Does Home Insurance Cover Damage From Power Outages?

Home insurance policies in Texas can be complex, especially when it comes to coverage for damage resulting from power outages. Generally, whether or not your home insurance covers such damage depends on the specifics of your policy and the cause of the outage.

Covered Perils and Power Outages

Most standard home insurance policies cover damage caused by specific perils, such as lightning strikes, windstorms or falling trees. If a power outage is directly caused by one of these covered perils, the resulting damage may be covered. For example, if a lightning strike leads to a power surge that harms your electronics, your insurance policy could help cover the costs of repair or replacement.

Food Spoilage

One common concern during power outages is food spoilage. Many home insurance policies include coverage for food spoilage if a covered peril causes the outage. However, it’s essential to check your policy details to understand the extent of this coverage.

Frozen Pipes

In Texas, power outages during winter storms can lead to frozen pipes, which can burst and cause significant water damage. Home insurance policies often cover this type of damage, provided the property is not vacant and the pipes are in good condition. Negligence, such as failing to maintain the property, can result in denied claims.

Loss of Use

Loss of use coverage, also known as additional living expenses coverage, may apply if your home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered peril. However, power outages alone rarely make a home uninhabitable, so this coverage is seldom triggered.

Learn More

Understanding your home insurance policy is crucial to knowing what is covered during a power outage. Contact Shoop Insurance Agency LLC today to help ensure you have the necessary coverage for potential power outage-related damages.

This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.