Does Your Home Insurance Policy Cover Landslides?

A landslide refers to the movement of a mass of rock, debris, or earth down a slope. These events can result from various factors, including heavy rainfall, earthquakes, or human activities. Homeowners frequently question whether their insurance policies provide protection against the substantial damage such natural occurrences can inflict.

Standard Homeowner’s Insurance and Landslides

A standard homeowner’s insurance policy covers common perils such as fire, theft, windstorms, hail, and vandalism. It offers financial protection against unforeseen events impacting your dwelling and personal belongings.

However, most standard homeowner’s insurance policies contain an “earth movement” exclusion. This exclusion states that damage caused directly or indirectly by the movement of the earth is not covered. Earth movement encompasses events like landslides, mudslides, sinkholes, and earthquakes.

If a landslide causes structural damage to your home, such as a cracked foundation or shifted walls, your standard policy will not cover the repair costs. While direct damage from earth movement is excluded, some policies may cover an “ensuing loss” if it stems from a covered peril. For instance, if a landslide triggers a gas line rupture leading to a fire, the fire damage might be covered, but the initial damage from the earth movement remains excluded.

Options for Landslide Insurance Coverage

Since standard homeowner’s policies generally exclude landslide damage, homeowners must explore separate coverage options. These specialized policies or endorsements fill gaps left by traditional insurance. Availability and cost vary significantly based on geographical location and property risks.

One common way to obtain coverage for earth movement is through an endorsement or rider added to your existing homeowner’s policy. These additions can extend coverage for events like landslides, though specific terms and limitations vary by insurer. This broadens protection against ground movement risks.

A Difference in Conditions (DIC) policy is a standalone policy designed to cover perils typically excluded from standard homeowner’s insurance. These include landslides, mudslides, earthquakes, and floods. DIC policies are separate contracts providing comprehensive coverage for these catastrophic events. They are often obtained through surplus lines insurers, which specialize in risks not covered by the standard market.

Earthquake insurance primarily focuses on seismic activity. It may extend to cover landslides specifically triggered by an earthquake. However, this coverage applies only when the landslide is a direct result of an earthquake, not for landslides caused by other factors. This type of policy does not serve as a general landslide insurance solution.

It is important to distinguish between a “landslide” and a “mudslide” or “mudflow” in the context of insurance. Mudflows are typically defined as a river of liquid mud, a flooding condition where liquid and flowing mud moves across normally dry land. They are covered under a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy. True landslides, involving the movement of dry rock or soil, are generally not covered by flood insurance or an NFIP policy.

Steps After a Landslide Event

If your property sustains damage from a landslide, taking systematic steps helps manage the situation and facilitate potential insurance claims. Prioritizing safety is paramount; ensure you and your family are in a secure location. Avoid re-entering the damaged area until authorities deem it safe. Remaining vigilant for additional earth movement is also important.

After ensuring safety, document all damage to your property. Include comprehensive photographs and videos of affected areas, both wide shots and close-ups, from multiple angles. Create a detailed written description of the damage, noting the date and time of the event. This evidence is crucial for supporting any insurance claims.

Promptly contact your insurance provider to report the incident. Provide your policy number, the date of the event, and a preliminary description of the damage. Your insurer will guide you through their claims process and may dispatch an adjuster to assess the loss.

Take reasonable steps to prevent further damage to your property if safe. This might involve temporary repairs, such as tarping a damaged roof or securing broken windows. Keep detailed records and receipts for any expenses incurred for these mitigation efforts, as these costs may be reimbursable under your policy.

Maintain meticulous records of all communications with your insurance company throughout the claims process. Include names of representatives, dates, and summaries of conversations. Keep copies of all submitted documents and correspondence received. Cooperate fully with the insurance adjuster, providing all requested information for a thorough evaluation of your claim.