Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Food Spoilage After A Power Outage? – Yes, homeowners insurance can cover food spoilage after a power outage to a certain limit. There are also conditions attached to the level of coverage you get if ever you food gets spoiled in the vent of a power outage. It all the insurance company you work with and the amount of extent of the power outage.
Typically, homeowners insurance is capable of providing coverage for the loss of perishable food items in your refrigeration following an extended power outage. In most cases, this coverage is included as party of the personal property or additional living expenses coverage in your homeowners insurance policy.
Nevertheless, there are limits to what your homeowners insurance covers; this includes aspect of food spoilage. It is essential to review your policy in order to have a better understanding of the extent of coverage for food spoilage after a power outage.
When Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Food Spoilage?
A standard homeowners insurance policy covers food spoilage in the event of an extended power outage. If your food gets spoiled during a power outage and the loss of power is a covered peril under your policy, your insurance company will reimburse you for the loss.
Homeowners insurance will cover food spoilage if your house got stuck by a lightning and it results into a power surge that affects your freezer or refrigerator. Also, it covers when a windstorm causes a tree to fall down in your house, and that fall affects the power in your house.
Furthermore, if a tornado causes a hole in your roof and in that process rain falls. Peradventure, the rain causes a power outage and your food gets spoiled, your policy will reimburse you for the food loss.
Summarily, you could ask your utility company if they can reimburse you for the food spoilage if it is not covered under your homeowners insurance policy. There are few utility companies that cover food spoilage if they are responsible for the power outage.
When Does Homeowners Insurance Not Cover Food Spoilage?
While homeowners insurance offers coverage for a wide range of risk and peril, there are certain perils that excluded from the policy. Although, this policy provides coverage for food spoilage, you will not be reimbursed if the power outage was caused by a flood. Also, homeowners policy will not cover food spoilage if the power outage is caused by any of the following:
- Earthquakes.
- Wear and tear.
- Equipment breakdown
- Poor installation resulting in power surge.
- Negligence on your part.
To explain the last point, if your electricity goes off as a result of not paying your bills on time, your policy will likely not provide coverage for food spoilage.
How to File a Claim for Food Spoilage on Your Homeowners Insurance?
When submitting a claim for food spoilage on your homeowners insurance policy, you are required to provide proof to support your claim. This includes valid and authentic documentation of the food loss. Highlighted below are documents you will be asked to provide:
- A list and photos of the spoiled food.
- Receipts or banks testament of the food purchase.
- Estimated cost of the food (For those who do not have a receipt).
Most insurance companies allowpolicyholders to file a claim either online or through phone call, making get easier and faster to process the claim. Once your claim is approved, your insurer will send an adjuster who will investigate and evaluate the damage. The adjuster is saddled with the responsibility of checking the extent of the food spoilage to know how much you will be reimbursed.
Is There A Deductible For Food Spoilage?
How an insurance company is managed is different from the other, so there may be a slight difference in the way deductible works for food spoilage. Regardless of the difference, your homeowners insurance policy applies to any type of claim you file, which includes food spoilage.
Your claim is most likely not to be approved if your deductible is more than the price of the spoilt food. Insurance companies occasionally waive the deductible or provide a different, lower deductible for food-related losses.
The highest amount your insurance will pay out for food loss under food spoilage coverage is usually $500. But, some insurance companies may offer higher food spoilage coverage limits of up to $1,000 or more.
If you’re still unclear of how deductibles work for food spoilage, you can reach out to your insurance company for clarity. They are in the best position to explainhow it works and other alternatives you can explore.
FAQs
What types of food are covered?
A standard homeowners insurance policy typically cover spoilage of perishable food stored in the refrigerator. This include, frozen meals, meats, dairy, produce, etc. Please, note that, non-perishable canned or packed foods are not covered under homeowners policy.
Do I need to provide receipts for the spoiled food?
Yes, most insurance providers will ask for the documentation of the food spoilage when filing a claim. Some of the documents include receipts and photos of the spoiled food.
Will my insurance rate go up if I file a food spoilage claim?
Not really, filing a food spoilage claim does not affect your homeowners insurance rates neither will it lead to its increase. The only way your insurance rate can skyrocket is if you file claims for food spoilage frequently
