When injuries or other accidents happen inside your home or on your property, you know that you’ll likely be covered under your homeowners insurance. But non-auto accidents away from home blur this understanding for many people. It's critical for homeowners to know how their coverage works when a disaster happens off their property and away from home, too.
Fortunately, homeowners insurance still provides coverage for a long list of potential non-auto accidents, even if they happen somewhere outside of your property. An independent insurance agent can help you get set up with all the off-premises coverage you need. But first, let’s take a look at off-premises non-auto accident coverage.
What Is Off-Premises Non-Auto Accident Coverage?
Off-premises non-auto accident coverage is the aspect of homeowners insurance that covers accidents not involving vehicles that occur away from the home. To cover incidents involving vehicles away from the home, you'd go through your auto insurance. But for injuries, property damage, and other accidents that happen away from home, you'll still go through your homeowners insurance.
If you've been asking, "What is non-auto accident liability coverage?" it's also known as off-premises non-auto accident coverage. This provides non-auto accident protection outside the home, meaning it'll cover incidents not involving vehicles.
Homeowners Insurance Coverage for Accidents Away from Home
Will my insurance cover non-auto accidents away from home? Fortunately, the answer is yes. Honest mishaps that result in injury to you or others and property damage are often covered up to your homeowners insurance policy's limits.
Does Homeowners Insurance Pay Medical Bills for Offsite Accidents?
Yes, your home policy's liability insurance away from home and personal injury away from home insurance can reimburse you for medical expenses and other costs related to third-party bodily injuries and personal property damage caused by you or your family. These incidents are even covered while you're away from home.
However, the same exclusions that apply to your coverage for disasters that occur within the home or on your property, such as malicious actions against others, still apply if this kind of incident happens away from home. So, be sure to review your home insurance policy with the help of your independent insurance agent to be familiar with what's excluded by your coverage, no matter where you are.
Does My Homeowners Insurance Policy Cover Off-Premises Non-Auto Accident Coverage?
Yes, homeowners insurance coverage extends to non-auto accidents that occur even away from the home. However, certain exclusions vary depending on your state. You’ll need to double-check your policy with the help of your independent insurance agent to find out exactly what’s covered and what’s not in your specific location.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Slip and Fall Accidents Away from Home?
Slips and falls are some of the most common accidents and causes of injuries, regardless of where you are. Luckily, your home insurance policy can cover these accidents, too. Your policy can provide reimbursement for medical bills and potential liability costs if you cause accidental harm to someone else while you're away from home.
What's Included in Off-Premises Non-Auto Accident Coverage?
All kinds of things can go wrong in the home, but these potential hazards don't stay confined within your property lines, either. The trick is learning what kinds of non-auto mishaps homeowners insurance provides coverage for away from the home.
So, when are off-premises accidents covered under a homeowners policy? The main non-auto types of accidents covered off-premises include:
- Injuries: If you’re involved in a non-auto accident that results in injuries to others, even away from the home, your homeowners insurance can cover medical expenses and legal fees if you get sued.
- Property damage: If you accidentally cause damage to someone else’s property in a way that doesn’t involve a vehicle, your homeowners insurance can cover expenses required to repair the damage, as well as potential legal fees if they file a lawsuit against you.
- Negligent acts: The only accidents homeowners insurance covers must be caused by your negligence. So, if you cause injury or property damage while you’re distracted, the incident will most likely be covered. As long as you don’t intend harm, you should be covered.
Your independent insurance agent can help you better understand all the coverage included in your non-auto accident liability when traveling away from home.
Which Accidents Aren't Covered by Home Insurance?
Your home insurance policy comes with a specific type of accident it won't cover, whether you're at home or away.
- Intentional harm: Malicious acts against others are never covered by home insurance. If you intend harm or property damage towards a third party, you'll be on the hook for covering any damages out of your own pocket, including for lawsuits.
Knowing that your homeowners policy provides coverage for medical fees, legal fees, and property damage repair for honest non-auto accidents, even off-premises, can help you understand when you can file claims if an incident occurs.
Why Would I Need Off-Premises Non-Auto Accident Coverage?
Because accidents can happen anywhere, anytime, this coverage is essential. Though accidents can't always be prevented, home insurance can step in to help reimburse some of the costs if the incident is covered. We’ll explore just a handful of covered scenarios.
These scenarios would be included under off-premises coverage:
- Sports-related injuries: Home insurance can provide reimbursement for injuries that occur during golf games, tennis matches, etc., including injuries or property damage caused by equipment like golf balls.
- Cooking-related illnesses: Accidental foodborne illnesses can be covered by home insurance if you bring a spoiled dish to someone else's gathering.
- Child bullying: If your child bullies another child and ends up causing bodily injury, homeowners insurance may provide coverage even though their actions may have been deliberate.
- Slander-related injuries: If you cause accidental harm to another person through false spoken words, potential legal fees may be covered.
- Non-bodily injury upsets: If you cause upset or harm other than bodily injury or property damage to someone, homeowners insurance can cover legal fees if they sue you. Non-business-related upsets caused by your negligence can be covered by your policy.
- Dog and other pet bites: If your pet dog, horse, snake, etc., bites or otherwise injures someone, you may be covered. Your insurance company may exclude coverage for specific dog breeds, however.
There are many ways we can accidentally cause injury or damage to others or their property, even without vehicles. Luckily, homeowners insurance provides coverage for a long list of potential mishaps and resulting costs.
Personal Accident Coverage Out of the Home
To get coverage that will reimburse you for the cost of your own injuries, whether in or out of the home, you'll need a health insurance policy. Homeowners insurance won't cover your personal medical bills, even if you're injured due to an accident. An independent insurance agent can help you find a health insurance policy at a great rate.
How Much Coverage Do I Need for Non-Auto Accidents Away from Home?
To get the right amount of coverage for accidents that occur away from home, you'll need to consider your unique risks. If you own a dog, play sports regularly, or have children, your risk of accidental injury or property damage to a third party away from your property is likely increased.
In such a case, you may need more home insurance liability coverage for incidents that occur off-premises. An independent insurance agent can help ensure your coverage limits are adequate.
Compare Homeowners Insurance Quotes with an Independent Insurance Agent
We all know how valuable your time is, so why spend it doing the hard work yourself? From homeowners insurance policies to special add-ons, independent insurance agents will help you determine what type of coverage is right for you.
Independent insurance agents stay on top of the insurance industry and all the latest discounts, so you don’t have to. That means they’ll help find the best coverage at the best price for you.
They’re not just there at the beginning, either. If disaster strikes, your agent will be there to help walk you through the claims process and ensure you get the benefits you’re entitled to.
