Which type of losses are usually not covered by homeowners insurance?

Homeowners insurance is designed to cover a wide range of risks associated with owning a home, but it typically excludes certain types of losses that are considered either preventable or the homeowner's responsibility.

Wear and tear and neglect, as the correct answer indicates, refer to the gradual deterioration of property and the lack of proper maintenance. Homeowners insurance is not intended to cover damages that arise because a homeowner failed to maintain their property appropriately or allowed it to deteriorate over time. For example, if a roof leaks due to age and lack of maintenance, that damage would not be covered. This principle exists to encourage homeowners to take care of their properties and to protect insurers from excessive claims based on expected normal wear.

In contrast, losses such as fire and theft are typically covered by homeowners insurance policies, as they can happen unexpectedly and are not due to the homeowner’s neglect or poor maintenance. Natural disasters may also have specific coverage, although there are certain exclusions depending on the type of disaster, such as floods or earthquakes, which often require separate policies. Lastly, damages caused by third parties may be covered under certain liability aspects of homeowners insurance, as they fall under unexpected events where the homeowner is not at fault.