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What is an Act of God?
<lingo>An act of God refers to a natural disaster that no one could have prevented. From earthquakes to lightning storms to floods, the term encompasses a number of events that may occur for any number of reasons. Homeowners should note that it's the underlying cause that matters as opposed to the extent of the destruction. For example, if an old wire malfunctions and sparks a small fire, this is a preventable act that could have been solved by updating the home wiring. However, if the house catches on fire because a lightning bolt strikes the roof at just the right angle, then the destruction could potentially be a covered event.</lingo>
Act of God Explained
A home insurance policy may or may not include the phrase 'Act of God' on a policy. This is because not all acts of God are covered. Instead, a policy will reference specific events and their related coverage. A standard home insurance policy will typically compensate for wind, rain, and hail, while excluding floods and earthquakes. Homeowners are highly encouraged to dig into their policy to find out more about how each event will be treated. Some policies may provide partial coverage while excluding other common events entirely. If homeowners want to purchase additional coverage for floods or earthquakes, they can use riders to flesh out their coverage for different acts of God.
<twitter>An act of God refers to a natural disaster that no one could have prevented. From earthquakes to lightning storms to floods, the term encompasses a number of events that may occur for any number of reasons. </twitter>
Homeowners insurance will investigate each claim on a case-by-case basis if there is any confusion as to the wording of the policy. So if a neighbor's dog breaks free and causes damage to the property, this may not be covered as an act of God. In addition, homeowners are not protected from liability claims due to an act of God. For example, if a weather vane blows off the home during a rainstorm and breaks the neighbor's window, this would not be covered under an act of God clause. In this case, the homeowner needs to ensure their building is as secure as possible to prevent accidents that may cause bodily injury or property damage.
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