Acts of god and home insurance

'Act of God', 'force majeures', 'natural disasters' - they all mean the same thing: a major event caused by nature that's totally out of our control.

'It's not a fun thing to think about, but if disaster like this does strike, you might be able to claim on your home insurance.

Here's what to know - and how to check you're covered.

What is an act of God?

An act of god is basically any natural disaster that's out of our hands. Here are some of the most common acts of god:

• Floods
• Earthquakes
• Storms
• Hurricanes

What isn't considered an act of God?

No surprises here - if something could have been prevented, it probably won't count.

Here are a few examples:

• A fire starts because a pair of straighteners were left on
• A flood happens because the bath tap was left running
• A window smashes during windy weather because it was poorly installed

Do I need specialist act of God insurance?

No - insurers don't usually offer this type of policy. Your standard home insurance should already include cover for things like floods, storms and fires.

That said, cover can vary between providers and the level of cover you have. So if you're not sure, read your policy details or reach out to your insurer.

What's the difference between acts of God and natural disasters?

There isn't one - they're just different ways of saying the same thing.

Home insurance providers often use terms like act of God, natural disaster or force majeure to describe major, unexpected events caused by nature.

So, if you spot any of these in your policy documents, they're all referring to the same type of cover.

Does my home insurance cover natural disasters and acts of God?

Yes, here's some that most providers consider an act of God:

• Tornadoes
• Volcanic eruptions
• Floods
• Tsunamis
• Lightning
• Storm damage

If you've gone for combined buildings and contents insurance, that could include cover for:

• Alternative accommodation if your home isn't safe to live in
• Repairs to your property caused by the event
• Replacement of belongings that have been damaged

And if your home is damaged beyond repair due to an act of God, your insurance should also cover the cost of a full rebuild.

Just a heads-up: what's covered, and how much, depends on your insurer and the level of cover you've chosen. When comparing quotes with us, read the policy wording carefully so you know exactly what's included before you buy.

We'll also give you the option to pick and mix your cover - whether that's buildings insurance, contents insurance, or both rolled into one.