What is an Insured Peril?

A peril is a source or cause of damage or loss. An insured peril is a source or cause of damage or loss which is covered by your insurance policy. With regard to a home insurance policy, the insured perils depend on the type of policy you have.

Perils Covered by a Basic Home Insurance Policy
(Good Protection)

A basic home insurance policy typically provides protection against 11 perils:

1. Theft.
2. Vandalism and malicious mischief.
3. Breakage of glass constituting part of the building.
4. Windstorm or hail.
5. Damage caused by vehicles.
6. Damage caused by aircraft.
7. Riot or civil commotion.
8. Explosion.
9. Fire or lightning.
10. Smoke.
11. Loss of property that was removed from premises endangered by fire or other perils.

Perils Covered by a Broad Home Insurance Policy
(Better Protection)

A broad home insurance policy typically provides protection against all 11 perils covered by a basic policy (as described above), plus an additional seven perils, which are described below:

1. Sudden and accidental damage caused by artificially generated currents to electrical devices, appliances, fixtures and wiring (excluding TV and radio tubes).
2. Sudden and accidental cracking, bulging, tearing apart, or burning of a steam or hot water heating system or of appliances for heating water.
3. Accidental discharge, leakage, or overflow of water or steam from within a plumbing, heating, or air conditioning system or domestic appliance.
4. Freezing of plumbing, heating and air conditioning systems and domestic appliances.
5. Weight of ice, snow and sleet.
6. Falling objects.
7. Collapse of buildings or part thereof.

Perils Covered by a Special Home Insurance Policy
(Even Better Protection)

A special home insurance policy has differing protection for your home and your contents. Your contents are protected by broad coverage (as described above), but your home is protected by comprehensive coverage (as described below).

Perils Covered by a Comprehensive Home Insurance Policy
(Best Protection)

A comprehensive home insurance policy offers the best level of protection, providing coverage for all perils except earthquake, flood, nuclear accident, war, and any other perils specified by your insurer. This type of home insurance policy offers the highest level of protection.

September 4, 2010