Does Home Insurance Cover War Damages in India?

Home Insurance and War: Is There Home Damage Cover Against War?

Home Insurance: India and Pakistan are not having the best of relations. Air strike threats are mentioned in the latest news reports. In turn, people who live near the border, in particular, are feeling anxious. Many homeowners wonder whether their home insurance policy will cover their home damage during the war.

Let’s review the opinions of specialists and insurance companies on this issue.

Does Home Insurance covers war damages?

It is clear, based on expert advice, that war-related damages are excluded. Most home insurance plans in India omit damage caused by war, military-conflict, foreign attack, or rebellion from their policies. These policies’ terms loosely define war. It includes:

• Declared or undeclared war
• Enemy attacks
• Civil war
• Rebellion
• Military uprising
• Forceful takeover of government

Fundamentally, warlike situations are excluded from the policy.

Why Are War-Related Claims Rejected?

The insurance companies are not adventurous when it comes to insuring events which may lead to tremendous unpredictable losses. Massive damage caused by war is difficult to estimate and insure; therefore it is risky to insurance companies. As such, such incidents are not covered by standard home insurance policies.

Can people in border areas secure war related news coverage?

Currently, no personalized war insurance is available for home or real estate property, but aviation and marine insurance contain a war-risk provision. Since aviation and maritime transport are subject to prospective conflict, war-risk insurance is available for purchase.

It is impossible to provide similar war-related coverage to homes under current regulations and practical limitations.

Are Terrorist Attacks Covered?

It is possible to buy up the cover for terrorism through most home insurance providers on offer. In case you get this extra with your purchase of the policy, you will be able to get aid in case your home is damaged from terrorism.

Nevertheless, this coverage may be rather complicated. When a military force is involved the damage can be termed as war as opposed to terrorism thus your claim is vulnerable to being rejected.

What arrangement do insurance policies make for political violence or riots?

There are some insurance firms that offer optional coverage in such occurrences as the political violence or civil unrest. This includes:

Riots

Vandalism

Arson (fire set by others)

In particular, these options are not provided in all policies.

In order to be compensated on these terms the policy holder must submit:

Police FIR

Photos of the damage

Repair cost estimate

Government-issued or verified accounts, in the press, that it happened.

The policyholder has to submit all the required evidence to back their claim.

‘How Can People Living in Border Regions Respond’?

Citizens living around borders should maintain a keen eye. Usually, coverage for destruction due to war or similar occurrences do not make it to home policies.

On the other hand, in the wake of war or disaster, the government may give a hand or give financial aid. In such cases:

– Protect all your valuable documents, bills, and pictures.

• Review your insurance policy carefully

• Contact your insurer to negotiate potential extra coverage benefits you may have.

• There is always a financial advisor who can come in very handy at such a situation to advise you on how to protect yourself further.

Also Read : Defence Stocks Rally After Operation Sindoor – HAL and Mazagon Dock Lead the Surge

Final Words

War is a serious threat but Indian home insurance policies are usually not structured so as to cover damages as a result of the war. It is possible to protect your assets beyond insurance by keeping up to date and taking protective measures. Be sure to understand the terms of your policy and think of additional protections.