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12 Things You May Be Surprised Home Insurance Covers

Your home insurance could help you out under some unique circumstances.

By Jenny Cohen , Edited by Chris Kissell

Updated Sept. 1, 2026

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Homeowners insurance is there to protect your finances in the event of a disaster. But how much does it really cover you?

Sure, you expect to use it in case after a major weather event or a fire. But it can also cover plenty of other things as part of important homeowner money moves you can use to protect your assets.

Check out this list of some surprising things that your homeowners insurance might cover.

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Damage from a falling satellite

Perhaps a plunging satellite is not one of the things that keeps you awake at night. Still, you might sleep a little easier knowing that insurance will cover damage from a falling satellite should such a freak event occur.

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Dog bites

Your dog may not be as friendly as you would expect. It's always possible that your pet could hurt a person or another animal.

Your homeowners insurance should cover issues related to your pets. It's important to talk to your carrier about coverage for dog bites, particularly if your pets have a previous history of biting, however.

Belongings when they are not in your home

Your property doesn't have to physically be in your home to be covered by your homeowners insurance.

Check your policy to see if it covers the replacement of lost, stolen, or damaged items — such as laptops, electronics, jewelry, and more—while you are away.

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Lightning strikes

Homeowners insurance typically covers weather events such as hurricanes or tornadoes that damage your home, and it can also cover lightning strikes.

A lightning strike may not cause severe damage to your home, but it could damage electronics and electrical systems, requiring repairs.

Headstones

Your policy might cover burial plots with headstones in the event that they are damaged and need to be repaired or replaced.

Living expenses when your home is damaged

Sometimes, damage can be so severe that it forces you out of your home. That can lead to extra expenses associated with living away from your house for an extended period.

Homeowners insurance can cover at least a portion of those additional expenses, such as rent for a place while your home is fixed or additional transportation costs.

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Damage from riots

It's an unusual occurrence, but a riot could damage your home. Check with your insurance carrier to see if your home is covered and by how much.

Lawsuits

Things can happen that can hurt others on your property, which could lead to an expensive lawsuit.

Your homeowners insurance might cover the cost of these damages. You can also add an umbrella policy for additional liability coverage.

Identity theft

Some homeowners policies include identity theft coverage. In other cases, you might need to pay a little extra for the coverage.

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Your child's possessions at college

If your child is moving out of the house and going away to college, check your homeowners policy to ensure their items are covered when they are not at home.

Your child's possessions are usually covered by your homeowners insurance if they live in a dorm, but you might want to double-check on coverage and perhaps get renters insurance if they live off-campus.

Food spoilage

Winter ice storms or summer thunderstorms could knock out power to your home, including your fridge.

Check your policy to see if it covers spoiled food in the event that you can't keep things cold due to a power outage in your home.

Stolen items from your car

It can be frustrating to have your car stolen from your driveway, but your car insurance should cover the car itself if you have comprehensive coverage.

On the other hand, your homeowners insurance will cover items that are stolen from your car, such as laptops, golf clubs, work tools, or other items.

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Bottom line

Homeowners insurance can be an important tool for protecting your possessions and your property itself.

Review all your insurance policies regularly to see if you can keep more cash in your pocket.

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