Are Landscaping Plants Covered By Homeowners Insurance?
Most homeowners today realize that most landscape maintenance is not covered by standard homeowners insurance policies. Landscaping, like lawn care and garden care, requires a significant investment of money and time. The first step in making sure your landscaping project is covered by standard homeowners insurance is to thoroughly research your policy coverage options. It is necessary to understand the difference between “standard” and “additional” coverage.
Standard homeowner’s policy coverage includes everything from trees and shrubbery to landscape fixtures such as pools, spas, hot tubs, and fountains. Some companies even offer coverage for your personal swimming pool. In addition, there are personal property policies that cover items in your home such as art collections and antiques. While many people opt for standard coverage, it is important to understand that there are also additional types of coverage available. For instance, some polices include insurance coverage for lost or damaged personal possessions. Landscape companies often tailor their services to provide additional coverage options.
It is important to realize that landscaping does not include the same things as garden maintenance. Many people mistakenly believe that when they are landscaping, they are also “fixing” their gardens. Unfortunately, this is not the case; therefore, standard insurance policies do not cover plants you might plant or water. Therefore, if you want to insure your plants, you will need to obtain separate insurance coverage.
When you are researching the different types of coverage options available, you may be concerned that you are not covered if you plant certain plants or take certain actions. This is often not the case; in fact, you can generally purchase extra coverage options from any company you choose. However, some companies will charge a fee for this extra service. Therefore, if you have concerns about whether or not your plants are covered, you should definitely make note of this before making your final decision.
Some homeowners insurance policies may also include additional coverage options for actions taken outside of the home. Plants and flowers are typically considered to be “outside” property, unless they are placed within the boundaries of your home. In such cases, the policy would consider such activity to be on your property. Therefore, there are additional coverage options available should you choose to landscaper in addition to extending your home. Landscaping is considered to be an enhancement to your home and therefore requires additional coverage.
If you decide to landscape your yard, there are some specific areas that require additional coverage. Any areas that are considered “highway” or “public place” must be insured against damage or loss. Therefore, there are insurance policies available to protect your home owners’ investment that may be acquired in the event of a mishap on public roads or properties. In fact, many homeowners’ insurance policies have a specific clause that specifically includes coverage for damage or loss resulting from landscaping projects.
In order to determine whether or not landscaping is covered by your homeowners insurance policy, you must contact your insurance agent. He or she will be able to provide you with a full list of items that are covered by your coverage. The best way to determine what is not covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy is to consult with an insurance professional who is skilled in the field of landscaping. You may want to enlist the help of a landscaping company, which is usually included in your homeowners’ insurance package. In addition, an experienced landscaping company can assist you in obtaining the best possible terms on your insurance policy.
One of the most important factors in determining whether or not landscaping is covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy is the risk factor involved in installing the landscaping and maintaining it. For instance, if you are planning to install a pond, it is likely that the coverage will include a portion of the cost associated with the project. If you plan to install a fire hydrant and build an outdoor fireplace, then the coverage for those elements will also be part of your coverage.