Is It Covered? (Ask Us About Any Loss Type)

• Is flood damage covered under my homeowners policy?

  Standard homeowners policies do not cover flood damage from rising water, storm surge, or overflow. Flood coverage requires a separate flood insurance policy, often through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private flood carrier. If you're near water or in a flood-prone area of Central New York or the Southern Tier, this is worth asking about directly.

• Is rodent or vermin damage covered under my homeowners policy?

  Damage caused by rodents, insects, or other vermin is generally excluded, since it's treated as a maintenance issue rather than a sudden loss. If rodents damage electrical wiring and that causes a fire, the resulting fire damage may be covered even though the initial rodent damage isn't. It's a nuanced area worth a direct conversation.

• Is mold damage covered under my homeowners policy?

  Mold coverage is limited in most standard policies and usually only applies if the mold resulted from a covered peril, like a burst pipe, rather than long-term moisture or humidity. Many carriers cap mold-related payouts at a specific dollar amount even when it is covered.

• Is sewer or drain backup covered under my homeowners policy?

  Not by default. Water or sewage backing up through a drain or sump pump failure is typically excluded unless you've added a water backup endorsement. This is one of the more common coverage gaps homeowners discover the hard way, and it's inexpensive to add.

• Is a mechanical breakdown covered under my auto policy?

  No. Standard auto insurance covers accidents, theft, and other sudden losses, not normal mechanical failure or wear and tear on your engine, transmission, or other components. That falls under a manufacturer's warranty or a separate mechanical breakdown/extended warranty product.

• Is normal wear and tear covered under my homeowners policy?

  No. Homeowners insurance covers sudden and accidental damage, not the gradual deterioration of a roof, siding, appliances, or systems over time. An aging roof that starts leaking from age, rather than from a storm, generally isn't a covered claim.

• Is a sinkhole covered under my homeowners policy?

  This varies significantly by carrier and state. Some policies include limited sinkhole or earth movement coverage, others exclude it entirely or offer it as an optional endorsement. This is a definite "call us" question rather than an assumption either way.

• Are ice dams and the damage they cause covered?

  Damage caused by ice dams, like water backing up under shingles and leaking into your home, is often covered under standard homeowners policies, since it's considered sudden water damage. Removal of the ice dam itself may have different treatment than the interior damage it caused, so it's worth confirming the specifics.

• Is identity theft covered under my homeowners policy?

  Not automatically, but many carriers offer identity theft or identity fraud expense coverage as an affordable endorsement, which reimburses costs like lost wages, legal fees, and time spent resolving fraudulent accounts.

• Is jewelry or other valuables theft covered under my homeowners policy?

  Standard policies include some coverage for jewelry, but usually with a low sub-limit, often a few thousand dollars total regardless of what was actually stolen. If you own an engagement ring, family heirlooms, or valuable collections, scheduling those items individually is the only way to insure them at full value.

• Is my home business equipment covered under my homeowners policy?

  Typically not, or only in very limited amounts. Home-based business equipment, inventory, and liability usually need a separate business owners policy or an endorsement added to your homeowners policy, especially if clients or employees visit your home.

• Is a dog bite covered under my homeowners policy?

  Often yes, under your liability coverage, but this depends heavily on your carrier's breed and bite history restrictions. Some carriers exclude certain breeds entirely or require a separate liability endorsement. Worth confirming directly if you own a dog, especially before an incident happens rather than after.

• Are frozen or burst pipes covered under my homeowners policy?

  Usually yes, if the damage is sudden, but many policies require that you took reasonable steps to prevent freezing, like maintaining heat in the home or shutting off water during extended vacancy. A pipe that bursts while your heat was off during a winter trip may be treated differently than one that bursts while the house was occupied and heated.