What is an “act of God” in homeowners insurance?

Standard home insurance covers ordinary bad weather, like windstorms, lightning and hail storms, as well as natural disasters, such as wildfires, hurricanes, and tornadoes. In the property insurance world, these natural hazards and catastrophes are referred to as an act of God, meaning they are out of our control. Homeowners insurance will protect you from many acts of God.

But some acts of God — namely floods and earthquakes — aren’t covered under a standard home insurance policy. You’ll need additional coverage for flood and quake damage to be covered against losses related to those disasters.

What is an act of God?

An “act of God” is an insurance phrase that refers to disasters that are outside of human control and can’t be avoided. Severe weather and natural disasters are considered acts of God, because they’re non-man made catastrophes that are impossible for humans to prevent. 

For example, a hurricane may be considered an act of God by an insurance company, whereas water damage from a burst pipe is not, since that’s a man-made issue (both instances may be covered by a homeowners policy, though).

Acts of God that are covered by homeowners insurance 

Here’s a quick glance at natural disasters and home insurance coverage based on a standard policy:

1. Hurricanes

Most homeowners insurance policies cover damage from hurricane winds and wind-driven rain. However, hurricane storm surge and ensuing flood damage are not covered in a standard policy. You’ll need to add separate flood insurance to supplement that gap in coverage.

If you live in an area with a particularly high hurricane risk, you may also need to pay a wind or hurricane deductible before your insurance company will pay out for wind or hurricane-related losses. Insurance companies in communities on the Gulf and Atlantic Coast are also known to exclude wind damage from coverage. If that’s the case, you’ll need to look into separate windstorm insurance.

2. Tornadoes

Homeowners insurance protects your home and personal belongings from wind damage caused by tornadoes. Your policy also covers hail, fallen tree damage and removal, and debris removal. Similar to hurricane losses, your insurer may also require you to pay a separate wind/hail deductible if your home is damaged by a tornado. Water damage from wind-driven rain during a tornado may also be covered in the event that your roof or windows are damaged and rainwater gets in. 

3. Lightning storms and strikes

A standard homeowners insurance policy will cover damage caused by lightning, including fire and power surges.

4. Wildfires

Homeowners insurance typically protects your property from fire and smoke damage from wildfires. However, if you live in a fire-prone region like California, you may have a difficult time getting coverage. Homeowners struggling to find coverage have a couple of options: surplus or excess lines carriers that specialize in high-risk properties, or a Fair Access to Insurance Requirements, or FAIR Plan, which is a high-risk insurance pool offered in most states.

5. Volcanic eruptions

Volcanic eruptions, airborne shockwaves, fire, ash, explosion, and lava flow are all covered by a standard home insurance policy.

But there are a few caveats to coverage: Ash is generally only covered if it causes direct physical loss to your personal property, and home insurance won’t help pay to remove ash that is scattered on your surrounding land, trees, and shrubs after an eruption. Volcanic effusion, which is water and mud damage caused by a volcano, would also not be covered (but it would be if you have flood insurance).

Acts of God that are not covered by homeowners insurance

Damage from certain natural disasters are covered by standard homeowners insurance, but not all. If you live in a region that’s prone to a particular act of God, like flooding and earthquakes, you’ll need to add separate flood and earthquake insurance to your policy to be fully covered.

Floods

Water damage is generally covered by homeowners insurance if it is sudden and accidental — like a pipe burst — but homeowners insurance won’t cover water damage from plumbing backups, gradual leaks, or flooding. You’ll need to purchase flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to cover your home from flood damage. If you’re mortgaging a home in a special flood hazard area, your lender may also require you to purchase flood insurance.

Earthquakes

Earthquakes are not covered under a standard home insurance policy, which means landslides, rockfalls, tsunamis, and damage from seismic shaking would also not be covered. For protection against quake damage, you’ll need to buy stand-alone earthquake insurance or add an earthquake endorsement to your policy.

How does homeowners insurance cover acts of God?

Homeowners insurance may cover property damage to your home and belongings if they’re damaged by an act of God. Below are some ways your coverage will protect you:

• Dwelling coverage: If the structure of your home is damaged or destroyed by a covered act of God, like a windstorm or lightning strike, dwelling coverage can help pay to repair or rebuild your home. 

• Other structures coverage: Other structures coverage would cover the cost of repairs to detached structures on your property, like a shed or gazebo, if they’re damaged by an act of God. 

• Personal property coverage: If your belongings are destroyed by an act of God, homeowners insurance may help pay to repair or replace them.

• Loss of use coverage: If an act of God damages your home to the point that it’s unsafe for you to live in, your policy may help pay for the cost of additional living expenses, like hotels, public transportation, or restaurant meals, while your home is being repaired.