Homeowner insurance policies are difficult to read and can sometimes be impossible to understand. They tend to be stuffed with industry lingo an average policyholder may not be familiar with. Having a comprehensive understanding of the ins and outs of your policy is the best way to ensure your home and belongings are adequately protected.
One of the legal terms you may have seen or heard is “act of God.” This vague and confusing phrase can be quite a head-scratcher. So, what exactly does it mean and how do you know if storm damage is an act of God or not?
Understanding What Constitutes an Act of God
In terms of insurance, an act of God is generally any event which is unpredictable and unpreventable. It describes an event which:
- Isn’t caused by a person
- Cannot be predicted, anticipated, or prepared for
- Cannot be controlled or prevented
- Occurs as a direct result of natural causes
Natural hazards and catastrophes such as storms, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and lightning. The occurrence of these events and the subsequent damage is out of human control. Whether or not storm damage to your home is considered an Act of God depends on two factors:
Your Home Being Located in a Particular Area
Certain acts of God might not be covered depending on where you live. For instance, some parts of the country have never been affected by hurricanes. Others have a history of hurricanes but not of strong damaging storms. Still, other areas have a storied history of hurricanes.
If your home is located in an area with a particularly high hurricane risk, you may need to look into a separate windstorm, hurricane, or flood insurance.
Your Insurance Policy’s Writing
All insurance companies have their own specific definitions of what constitutes an act of God and what’s included in their coverage. Most standard homeowners’ insurance policies provide coverage for wind, lightning, and hail. However, some do not provide coverage for earthquakes and floods even though these events would be considered acts of God.
Your roof may be covered if it is damaged by a windstorm, hailstorm, lightning, and wind-driven rain. The best way to know which natural events are covered and which ones are not is to review your homeowners’ insurance coverage, look for any exclusions, or ask for interpretation.
When a storm damages your roof, you can rely on the knowledgeable and experienced roofing technicians at Bill West Roofing. We can help you handle every aspect of the insurance claim process and get your roof fixed quickly. Our skilled roofers can also provide roof maintenance services to ensure your roof will stand up to minor storms. Get in touch with us to discuss your needs or schedule an inspection in Lee’s Summit.
