Things you didn’t know you could cover with home insurance

Over the years, there have been a number of tragic accidents involving aircraft crashing into the homes of people. In 2015, a light plane crashed into a residential area in Tokyo, killing 3 and setting fire to several houses. Not only did victims have to deal with the loss of their loved ones, they also had to face the cost of damages to their homes.

While such incidents are rare, home insurances do offer coverage should it ever occur. Damage from aircraft or any aerial devices, including aircraft debris or articles dropped from these sources can be claimed. If you’re living in an area that coincides with plane routes, coverage for aerial damage may just come in handy for you.

Imagine getting woken up by a most unpleasant stench from your toilet and discovering that sewage has been spilled all over the floor. Not only can it ruin your property, you may be unable to live in your home because of the unsanitary conditions. This could be due to an undependable sewer system, blockage in the city main, or even tree roots intruding into the sewer lines.

Sewer discharge is caused by water being pushed into homes through pipes from the drainage systems, and can be claimed under water damage in a home insurance policy. In fact, insurance claims for water damage are the second largest in the world. Other uncommon examples include flood damage and even water leakages caused by a roof collapse from a falling tree. But be sure to check because water damage claims can be tricky; most policies only cover sudden and accidental damage, but not gradual damage from wear and tear.

Many of us grew up watching silly animal cartoons such as Tom and Jerry. It was not uncommon to see those characters chasing one another all over the place and crashing into things. In reality, however, there are actual incidents of animals clattering into people’s homes. Be it a runaway cow or horse, these large animals can cause a significant amount of damage.

Many home insurances do offer coverage for such incidents, and homeowners can claim for damage from impact caused by horses or cattle. That said, coverage for animal damage typically do not extend to personal property. For example, if a wild animal invades your home, repair costs may be paid for any structural damage, but not for damage to your personal belongings stored inside.

When domestic disasters strike, the last thing we want is to be stranded. It’s painful enough seeing your home made uninhabitable by a burst water pipe or a gas fire. What more when you realise that you’re going to have to fork out serious cash to put yourself and your family up at a hotel or serviced apartment for an extended period of time.

Being able to claim for alternative accommodation can prove invaluable when you’re in a pinch, so it’s a good thing that some home insurance policies provide for this in the event that a person’s house is left uninhabitable due to an insured event. Some policies will also cover a loss of rent if the damaged property in question is one designated for rental. Win-win? Yep.

It’s a grisly thought, but accidents do happen. You could be sitting at home enjoying your evening one minute, and the next, find yourself at the mercy of an opportunistic burglar. Even though you are in the safety of your own home, do let your guard down fully and it is still good to be prepared for even the worst situation.

You might be aware that life insurance policies offer payouts in the event of death, but did you know that some home insurance policies also do the same? Amounts vary, of course, but certain policies will cover accidental death of you, your spouse or your family members in your home when caused by fire or thieves.

Home insurance plans can be more comprehensive than you initially thought. If you’ve got any questions about your home insurance, you can reach out to us here or find out more about MSIG Vietnam’s home insurance policies here.