During the cool, crisp Autumn nights leading up to Halloween, there’s nothing quite like the heart-pounding excitement of venturing into a haunted house. But for many, the true horrors they’ll likely face as homeowners aren’t going to be cloaked in capes or riding on broomsticks. Instead, they’ll probably appear unexpectedly in the form of everyday perils that can turn a home sweet home into a house of financial horrors. This Halloween, we invite you to learn about some everyday risks that, without the right coverage, could leave you reeling from something truly terrifying — an uninsured loss. Read on … if you dare!
Things That Go Bump in the Night
As you shut the door and turn off the porch light, you hear it — strange rustling sounds coming from the attic. The door creaks as you open it, and you see hundreds of tiny yellow eyes peering at you from every dark corner — dozens of bats have taken up residence in your rafters! Is this the first sign that your home is turning into a house of Halloween horrors? Should you be expecting a visit from Count Dracula himself?
Before reaching for cloves of garlic, check your insurance coverage. Homeowners policies typically won’t protect against damage from pests and vermin, as infestations are seen as preventable with proper maintenance and inspections. However, if the bats broke a window from the outside to enter your attic, that might be covered. It’s wise to bring in an inspector to check regularly for all kinds of intruders, including mice, raccoons, termites, and, yes, even bats. The responsibility and cost to remove pests — and to repair any damage they cause — generally falls on the homeowner.
Paranormal Power Surges — or Something Else?
After your bone-chilling bat encounter, you wipe the sweat from your brow as you head downstairs, when suddenly an eerily strange sight stops you in your tracks. The living room lights are flickering — is this spooky specter bringing you a message from the great beyond?
Your poltergeist is no friendly ghost — faulty wiring can cause electrical fires. Don’t call the Ghostbusters if you have an encounter with flickering lights in your home; instead, bring in a qualified electrician to repair your wires and bring your electrical system up to code. Some homeowners insurance policies won’t cover damage resulting from aluminum or knob-and-tube wiring, so speak with a We Insure agent to review your policy and see if you’re adequately covered.
Freaky Fungus Among Us: The Mold Nightmare
As Halloween night wanes and the full moon shines cold through the window, you retreat to the sanctuary of your bedroom. You’re about to pull the covers over your head … but wait, what’s that oozing, dark spot on the wall? Is it a portal to another dimension? No — it’s mold, and it’s spreading fast.
The good news? Most homeowners policies will reimburse you for mold damage if it’s caused by a “covered peril” such as a leaky pipe and isn’t the result of neglect.
An Unwelcome Visitor
You get up to inspect the sinister slime when you hear footsteps coming closer. Your heart pounds as you see the shadow your intruder has cast on the wall — is that a claw? Trembling, you turn slowly and there stands your midnight visitor, unmistakable with razor-sharp blades attached to his glove, a tattered striped sweater and sinister eyes peering out from under his brown fedora. You let out a scream as the terrifying reality sets in — it’s Freddy Krueger himself! But then suddenly you bolt upright and find yourself … back in bed. It was all just a Halloween nightmare!
Whew! You’re safe and sound, but you decide to call your local We insure agent to review your homeowners coverage … just in case. Because you know a good insurance policy is a better defense on All Hallows’ Eve — and any other eve — than a garlic necklace.
Sources
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/does-home-insurance-cover-rat-182914951.html
https://moneytips.com/does-homeowners-insurance-cover-electrical-panel-replacement/
