What If? Frequently Asked Questions About Power Outages

Coverage for food spoilage due to a power outage is limited in a standard homeowners policy. Your policy may cover spoiled food due to a power loss caused by damage to certain off-premises electrical equipment or if your refrigerator was directly damaged such as by a lightning strike or a power surge.

If you want to make a claim for spoiled food, it’s a good idea to take pictures of the food in the refrigerator to support your claim before you discard the contents.

Coverage for damaged appliances due to a power outage is limited in a standard homeowners policy. Your policy may cover damages to appliances as the result of a power loss caused by damage to certain off-premises electrical equipment or if your refrigerator was directly damaged such as by a lightning strike or a power surge. You may want to take into consideration the amount of your deductible before making a claim.

Many medical products need to be kept frozen or refrigerated for proper storage. Such products may be covered for a limited amount under your homeowners policy.  

Protect yourself and your medications in advance by talking with your medical provider about an alternative plan for refrigerating medications and guidance on how long medications can be stored at higher temperatures.

Homeowners policies will generally not pay for the purchase of a generator for the purpose of preventing food spoilage or in anticipation of a power outage.

While most, but not all, homeowners policies provide Additional Living Expense coverage, in order for this coverage to apply there must be a covered loss that damages your home and makes it not fit to live in. Typically, a loss of power will not result in your home being unfit to live in.

Whether coverage is afforded for costs incurred by you to stay at a hotel depends on the circumstances of the storm and your policy. Coverage may not be determined until after the storm has passed.

It is important to use your best judgment in the event of an impending storm to take action necessary to keep you and your family safe. Always follow emergency information and alerts. If you live in a mandatory evacuation area and officials tell you to evacuate, do so immediately.

Typically, coverage will apply if there is an action taken by a civil authority that has prohibited you from using the premises, such as an evacuation order. Additionally, the storm must cause damage to neighboring premises as specified in the policy.  

It is important to use your best judgment in the event of an impending storm to take appropriate action to keep you and your family safe. Always follow emergency information and alerts. If you live in a mandatory evacuation area and officials tell you to evacuate, do so immediately.