even the best coverage cannot compensate you for every type of damage, because damage exclusions and policy coverage depend on the details of your insurance policy.

Understanding what is covered and what isn’t covered can help homeowners avoid surprises when they need to fill in their insurance coverage for specific risks. In this guide, we’ll explain common home insurance exclusions so you can better understand your home insurance, policy, coverage and potential expenses before a costly repair becomes your problem. 

1. Damage Caused by Ground Movement

Standard home insurance coverage usually does not protect your home from ground movement such as earthquakes, landslides or sinkholes, which can create a serious coverage gap if you live in an area prone to earthquakes. In my experience, homeowners often assume these events are covered because they have broad home insurance, but your insurance policy may exclude them.

Some insurers may offer optional coverage through an add on, while others may require you to purchase a separate policy. For earthquake insurance, you may need a separate earthquake policy or a difference in conditions policy for additional protection. Coverage for landslides and coverage for mudflows can also vary and mudflows are treated differently from landslides under some policies.

Florida and Tennessee, for example, have different approaches to optional sinkhole protection, so it is worth asking an agent what your home insurance coverage does and does not automatically include and whether you should purchase a separate policy for other types of ground related damage.

2. Home Damage From Floods

Flood coverage is generally not part of a standard policy, so flooding from torrential rain, flash floods, overflowing rivers or rivers can leave your home and possessions without insurance protection for water damage. This is an important insurance policy exclusion, especially for coastal and inland homeowners who may face different flood risks after natural disasters such as Hurricane Helene.

Homeowners also confuse water damage coverage with Flood insurance: a washing machine leak, pipe bursts, burst pipes or a water pipe problem may be covered by Home Insurance Exclusions, but floods are usually not and sewer backups, backed up sewer lines, sump pump failure or overflowing sump pumps may require a water backup endorsement or another endorsement.

If you want your policy to pay for damage caused by actual flooding, you generally need separate coverage through Flood insurance, often available through the National Flood Insurance Program or private insurers, rather than assuming your existing insurance policy provides flood coverage.

3. Damage Caused by Mold

Mold damage is often excluded when it develops because of poor home maintenance, a long term leak or a failure to fix a known problem. However, your insurance policy may provide coverage when mold results from sudden and accidental water damage, such as a sudden plumbing leak or sewer backup, depending on the policy.

From my experience reviewing homeowners policies, the key is the root cause: if a hidden leak causes hidden water damage coverage to apply, the insurer may pay for covered repairs, but you generally need to take action right away to repair the plumbing and prevent further damage.

Some home insurers may offer a water backup endorsement or another add on for risks such as sump pump failure, while mold removal itself may have limited insurance coverage even when the original leak is covered.

4. Wear and Tear Damage 

Home insurance is not a cure all for general wear and tear, so insurance coverage usually will not cover damage caused by slow leaking pipes, worn out flooring, aging appliances or a roof that is slipping into disrepair.

Maintaining your house through basic maintenance, regular roof maintenance and tending to major systems can help you avoid large expenses and prevent small leaks from becoming bigger repairs. A policy may still protect you from sudden and accidental events such as storms, fires or burglaries, but it is not designed for replacing items simply because they are old or worn.

Homeowners sometimes expect their insurance to handle routine maintenance, but a home warranty may be more suitable for certain aging home components, while staying proactive about maintaining your property is the better way to protect against unnecessary expenses.

5. Home Damage From Infestations 

Home insurance generally does not provide coverage for infestations caused by termites, mice, bedbugs or other vermin, because this type of damage is usually treated as wear and tear or a maintenance issue.

Hidden termite damage, for example, may remain excluded even when it leads to serious structural damage or structural collapse, while mouse activity can damage a wire and potentially cause an electrical fire; however, fire itself may be covered damage if the policy covers it. From my experience, the best way to prevent pests is by maintaining your home, sealing entry points, controlling moisture and eliminating food sources before a covered problem develops.

If an insurer determines that the excluded damage resulted from neglect, it may not pay for repairs, although there can be occasional exceptions depending on the area, policy terms or an available add on. For serious termite damage or other pest problems, hiring a qualified pest control company can help with pest control, eliminating food sources and sealing areas where pests are entering the home.

6. Damage Caused by Nuclear Hazards

Home insurance typically does not provide coverage for property damage caused by a nuclear incident, nuclear accidents or another nuclear hazard. If your home is in an affected area after an accident involving nuclear power, your regular insurance may not cover related damages or evacuation costs.

This is an important exclusion because nuclear power companies generally have specialized liability coverage under federal law and the Price Anderson Act, which provides legal protection and establishes a system for handling claims after certain nuclear accidents. This means liability insurance and other forms of liability coverage may provide protection for certain losses, rather than your standard policy, but homeowners should check what protection applies to their situation.

7. Property Damage From Government Action 

Home insurance generally does not provide insurance coverage for property damage caused by government action or governmental action, such as when the government or public authorities condemns your home, confiscates your property or takes over your land.

If an affected home is subject to a land takeover or government confiscation, your insurer may not pay the replacement cost or other cost of replacement because it is not considered an insurer’s problem under most policies.

There can be an exception when authorities damage a home to prevent the spread of a fire; for example, if officials demolish part of a property to stop fire from spreading, the policy may cover the resulting damage depending on its terms. Otherwise, government action can affect the land, home and belongings without triggering standard coverage.

8. Aggressive Dogs and Home Damage 

Homeowners insurance may provide liability coverage for dog bites, dog related injuries and other injuries, but some insurance companies restrict or exclude aggressive dogs or a restricted breed from a homeowners policy.

Pit bulls and Rottweilers may be considered an aggressive breed or dangerous breed by some insurers, although a breed neutral home insurance company may consider the individual dog, its history of aggression and whether the dog has caused previous claims rather than judging the breed alone.

In 2025, the average claim amount for dog related liability claims was about $65,000, with total claims payments reaching $1.8 billion, showing why severe injuries can create high costs and why having sufficient coverage matters. If an insurer issues a coverage denial or does not provide policy approval for your dog, you may need a separate policy, such as pet liability insurance, to help protect against these risks.

9. Wind Damage in Hurricane Prone Areas 

In many parts of the U.S., homeowners insurance includes wind damage coverage, but homeowners along the Atlantic coasts and Gulf coasts may need separate wind insurance because of the higher hurricane risk. In some coastal area markets, 19 states and Washington, D.C. have special arrangements involving windstorm insurance, an insurance pool or a state run insurance pool when private insurers limit wind coverage.

Your standard homeowners insurance policy or home insurance policy may also have a wind deductible, named storm deductible or hurricane deductible, which can be a percentage of your insured value instead of a fixed dollar amount. For example, a 1% deductible on a $500,000 insured home value would mean paying the first $5,000 of claim costs, while a 5% deductible would be $25,000; some policies may use 2%, depending on the current policy and insurer.

Before a hurricane hits a high risk coastal area, check your policy coverage, wind damage limits and deductible percentage and ask whether an add on or separate coverage is needed for repairs, repair costs and broader insurance protection.

10. Losses Caused by Intentional Acts or Neglect 

Homeowners insurance generally will not provide insurance coverage for intentionally caused damage, a damage caused on purpose or other property damage resulting from an intentional act. If an insurer determination determines that the damage was prevented or caused damage was deliberately created, the insurer may issue a claim denial under the insurance policy and refuse policy coverage for the affected home.

For example, if you file a claim for damage caused on purpose, the insurer may determine that the loss was not covered and could treat the claim as insurance fraud or a fraudulent claim. Homeowners should never assume that intentionally creating damage will result in a payout, because preventable damage and deliberate losses can create serious coverage and legal problems.

Conclusion

Knowing what your homeowners insurance does not cover can help you avoid unexpected bills after a loss. Risks such as ground movement, flooding, mold, wear and tear, infestations, nuclear hazards, government action, aggressive dogs, wind damage and intentional acts or neglect may have limited or no coverage under a standard policy. Before you need to file a claim, review your insurance policy, understand its exclusions and deductibles and ask your insurer or agent whether additional coverage is available for risks that matter in your area. Taking these steps can help you find coverage gaps early and avoid serious financial surprises when your home needs repairs.

Disclaimer

This article is provided for general informational and research purposes only. Insurance coverage, exclusions, deductibles and policy terms can vary by insurer, location and individual policy. The examples and information discussed here should not be considered insurance, legal or financial advice and they do not guarantee that a particular loss will be covered. Always review the actual terms and conditions of your insurance policy and consider authoritative sources when evaluating your coverage options.

Note: Any prices, dollar amounts, percentages or other figures mentioned in this article are subject to change over time. Insurance rates, deductibles, claim amounts, coverage limits and other costs can vary based on the insurer, location, policy, market conditions and other factors. Readers should verify the latest figures from reliable and authoritative sources before making insurance related decisions.

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