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“Act of God” in Insurance: A Brief Overview

Dec 28, 2022

Homeowner Insurance

“Act of God” in Insurance: A Brief Overview

An Act of God in insurance terms generally refers to any disastrous event outside human control. For instance, if a heavy flood sweeps away buildings, it is considered an Act of God since there's little to nothing human beings could have done to prevent it. In other words, an Act of God is any peril that occurs out of natural causes. Therefore, while a fire emanating from a Christmas tree isn't considered an Act of God, one caused by a lightning strike would be. Here's a quick look at the term "Act of God" in insurance.

What Comprises an Act of God in Insurance?

Insurance companies define an Act of God as a peril that is unforeseeable and by all means unavoidable. Specifically, it is an event with the following characteristics:

  • No one can take the blame for the event.
  • There's no way anyone could have prevented the event.
  • The event resulted from natural causes.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Acts of God?

Many standard homeowners insurance policies cover damage from natural disasters, which means hurricanes, tornados, and lightning storms can be covered. Act of God events caused by floods or earthquakes are not covered under standard homeowners insurance policies. However, you can buy separate flood insurance to cover flood damages. You can also add earthquake coverage to your homeowners policy.

How Tompkins Insurance Agencies Can Help

Even though most homeowners insurance policies cover common Acts of God, it’s always a good idea to make sure your policy also has enough property insurance and others structures coverage. Contact the team at Tompkins Insurance Agencies for assistance in maximizing your homeowners insurance coverage. We can help assess your needs and offer an insurance plan that suits your budget and coverage needs.

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