What’s Covered in a Power Outage?

Picture this: the power is out, the fridge is warm, and your patience is low. Outages strike fast, but the costs that follow can hit even faster. Spoiled food, fried electronics and unexpected repairs can all add up before you know it.

While home insurance can help you recover in the event of an outage, not every loss is covered the same way. So before the next storm rolls in, take a moment to understand what your policy protects and where you might need extra coverage.

Here’s what to expect, how to stay proactive, and why understanding your coverage matters.

What Does Your Policy Cover?

Your homeowners insurance policy usually protects appliances and related losses if they are damaged by a covered peril, including:

• Fire or lightning strikes
• Windstorm or hail
• Vandalism or theft
• Sudden power surges caused by a covered event

If your refrigerator, freezer or other major appliance is damaged by one of these events, your policy may pay for repair or replacement.

TIP: Some policies cover costs of refrigerated or frozen foods that spoil as a result of a covered peril. Limits and coverage can vary, so check with your trusted Rockingham Insurance agent about what's covered under your specific policy.

What Doesn't Your Policy Cover?

Power outages can happen for many reasons, and not all of them fall under your policy’s protection. Damage caused by the following is typically not covered by homeowners insurance:

• Normal wear and tear or aging
• Mechanical breakdown or faulty installation
• Neglect or lack of maintenance
• Power outages not linked to a covered peril

TIP: Reviewing your policy ahead of time helps prevent surprises when filing a claim.

What Should You Do If Your Power Goes Out?

If a power outage or appliance failure does happen, you should document it immediately:

• Take clear photos or videos of damaged appliances and spoiled food
• Keep receipts, model numbers, and purchase records
• Preserve damaged items until an adjuster can review

Proper documentation helps your insurer understand the loss and can speed up the claims process. But while you’re waiting for coverage confirmation, you can also minimize further damage by:

• Moving spoiled food to a cooler if the outage continues
• Unplugging electronics or appliances to prevent surge damage when power returns
• Cleaning or inspecting appliances to avoid worsening issues
• Starting to gather repair estimates from contractors or appliance repair services

TIP: Typically, your deductible is paid directly to the repair service. Getting estimates early can help the claims process move more quickly once coverage is confirmed.

Questions? We’re Here to Help!

Preparation makes all the difference after a power outage or appliance failure. If you have questions or need help filing a claim, your local Rockingham Insurance agent is just a phone call away. With our support, you can return to comfort, calm, and peace of mind faster - no matter what the storm leaves behind.