Is it covered?

Common situations and the usual answer. Open one to see why, and what decides it on your own policy.

Home

A pipe bursts and floods my kitchen.Homeowners insurance · Renters insurance Usually covered

Sudden water from inside the house is usually covered.
Home, condo and renters policies cover sudden, accidental water damage from plumbing. The broken pipe itself usually isn't replaced. A frozen pipe in a house left unheated can be excluded.
Read more: Homeowners insurance · Renters insurance · Condo insurance
Heavy rain floods my basement.Flood insurance · Homeowners insurance Usually not covered

Water from outside isn't covered by a home policy.
Home policies exclude surface water and groundwater seeping in. A flood policy pays only if the event meets the official flood definition, and even then covers little in a basement. If a sump pump overflowed, a water backup coverage endorsement may pay. Rain coming in through a storm-damaged roof or wall is covered by your home policy.
Read more: Flood insurance · Homeowners insurance
Sewage backs up through a floor drain.Homeowners insurance It depends

Only if you added water backup coverage.
Standard policies exclude water that backs up through sewers or drains, or overflows a sump pump. A water backup coverage endorsement adds it, usually for a small extra premium.
Read more: Homeowners insurance
A slow leak under the sink caused mold over several months.Homeowners insurance Usually not covered

Slow, ongoing leaks and the mold they cause are excluded.
Policies cover sudden damage, not damage that builds up over time. Insurers expect you to notice and fix slow leaks. Some policies cover a little mold removal when it results from a covered sudden leak.
Read more: Homeowners insurance
A tree falls on my house in a storm.Homeowners insurance Usually covered

Damage to the house and removing the tree from it are covered.
Your own policy pays, whoever owned the tree. If a neighbor ignored a visibly dead tree, your insurer may try to recover from them. A tree that falls without hitting anything is usually only removed up to a small amount.
Read more: Homeowners insurance
My old roof leaks.Homeowners insurance Usually not covered

Wear and tear isn't covered.
If the roof leaks because of age, the insurer treats it as maintenance. Storm damage to a roof is covered, though some policies pay only the depreciated value for older roofs.
Read more: Homeowners insurance
Hail damages my roof.Homeowners insurance Usually covered

Hail is covered, minus your deductible.
In hail-prone states, there may be a separate wind and hail deductible, often a percentage of your dwelling limit. Some policies pay older roofs at actual cash value.
Read more: Homeowners insurance
My engagement ring is stolen.Homeowners insurance · Renters insurance It depends

Only up to a low limit, unless it's listed on your policy.
Jewelry theft is usually capped at around $1,500 in total. If the ring is listed as scheduled personal property, it's covered for its appraised value.
Read more: Homeowners insurance · Renters insurance
I lost my ring down the drain.Homeowners insurance Usually not covered

Simply losing something isn't a covered cause, unless it's scheduled.
Losing an item isn't one of the named perils. Items listed as scheduled personal property are usually covered for loss too.
Read more: Homeowners insurance
A power surge fries my TV.Homeowners insurance · Renters insurance It depends

It depends on what caused the surge.
Lightning damage is covered. A surge from the power company is a named peril, but the standard wording excludes damage to electronic parts, so many TVs and computers aren't covered. Some insurers add surge coverage.
Read more: Homeowners insurance · Renters insurance
An earthquake cracks my foundation.Earthquake insurance · Homeowners insurance Usually not covered

Earthquakes are excluded; you need a separate policy.
Ground movement is excluded from standard home policies. An earthquake policy or add-on covers it, with a high percentage deductible. Fire caused by an earthquake is covered by the home policy.
Read more: Earthquake insurance · Homeowners insurance
Wildfire smoke damages my home and belongings.Homeowners insurance · Renters insurance Usually covered

Fire and smoke are covered causes.
Fire and smoke are among the most basic covered perils. Extra living costs are covered if you have to leave, including when authorities order an evacuation because a covered cause like fire damaged nearby property, usually for up to two weeks.
Read more: Homeowners insurance · Renters insurance
Termites damage the floor joists.Homeowners insurance Usually not covered

Pests are excluded.
Damage from termites, rodents and other pests is treated as a maintenance issue.
Read more: Homeowners insurance
My dog bites a neighbor.Homeowners insurance · Renters insurance Usually covered

Personal liability usually covers it.
The liability part of your home or renters policy pays for the neighbor's injuries and your defense. Some insurers exclude certain breeds or dogs with a bite history, so check.
Read more: Homeowners insurance · Renters insurance
A guest slips on my steps and gets hurt.Homeowners insurance · Renters insurance Usually covered

Medical payments and liability cover this.
Medical payments to others pays small bills whoever was at fault. If the guest sues, personal liability pays your defense and damages up to the limit.
Read more: Homeowners insurance · Renters insurance · Condo insurance
My work laptop is stolen from my home.Homeowners insurance · Business owner's policy It depends

Not if it belongs to your employer; limited if it's your business's.
Your employer's property is for your employer's insurance. Your own business property is covered only up to a small limit, often $2,500 at home.
Read more: Homeowners insurance · Business owner's policy

Renting

My bathtub overflows and damages the apartment below.Renters insurance Usually covered

Your renters liability covers the neighbor's damage.
If you're responsible, the liability part of your renters policy pays for the damage to the other unit. Damage to the unit you rent is usually covered only if caused by fire, smoke or explosion.
Read more: Renters insurance
A fire in another unit ruins my things with smoke.Renters insurance Usually covered

Your renters policy covers your belongings.
Smoke and fire are covered causes. The landlord's policy won't replace your things.
Read more: Renters insurance
I have bedbugs.Renters insurance Usually not covered

Pests aren't covered.
Neither the treatment nor the ruined bedding is covered. Depending on your state and lease, the landlord may be responsible for treatment.
Read more: Renters insurance
My roommate's laptop is stolen from our apartment.Renters insurance Usually not covered

Not on your policy, unless they're named on it.
Renters policies cover you and relatives living with you. A roommate needs their own policy or to be added by name.
Read more: Renters insurance

Car

I hit a deer.Car insurance Usually covered

Covered by comprehensive, if you carry it.
Animal strikes are comprehensive claims. If you swerve and hit a tree instead, that's collision.
Read more: Car insurance
I cause a crash. Who pays for my car?Car insurance It depends

Only your collision coverage pays for your own car.
Your liability coverage pays for the other driver's car and injuries. Your car is covered only if you carry collision, minus the deductible.
Read more: Car insurance
An uninsured driver hits me.Car insurance It depends

Covered if you have uninsured motorist coverage.
Uninsured motorist coverage pays your injuries, and in some states your car. Otherwise, collision and your health insurance may pay.
Read more: Car insurance
A friend borrows my car and crashes.Car insurance Usually covered

Usually yes: insurance follows the car.
Your policy generally covers people driving with your permission. It pays first, and the claim can raise your premium. Regular drivers in your household need to be listed.
Read more: Car insurance
My bag is stolen from my car.Renters insurance · Homeowners insurance Usually covered

Your home or renters policy covers it, not car insurance.
Belongings are covered by home or renters insurance wherever they are. Damage to the car, like a broken window, goes to comprehensive.
Read more: Renters insurance · Homeowners insurance · Car insurance
My car is flooded in a storm.Car insurance Usually covered

Comprehensive covers flood damage to cars.
Flood insurance doesn't cover cars, but comprehensive on your auto policy does.
Read more: Car insurance
I crash while driving for a delivery or rideshare app.Car insurance It depends

Personal policies usually exclude it.
The app company's insurance covers some periods of a trip. A rideshare endorsement on your policy fills the gap.
Read more: Car insurance

Travel

I get sick before my trip and can't go.Travel insurance Usually covered

Covered by trip cancellation, with a doctor's note.
Your own illness, or a close family member's, is a standard covered reason. Conditions you already had may be excluded unless you got a pre-existing condition waiver.
Read more: Travel insurance
My flight is delayed overnight.Travel insurance Usually covered

Travel delay pays meals and a hotel after a waiting period.
Usually after 6 to 12 hours, up to a daily limit, for covered causes like weather or mechanical problems. Many credit cards include this if you paid with the card.
Read more: Travel insurance
I don't want to go anymore.Travel insurance Usually not covered

Only "cancel for any reason" covers this, partly.
Standard policies only refund cancellations for listed reasons. Cancel for any reason refunds 50 to 75% and must be bought early.
Read more: Travel insurance
The airline cancels my flight.Travel insurance It depends

The airline owes you a refund; insurance may cover the rest.
On flights to, from or within the US, airlines must refund cancelled flights in cash if you don't accept a new flight. Travel insurance can cover other prepaid costs, like hotels, if the cause is a covered reason.
Read more: Travel insurance
The airline loses my luggage.Travel insurance It depends

The airline pays first; insurance can top up.
Airlines owe compensation up to a set limit. Travel insurance pays for essentials while a bag is delayed and can cover losses above what the airline pays, often with caps on electronics and jewelry.
Read more: Travel insurance
I end up in hospital abroad.Travel insurance · Health insurance It depends

Travel medical covers it; your US health plan may not.
Many US health plans pay little outside the US, and Medicare usually pays nothing. Travel medical insurance covers emergency care and evacuation up to its limits.
Read more: Travel insurance · Health insurance

Health

I go to an emergency room outside my network.Health insurance Usually covered

Emergencies are covered at in-network prices.
Plans must cover emergency care at in-network cost-sharing, and federal law protects you from most surprise out-of-network bills for emergencies.
Read more: Health insurance
I see a specialist without a referral on an HMO.Health insurance Usually not covered

HMOs usually require a referral first.
Without a referral from your primary care doctor, an HMO may deny the claim. PPOs don't require referrals.
Read more: Health insurance
I have a condition I was treated for before I came to the US.Health insurance · Travel insurance Usually covered

ACA health plans can't exclude it.
Marketplace and employer plans can't refuse you or charge more because of a pre-existing condition. Short-term and travel medical plans can.
Read more: Health insurance · Travel insurance
I need a filling.Health insurance Usually not covered

Adult dental care needs a separate dental plan.
Most medical plans don't include adult dental care. Dental plans usually cover fillings partly.
Read more: Health insurance

Business

A customer slips in my shop.General liability · Business owner's policy Usually covered

General liability covers customer injuries.
The customer's medical bills and any claim, plus your defense, are covered by general liability or the liability part of a BOP.
Read more: General liability · Business owner's policy
An employee gets hurt at work.Workers' compensation Usually covered

Workers' comp covers it, not general liability.
Workers' compensation pays medical bills and part of lost wages, regardless of fault. General liability excludes employee injuries.
Read more: Workers' compensation
A client says my advice cost them money.Professional liability It depends

Professional liability covers this; general liability doesn't.
Financial harm from your work or advice is covered by professional liability (E&O). General liability only covers physical injury and property damage.
Read more: Professional liability
We wired money to a scammer after a fake invoice.Cyber insurance It depends

Only with social engineering fraud coverage.
Many cyber and crime policies exclude voluntary transfers unless you added social engineering coverage, often with a low limit.
Read more: Cyber insurance
We had to close by government order, with no damage.Business income insurance Usually not covered

Business income needs physical damage.
Business income coverage is triggered by direct physical loss to property. Closures without damage, such as most pandemic closures, weren't covered.
Read more: Business income insurance
My tools are stolen from my work van.Tools, equipment and goods in transit · Commercial auto It depends

Covered by an equipment (inland marine) policy.
Commercial auto covers the van, not what's in it. A contractor's equipment policy covers the tools, often only if the van was locked.
Read more: Tools, equipment and goods in transit · Commercial auto

"Usually" means under a typical standard policy. Your own policy's wording, endorsements and your state's rules can change the answer.