When it comes to homeowners insurance and power outages, coverage usually depends on your policy terms and the circumstances of the power outage.

In most cases, coverage for a power outage is based on the cause and location. For example, if a power outage is caused by a covered peril, like a fallen tree or lightning strike, and that peril happens on your property, then your damage may be covered.

But let’s say a lightning strike at your local utility company causes a blackout over a wide area that includes your house. The source of the power outage isn’t on your property, and that often means your home insurance doesn’t cover it. 

The same is generally true of power outages caused by perils not covered by your home insurance, like flooding. If a flood causes a power outage, you may only have a claim if you carry flood insurance.

Does homeowners insurance cover spoiled food from a power outage?

Home insurance often covers the cost of food spoiled by a power outage if the power outage was caused by a covered peril. For instance, say a tree on your property knocks out your power lines. You might be compensated for the items in your refrigerator that go bad in this situation. 

However, your claim may be denied if your food spoiled after a power outage caused by:

• Planned rolling brownouts.

• Your service being cut off for nonpayment.

• A failure of the electrical grid.

• Excluded events, such as earthquakes, flood, and normal wear and tear.

• Malfunctioning or poorly installed equipment.

Most insurance companies limit the amount of coverage they offer for spoiled, usually to around $500, plus you may be responsible for a deductible. But your insurer might not be your only option. Your power company may reimburse you for your spoiled food, so you might want to contact its customer service department.

Does home insurance cover hotel stays during power outages?

A power outage rarely makes a home unlivable, so it seldom triggers your homeowners policy’s loss of use coverage. Also called Coverage D, loss of use coverage pays for additional costs above your normal additional living expenses when your home is made uninhabitable by a covered peril. While a power outage may make your home less comfortable, it’s usually considered habitable during a blackout. 

Are electronics covered when damaged by a power outage or power surge?

As with some of our other examples, you may be able to file an insurance claim for your electronics if they’re damaged by an artificially generated electrical current, or power surge that’s caused by a covered peril. Imagine for instance, that a lightning strike causes a power surge that results in a blackout. Power surges can easily damage computers, televisions, and other plugged-in electronics, but you may be able to repair or replace them because lightning strikes are a covered peril.

Does home insurance cover frozen pipes if my power goes out?

Pipes damaged as the result of a power outage (including frozen lines) are often covered by home insurance as long as the property wasn’t vacant or unoccupied.

Having quality insurance and knowing what it covers is just the first step in protecting your home. The next is making sure you’re ready for the worst-case scenario – including preparing for power outages in your home.

What to do before a power outage

It’s important to develop a plan ahead of a blackout so that you aren’t left scrambling for the things you need. For example, you might want to:

• Put together a disaster kit. Your emergency preparedness kit might include items like flashlights, batteries, cash, first aid supplies, and an emergency radio.

• Get alternative charging methods for your electronics. Emergency radios, cell phone chargers, and flashlights are often solar-powered or use a hand crank. Another option for your phone is a battery pack that you keep charged and ready.

• Buy a gas-powered generator. You might be better off with a gas-powered generator for things that you can’t live without like medical devices. 

• Have “extras” on hand. Extra batteries seem pretty obvious, but you may also want bags of ice in case you need to use a cooler and extra gas for your generator.

• Keep a full tank of gas. Gas pumps require electricity, and you want to have enough gas in your car to get you to safety should the need arise. While you’re checking your fuel gauge, take a minute to learn how to use the manual release lever on your electric garage door.

• Sign up for local alerts. Your area may have a notification system that texts you with emergency information, like where you can find warming or cooling shelters.

What to do during a power outage

Power outages can be risky situations. They disrupt your routine and can leave you quite literally in the dark. Here are some ways you can reduce the chance of problems for your family and home:

• Choose battery-operated lights. Candlelight is lovely, but using a flashlight or lantern minimizes your risk of a fire.

• Turn off all outlets except for one light. This lessens the likelihood of you overloading your circuits and damaging electronics if a power surge runs through the house when the electricity goes back on.

• Move to lower levels. During hot summer months, you may be able to stay cool by hanging out in the lower levels of your house. If not, consider going to a cooling shelter or shopping mall that is powered by backup generators to avoid dangerous heat.

• Keep generators outside. This can limit fire risk and help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. The same goes for charcoal grills and camp stoves. And never use a gas stove to heat your home.

• Limit trips to the refrigerator. Most freezers can keep their temperature for around 48 hours, but your fridge may only keep food cold for about four hours. Limiting the number of times you open and close your refrigerator door can help keep food from spoiling.