How Home Insurance Covers Explosions

Explosions are a covered peril on most homeowners insurance policies.

If you experience a gas leak, propane grill explosion, or other type of explosion, then insurance should cover the cost of restoring your property to pre-loss condition.

Find out everything you need to know about how homeowners insurance covers explosions.

Home Insurance Covers Explosions

If you’ve experienced an explosion and have ordinary homeowners insurance, then your insurance should cover the cost of restoring your property to pre-loss condition after the explosion.

Homeowners insurance covers most ordinary explosions – like propane grill explosions, water heater explosions, and other common causes of explosions.

Typically, the only instances where homeowners insurance does not cover an explosion are when it’s an intentional explosion, an explosion linked to poor maintenance, a nuclear explosion, an explosion linked to illegal activities, or explosions from acts of war.

Common Causes of Home Explosions

Most homeowners insurance policies cover standard explosions.

Explosions might be more common than you think.

Some of the most common causes of explosions include:

• Propane leaks
• Incorrectly installed gas appliances
• Explosions caused by old gas pipes or lines
• Damage to your property from nearby explosions (say, at a neighboring factory)
• Explosions caused by earthquakes
• Explosions linked to water damage or flood damage

Homeowners insurance covers explosions that occur either inside or outside your home. An explosion may have been caused by damaged pipes within your home, for example – say, by damaged pipes or improper maintenance. Explosions could also occur because of a neighboring property, a natural disaster, or other causes.

A standard homeowners insurance policy excludes earthquake and flood damage. However, your policy should cover explosions linked to earthquakes and floods. If an earthquake caused a gas line to explode at your property, for example, then insurance could cover the resulting damage – even if general earthquake damage is not covered.

What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover After an Explosion?

Homeowners insurance covers explosions just like it covers other disasters and events.

The purpose of home insurance, after an explosion, is to make you whole again: homeowners insurance will cover the cost of restoring your property to pre-loss condition while also compensating you for any possessions damaged in the explosion.

Some of the major items covered by homeowners insurance after an explosion include:

• The cost of restoring your property to pre-loss condition. Dwelling coverage covers the cost of repairing or restoring the structure of your property.
• The cost of replacing or repairing personal property and possessions. If you have a replacement cost policy, your insurance covers the cost of replacing your possessions today. If you have an actual cash value policy, your insurance deducts depreciation from the cost of your possessions.
• Additional living expenses. If your explosion forces you to live away from your home, for example, then insurance usually covers the cost of staying in a hotel, eating meals at restaurants, and buying certain toiletries.
• Liability. A home explosion could cause damage to other people and property. You may be liable for covering these damages. Homeowners insurance typically covers the cost of restoring other property to pre-loss condition while also covering certain medical bills or other costs.

Overall, you buy homeowners insurance to cover the cost of making you whole again after a loss – like an explosion. If you experienced an explosion from a non-excluded cause, then your insurance should cover the cost of restoring your property, the cost of replacing your possessions, and certain additional living expenses.

Home Insurance Explosion Exclusions

Homeowners insurance covers most standard explosions. However, there are certain exclusions.

If the explosion occurred because of illegal activity, for example, then your insurance company could deny your claim.

Some of the most common homeowners insurance exclusions for explosions include:

Illegal Activity: Homeowners insurance rarely covers damage linked to illegal activity. If you were illegally using ordinance in your residential neighborhood, for example, or setting off fireworks where prohibited, then insurance could deny your explosion claim. Surprisingly, your insurer may even deny an explosion claim if your neighbor was engaging in illegal activity. Some insurers deny these claims, while others cover them.
Nuclear Hazards: Explosions linked to nuclear hazards – say, a neighboring nuclear power plant explosion – are not typically covered by homeowners insurance.
Intentional Explosion: Homeowners insurance covers unexpected events – like explosions linked to natural disasters. It doesn’t cover intentional acts. If you intentionally set an explosion in your basement to create a homeowners insurance claim, for example, then insurance will deny your claim.
Acts of War: A standard homeowners insurance policy does not cover damage linked to acts of war. If your home was damaged by an explosion linked to an act of war, then you may not receive compensation.
Explosions Caused by Neglect or Lack of Maintenance: Wear and tear is an expected part of owning a home. If your explosion was caused by neglect or lack of maintenance, then your homeowners insurance may deny your claim. If your gas line degraded over time, for example, and caused an explosion, then your insurance company may argue it was a maintenance issue, denying your claim.
Explosions in Vacant Homes: If your home has been vacant for more than 30 days, then your insurance may not cover it. In fact, homeowners insurance policies may exclude most damages that occur to a vacant home after 30 days.

FAQs About Homeowners Insurance Claims for Explosions

We get plenty of questions about homeowners insurance claims and how they cover explosions.

Here are some of the answers to our most frequently asked questions:

Q: Does homeowners insurance cover explosions?
A: Yes, a standard homeowners insurance policy covers explosions.

Q: Does homeowners insurance cover all explosions?
A: No, home insurance policies typically exclude explosions linked to nuclear activity, acts of war, intentional acts, and lack of maintenance.

Q: How do I file an explosion claim?
A: Contact your insurer to begin the insurance claim process. The insurance company sends an adjuster to the scene to document the damage, organize repairs, and negotiate a final settlement.

Q: How do I prevent explosions?
A: Check gas lines regularly to lower the risk of explosions. Or, hire a qualified expert to inspect your property. Verify older appliances – like grills and gas ovens – are working as they’re supposed to work. Smell the air for gas when turning on appliances. A rotten egg smell could indicate a gas leak.

How Public Adjusters Help with Explosion Claims

Explosion claims can be costly. Insurers may try to deny your claim, which could cost you tens of thousands of dollars.

If you’re dealing with a homeowners insurance dispute linked to an explosion, then a public adjuster may be able to help.

• Public adjusters help with explosion claims by:
• Analyzing the damage and ensuring you’re claiming everything you can possibly claim.
• Negotiating with your insurer on your behalf to maximize compensation.
• Overseeing repairs and restoration to ensure a smooth recovery.
• Fighting for their clients’ best interests.

In exchange for their services, public adjusters receive a pre-arranged cut of the final settlement – typically between 5% and 20%, depending on the adjuster’s experience.

Dealing with a tricky home explosion claim? ClaimsMate’s public adjusters can help. Our adjusters have the expertise needed to handle tricky explosion claims – and all other homeowners insurance claims.

Contact ClaimsMate for a no-cost consultation for your homeowners insurance explosion claim.

Stephanie Corona

Stephanie is a property insurance claim expert with over 20 years of experience working as an insurance adjuster, expert witness, appraiser and umpire. She is passionate about sharing her expertise, knowledge, tips and training to help both property owners and Public Adjusters in their pursuit of effectively managing claims and recovering the claim settlement they deserve after a loss.