Natural Disaster Insurance: Are you covered in Maryland?

If you are a homeowner in Maryland you need to know what natural disasters are and are not covered in your homeowner’s insurance policy, in the event your home and personal possessions are destroyed in a natural disaster. Read over your standard policy and if certain criteria are not listed, then you are not covered for that natural disaster. For example, you reside in Maryland so will be prone towards the high risk for flooding from hurricanes. No standard insurance policy will pay for flooding; you will have to have a flood policy active for at least 30 days before it will cover you and pay for damages.

Your basic homeowner’s policy will offer coverage for an extensive list of natural disasters that could cause damages to your property. Some of these covered situations include, but are not limited to fire, lightning, riots, explosions, hail, wind damage, smoke, falling objects, snow, weight of snow, ice and sleet.

If you do not find specifics listed in your policy then you are not covered, such as would be damages from earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, sink holes and landslides, war and nuclear mishaps. Flooding is another episodic event that may or may not be covered for water damage.

You need to read every word of your policy and go over the coverage that you feel will be needed in order to make you as secure as possible, keeping your valuable investments secure. You will need to talk with your independent agent and then make decisions with some professional guidance. However, never leave these decisions the responsibility of your agent. It is your right and responsibility to make sure that you are covered and specifics are spelled out in your individual policy as to what your insurance company will pay.