Home insurance does not protect against the loss, destruction or damage of covered items caused by natural wear and tear. For example, pipe damage will not be covered if it is proven that the damage arose from wear and tear or deterioration because of inadequate maintenance instead of an accident.
Unoccupancy is a common exclusion. In general, the exemption period for an unoccupied property is 30 days. The property is not insured after it is left unoccupied or vacant for more than 30 consecutive days (e.g. the policyholder is away from home for a long period of time or a property is left unoccupied for renovation). The unoccupancy period is subject to the terms of each policy.
Any loss or damage to property or liability to injury of any person that is caused directly or indirectly by a criminal, unlawful or malicious act is excluded from the common coverage of home insurance in general.
Loss, destruction or damage that existed before the policyholder applied for home insurance is excluded from coverage. For example, a home insurance policy may not cover any losses caused by water leakage that existed in a newly build property when the owner moved in. Property owners should first seek the assistance of a building inspector and ensure the defects are fixed before taking out a policy.
Other exclusions include illegal structures on a property or liability arising from its demolition, war, terrorism, nuclear radiation, pollution, or any unexplained loss or destruction or damage.
The product features and coverage of each home insurance policy are not entirely the same, so policyholders should compare the products of different insurers, and read the policy terms and exclusions carefully to select the most suitable insurance product for their situation.
The above information is for reference only. For the coverage, benefit limits and premium levels of a specific home insurance plan, please refer to the relevant policy terms.