Most homeowners purchase a standard homeowners' insurance policyand rarely take the time to read it after they receive it fromtheir agent.

They may skim it to determine what kind of coverage exists iftheir contents are lost or stolen, or if their hot water heaterleaks, but most don’t give it a thorough review.

The Insurance InformationInstitute says that homeowners' insurance provides coverage forthe structure and contents (personal belongings), and additionalliving expenses if the home is unlivable because of a covereddisaster like a fire, as well as liability protection againstlawsuits, damage or injury family members or pets may cause toothers.

As a homeowner, you probably think you have a pretty good ideaof everything that your insurance policy covers. You might be(pleasantly) surprised to find that the policy actually covers morethan just the run-of-the-mill accidents.

Here are some examples of other coverage that may be availableunder your policy. Granted, every policy is different, so make sureto read your policy or talk with your broker to verify whatcoverage actually exists.

Related: Does a Homeowners’ policy cover aboathouse?

Grave markers can range in price from a few hundred dollarsto several thousand. (Photo: iStock)

Gravestones

You may not have purchased the gravestone, and it doesn’t have tobe on your property. If you are the primary caretaker of aheadstone and it is damaged or vandalized on your property or at acemetery, your policy may consider it personal property and offercoverage to replace it. There is usually a sub limit on thiscoverage, so check with your broker.

When students are away at college, their personal belongingsmay be covered by their parents' insurance whether they live in adorm room or an apartment. Proof of insurance may be required forthe landlord. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Dorm burglary

College-age children living in dorms away from home may havecoverage for their personal belongings under their parents’homeowners policy for theft and other covered causes of loss. Thiscoverage is usually a percentage of the homeowners' propertycoverage, and may have age limit restrictions for the student.

A number of falling objects are also covered by homeowners'insurance including trees. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Falling objects

Occasionally you hear about strange objects falling from the skyand crashing into people’s homes. These have included largechunks of ice and even plane tires. Fallingobjects are a covered peril no matter where it came from or what itis.

If a covered event causes the food in your refrigerator orfreezer to go bad, insurance may cover some of the replacementvalue. (Photo: iStock)

Spoiled food

If your refrigerator or freezer loses power due to a covered causeof loss, your insurance policy will pay for those spoiled steaksand rotten milk. Coverage for groceries is usually subject to alimit of $500 (or less). If your refrigerator or freezer is old orin disrepair and causes the spoilage, this is not covered.

Lost or stolen credit cards, or cards used withoutpermission may be covered, but certain restrictions usually apply.(Photo: iStock)

Unauthorized use of credit cards

Homeowners' insurance covers your belongings wherever you are inthe world. And as part of this policy, some insurers will alsoprovide up to $500 of coverage if your credit cards are usedwithout your authorization.

After the police and coroner leave a scene, the cost ofhaving a professional firm handle the clean up may be covered byinsurance. (Photo: iStock)

Clean-Up

Should someone in your home fall victim to murder, suicide or anunattended death, there will most likely be some sort of traumacleanup involved after the fact. This is another coverage that isnot guaranteed to be on your policy, so check with your broker ifyou think this might be a future concern.

Related: Forensic restoration claims: What you don’t knowcould kill you

Damage to home due to poor maintenance will not be coveredby insurance. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Things your policy won’t cover

Now that you know some of the bells and whistles offered by yourhomeowners policy, beware of the things that it won’t cover:

Wear and tear. Over time personal property andhome features wear out or become susceptible to damage. This damageis not covered.

Homeowners must purchase a separate flood policy to coverdamage from hurricanes or heavy rain storms. There are specificcoverage limits within the flood policy. (Photo: iStock)

Flood is excluded under every homeowners'policy. Coverage may only be obtained under a policy with National Flood Insurance Program or through a privateflood insurance carrier. When purchasing coverage to repair orrebuild your home, make sure purchase enough to cover the fullcost.

A separate earthquake policy must be purchased and rates arebased on the amount of risk for that area. (Photo:iStock)

Earthquake coverage is also excluded underhomeowners' insurance policies. This coverage must be purchased asan endorsement or under a difference in conditions or earthquakepolicy.

Most homeowners' insurance policies can be customized to cover awide variety of perils. Talk to your broker about your needs and tofind out what special coverage may be available.

Galen Hayes is president of ElSobrante, California-based HayesInsurance, a commercial insurance brokerage andrisk management firm. Email him at [email protected]. Opinionsexpressed in this article are his own.