Understanding Homeowners Insurance Coverage for Volcanic Eruptions

Homeowners insurance typically doesn't cover damage from volcanic eruptions, but it might cover related events like earthquakes or landslides.

Volcanic eruptions can cause widespread destruction, but the insurance industry considers them a separate risk from other natural disasters like hurricanes or wildfires.

In the United States, for example, volcanic eruptions are considered a separate peril and may not be included in standard homeowners insurance policies.

Most standard homeowners insurance policies exclude volcanic eruptions, so you'll need to purchase a separate policy or rider to cover this type of risk.

Homeowners insurance typically covers damage from volcanic eruptions, but there are some exceptions. A standard home insurance policy will cover damage from volcanic eruptions, including lava flow.

However, it's essential to note that homeowners insurance doesn't cover damage caused by earthquakes, landslides, mudflow, or any other type of earth movement that isn't the volcanic eruption itself.

In some cases, homeowners insurance might not cover damage from volcanic eruptions in certain coastal areas, but this is not a universal rule.

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Most commercial property insurance policies and auto policies, on the other hand, will cover damage from volcanic eruptions and lava flow.

Here are some examples of what is covered by homeowners insurance and what is not:

Volcanic eruptions can cause a wide range of damage to your home and belongings. Blasts and shockwaves can occur during an eruption, causing projectile debris to be flung toward your home and damaging the siding, which your homeowners insurance policy will cover.

Most policies will protect your dwelling if it is in need of a repair or a rebuild as a result of the damage. Your personal belongings will also be covered if they are damaged, and this coverage amount depends on the limit you have set.

Lava flow can also cause significant damage to your home, but most policies will only cover damage that occurs while the lava is still in liquid form. Hardened lava damage is generally not covered.

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If ash or dust builds up on your property after a volcanic eruption and it causes damage to your home or belongings, your policy can help cover the cost of repairs. However, homes near active volcanoes generally have limited ash or dust removal coverage.

Here's a summary of the types of damage caused by volcanic eruptions that are typically covered by homeowners insurance:

Keep in mind that it's essential to report any damage from a lava flow right away, as the policy will not cover any hardened lava damage that occurs if you wait.

Homeowners insurance typically doesn't cover damage from earthquakes, landslides, mudflows, or other earth movements, regardless of whether they're caused by a volcanic eruption. This means you'd need to purchase separate earthquake insurance or an endorsement on your policy.

Flood damage is also not covered under a standard homeowners insurance policy, and you'd need to buy a separate flood insurance policy. If you're in an area at risk for flooding, consider purchasing a flood insurance policy to protect yourself from water damage.

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Some policies may cover the removal of ash, but others won't, so be sure to check with your insurance provider for specifics. Other exclusions include damage to trees, shrubs, lawns, and other outdoor property from lava flow.

Here's a list of exclusions to keep in mind:

Flood damage and earthquakes aren't covered in a standard homeowners insurance policy. You'd need to buy separate flood insurance or earthquake insurance on top of a home insurance policy.

Damage from landslides, resulting land tremors or earthquakes, and flooding are not covered – even if the direct result of a volcanic eruption. This means you'll need to consider supplemental policies for these types of disasters.

Some policies will cap claims payments to your coverage limit, but you can sometimes buy extended or guaranteed replacement cost coverage. This can help assure you have enough dwelling coverage after a disaster.

Here are some examples of supplemental policies you may want to consider:

If you own a business that's damaged from a volcanic eruption, business interruption coverage kicks in after a 72-hour waiting period. Be sure to check with your business insurance provider for specifics on exclusions.

If you're wondering what's excluded from homeowners insurance, let's take a closer look. Damage from landslides, resulting land tremors, earthquakes, and mudflows are not covered, even if they're directly related to a volcanic eruption.

Flood damage is also not covered under a typical homeowners insurance policy. You'll need to consider a flood insurance policy if you're in an area prone to flooding. Water damage is often excluded from property policies, so it's essential to have a separate policy to cover this risk.

Other exclusions include expenses incurred for preventive measures, such as evacuating your home before a volcanic eruption. Cost for ash removal may be covered for building structures or personal property contained in a building structure if the ash has caused accidental direct physical loss.

Most policies don't cover damage that occurs to homes or vehicles over time due to volcanic dust or ash. Wear and tear from any circumstance is generally not covered. If you're concerned about property loss from volcanic activity, it's best to consult with an insurance agent who's familiar with the risks in your area.

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Here's a summary of what's excluded from homeowners insurance:

If your house is damaged by a volcanic eruption, you'll need to file a claim with your insurance company. To do this, document all of the damage with photographs and refrain from throwing away anything that's damaged.

Taking measures to ensure your house is safe to return to is crucial. Remove any ash or dust from your roof and gutters before it accumulates and causes damage. Steer clear of any parts of your home that appear structurally unsound – you'll want a professional to assess the damage to ensure it's safe to return to.

Contact your insurance company to begin the claims process. They'll let you know what documents you need to fill out and will send an adjuster to your home to assess the damage and determine your claim settlement.

You can expect to receive multiple checks from your insurance company. One will be for the repairs to the structure of your home, one for additional living expenses if you can't live there during repairs, and one for your personal property.

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Here are the steps to follow when filing a claim for volcano damage:

If you want to stay informed about volcanic activity in your area, you can visit the U.S. Geological Survey's Volcano Hazards hub. They provide volcano activity notifications and an interactive map of all of the potentially active volcanoes in the U.S.