Hazard insurance is a type of insurance coverage that is a part of homeowners insurance. It offers protection for damages incurred on your property as a result of natural or man-made disasters, which include fires, storms, lightning, or other hazards.
Getting hazard insurance coverage means that you are covered for financial losses if repairs or construction are needed to fix the damages on your home. Since hazard insurance is an extension of a homeowners insurance policy, it cannot be purchased as a standalone insurance policy.
Hazard insurance covers protection for the structure of your home, such as the roof and walls. It also covers other structures that are a part of the structure, such as the shed, garage, or fencing.
If there is damage to the inside of the home or someone is injured in the home, you will not be able to receive compensation for financial losses because this insurance only covers the structure of the home. However, a comprehensive homeowners insurance policy as a whole will be able to provide protection for personal property, liability coverage, and medical expenses.
What Does Hazard Insurance Cover?
Hazard insurance offers protection for losses from different kinds of natural disasters. However, some natural disasters are not a part of homeowners insurance, including floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes. If you would like protection for these natural disasters, you may need to purchase a separate insurance policy.
There are two types of hazard insurance: named perils and open perils.
1. Named Perils Insurance
Named perils insurance will provide coverage if the cause of damage is one of the specific hazards listed in your insurance policy. They may include:
Hail
Fire or smoke
Snowstorms, rainstorms, or wind storms
Lightning
Falling objects
Explosions
Damage caused by a car or aircraft
Theft and vandalism
Volcanic eruptions
2. Open Perils Insurance
On the other hand, open perils insurance will cover all hazards except those specifically written on the insurance policy. The exceptions may include:
Earthquakes
Nuclear event
Rodents and insects
Neglect
Water damage
Vandalism to a home vacant for several days
How Do You Get Hazard Insurance?
When you purchase hazard insurance, a representative from the insurance company will calculate the value of your property, which will depend on several factors, such as the location, age of your home, and the current market value. It will help the insurance company decide on the premium amount that you will need to pay for the insurance policy.
If a natural disaster occurs and damages your property, you must submit an insurance claim to the insurance company. The insurance company will assess the value of the damage, and you will be able to receive the compensation necessary to cover the cost of repairing the damage.
Importance of Hazard Insurance When Getting a Mortgage
A mortgage lender may require you to get homeowners insurance if you are taking out a mortgage to purchase a property. In particular, the mortgage lender may require you to purchase this particular insurance because it will provide coverage to the property’s structure in case there will be damages from a natural disaster.
For mortgage lenders, it is important to obtain hazard insurance because property damage will decrease the value of the property. As a result, lenders want to make sure that the property owner has enough compensation to fix the damages before issuing a mortgage. Once you purchase the appropriate insurance policy, you may need to provide proof to your mortgage lender to confirm the coverage.
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