 TITLE: What Is Not Covered by Homeowners Insurance? CONTENT: Optional Insurance Policies Not Covered by Homeowners Insurance\n---------------------------------------------------------------\nAlthough there are a few things a homeowners insurance policy doesn't cover, you can still get coverage for most of them—you'll just have to buy it separately. Additional policies you may want for your home include:\n*   **Flood insurance**: If your home is in a flood zone, your mortgage lender may insist on flood insurance. Even if flood insurance isn't required, purchasing it can help protect your home. Homeowners are five times as likely to be affected by a flood as by a fire, according to the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). Use FEMA's flood map to see if you're in a flood zone and, if so, whether FEMA categorizes your area as low, moderate or high risk. FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) offers flood insurance of up to $250,000 for structures and $100,000 for personal property. If you need more coverage, investigate non-NFIP flood insurance from a private insurer.\n*   **Earthquake insurance**: Earthquake insurance covers your dwelling, personal property, loss of use and the cost of rebuilding your home to current building code standards. It usually covers damage from landslides too; they're considered \"earth-moving\" events. Deductibles for earthquake insurance can be steep—up to 25% of the coverage limit—but if you live in earthquake country, it's better to have some coverage than nothing at all. Earthquake insurance is available from private insurance companies or, if you live in California, through the publicly managed California Earthquake Authority (CEA).\n*   **Sinkhole insurance**: Sinkholes differ from other perils because they not only damage your home but also destroy the land under it, and land isn't covered by homeowners insurance. Still, some states require insurers to offer sinkhole insurance as an endorsement or additional policy. Although the coverage is often very expensive, it can be worth the cost if sinkholes are common where you live.\n*   **Sewer, sump pump, septic tank or drain backup insurance**: This coverage can be purchased as a separate policy or an endorsement to your homeowners policy. The cost is generally reasonable. END