In recent years, the most active hurricane season was 2005, when 28 total named storms spawned. In 2020 alone, there were more than a thousand preliminary tornado reports made. These, along with other predefined events, are sometimes called Acts of God.
This definition can vary from one usage to another. So what does an Act of God in insurance mean? Continue reading to learn what this term means in insurance and other related information.
Basic Definition of âAct of Godâ in Insurance
By definition, an Act of God is any act of nature that couldnât have been foreseen or realistically avoided. To qualify, an act has to meet a specific set of criteria. This criteria includes:
- No person can be reasonably blamed for the event
- The event couldnât have been realistically avoided
- The event has to be a direct result of a natural disaster
Although these are basic, general guidelines, insuring against Acts of God isnât guaranteed. It can vary by insurance companies and individual policies. Most insurance policies have an Act of God clause that details precisely what qualifies per that policy.
What Isnât an Act of God?
If an event can be blamed on a person or could have reasonably been prevented, it isnât an Act of God. Remember that a natural disaster must also cause the event.
For example, wildfires are generally considered an Act of God. However, an accidental home fire isnât. These events can be blamed on poor craftsmanship, outdated wiring, failure to use proper safety measures when doing a task, or something else.
Another example is flooding. Flooding caused by natural disasters is generally considered an Act of God. However, flooding caused by a broken pipe, overflowing sewer, leaving the bathtub running, or similar reasons isnât an Act of God because it was caused by human fault.
Acts of God Examples
Numerous acts can fall under this definition. A few common examples include:
- Floods (including flash floods, tidal flooding, and overflowing rivers)
- Lightning storms
- Hail
- Tornadoes
- Hurricanes
- Earthquakes
- Volcanic eruptions
- Wildfires (especially those caused by lightning storms)
- Blizzards (including hail or chunks of ice created in these storms)
While these are all generally considered Acts of God, you shouldnât confuse this definition with a guarantee of coverage. Many homeowners are surprised to find some or all of these acts arenât covered under certain insurance policies.
Are You Insured Against These Events?
Many people fail to read their home or auto insurance policies in detail. If you didnât read every clause and fine print, you should probably do that as soon as possible. Why?
The Act of God clause found in most insurance policies restricts coverage. Most often, this is done in areas where certain natural disasters are common. People with beachfront homes in Florida, for example, likely have a clause that states hurricane damage and flooding isnât covered.
Those who live in California likely arenât covered against earthquake-related damage to their homes. Likewise, people in the American Midwestâs Tornado Alley probably arenât protected against tornado-related damage. This is why itâs essential you read through your insurance policies and fully understand your coverage before disaster strikes.
If you read your policy and donât fully understand your coverage, call the company. An insurance agent can help you determine what is or isnât covered by your specific policy.
Auto Insurance vs. Home Insurance Coverage
Thereâs a big difference in which Acts of God are covered by auto and home insurance policies. Auto insurance policies generally cover all major natural disasters. On the other hand, home insurance policies are significantly less likely to cover these events.
What To Do if You Arenât Insured Against Acts of God
If your insurance policy doesnât protect you against Acts of God, donât fret. People who live in areas prone to specific natural disasters often purchase supplementary insurance.
These supplementary insurances protect against specific types of damage. While they arenât financially worthwhile for everyone, they are if you live in a high-risk area. For example, people who live in an area with a high flood risk could benefit from flood insurance.
Finding Supplementary Insurance
If youâve never purchased supplementary coverage before, it can feel a little overwhelming to get started. The easiest way to begin is by typing a query into your favorite search engine, like Google. This should present you with a list of insurance companies that offer supplementary coverage in your area.
A few other vital things to keep in mind when finding supplementary insurance include:
- Always verify the coverage is offered in your area
- Look up online reviews to gauge a companyâs online reputation
- Read the policy before signing anything
- Ask an insurance agent if youâre confused about any terminology used in your policy
- Verify all exclusions, exemptions, and policy limits
This list isnât all-inclusive. However, by keeping the above in mind, you should be able to help seed through potential policy offers.
More Questions About an Act of God in Insurance?
An Act of God in insurance generally refers to a natural disaster. To qualify under this definition, an event canât potentially be blamed on a person, and you canât have reasonably avoided it. Many people are surprised to learn that their insurance policies donât cover some or all of these events.
Do you have more questions about what an Act of God in insurance is?
Check out our other blogs. Youâll find articles on natural disasters, insurance policies, and related topics to help you learn more on the subject.