Power outages can cause food in the refrigerator and freezer to spoil, which can be both inconvenient and catastrophic. Not all perishable items, such as vegetables, meat, and milk, may be covered by your home insurance policy. Home insurance may also cover spoiled food, depending on the type of business and power outage.
For instance, if your area is impacted by a blackout, some home insurance providers may pay up to zero. However, if you unintentionally turn off the power outage while remodeling your kitchen, home insurance usually won’t cover spoiled food.
Does Home Insurance Cover Spoiled Food after a Power Outage
Home insurance may cover spoiled food after a power outage resulting from hurricanes, lightning strikes, or other covered calamities. If your policy can cover the reason for the outage, most home insurance can reimburse up to $500 for spoiled food following a power outage.
Home insurance does not cover unexpected refrigerator breakdowns, resulting in spoiled food, as maintenance issues are not covered. The facts of your situation and the company may decide whether you can seek payment from your utility provider for food lost during a power outage.
What Is Food Spoilage Insurance
Your food spoilage insurance could be able to pay you back if a power outage results in the rotting of the food in your refrigerator. Insurance policies for homeowners, renters, and condominiums cover it as well. Furthermore, not all insurance is the same, and some may have specific restrictions or limitations that are outlined in your contract.
When Does Home Insurance Cover Spoiled Food
If the insured risk caused the power outage, your home insurance policy may cover refrigerated or frozen ruined food. Here are two scenarios in which home insurance would cover spoiled food:
- Your refrigerator gets fried by a power surge that occurs from lightning striking your home.
- A windstorm causes your home’s electricity to go out, including the refrigerator and blows down a tree in your yard.
Additionally, if an electrical grid collapse causes a power outage and food loss, your insurer may not cover the bill. In this case, it’s worthwhile to find out if your utility company can cover the loss. Furthermore, check with your utility company to determine whether they will pay you for food spoiling in cases when they are responsible for the outage.
When Does Home Insurance Not Cover Spoiled Food
A typical home insurance policy enumerates the specific risks that are not covered. For example, if a flood leads to a power outage, you will not be entitled to cover for spoiled or lost food on your property. These situations that cause power outages do not include any of the following:
- Earth movement in any form, including earthquakes.
- Carelessness, such as failing to pay your electricity bill and having your power turned off.
- Deterioration with time.
- Some reasons why a power surge occurs, such as shoddy installation.
- Equipment malfunction, such as an unplanned refrigerator break-in.
Your home insurance policy may cover equipment breakdown coverage to guard against electrical or mechanical malfunctions in appliances like refrigerators and washing machines. Food deterioration may be covered by this coverage in addition to replacement and repairs.
How Long Does Food Last After a Power Outage
Numerous factors, including weather, equipment malfunctions, and maintenance, can cause power outages. Power outages can lead to spoilage of perishable food items, making it unsafe to store them in refrigerators or freezers.
Food safety post-power outage is influenced by factors such as food type, storage temperature, and power outage duration. Here are a few broad recommendations.
Refrigerated perishable food
A closed refrigerator may keep food cold for approximately four hours during a power loss. But after that, dangerous bacterial growth might make perishable foods like meat, dairy, and leftovers unsafe to consume.
Food that has been frozen in a full or half freezer
A full freezer can keep food cold for 48 hours, while a half-full freezer can do the same for 24. To maintain cold air and extend the safe storage period during a power outage, keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed.
During a power outage, check your fridge and freezer for damaged food; discard any that has mildew, a strange odor, or an unusual consistency. To prevent foodborne infections, it is advisable to discard perishables when unsure about specific food types or power outage duration.
Limits and Deductibles
Remembering that coverage limits usually apply is key. For example, your home insurance policy may only cover $500 for freezer and refrigerated unit loss due to power outages, even if you have $700 worth of spoiled food. To safeguard the contents of freezers and refrigerated units, every reasonable precaution must be taken if an insured person knows of a power outage.
This coverage does not raise the liability cap that applies to the property damage. Furthermore, you will typically be required to pay a deductible before being reimbursed. Furthermore, you should check your insurance contract or contact your provider to learn about the specifics of your coverage, as limits and deductibles can vary.
How to File a Claim For Spoiled Food
When filing a claim for food loss, you must include proof and documents, just like you would for any other personal property claim. It is advisable to maintain the following facts close to hand.
- Bank records or invoices for the purchased meal.
- Pictures or videos displaying the spoilt food along with the losses caused by the damage.
- An estimate of the cost of the food, if you do not have all of the receipts.
Additionally, you can contact your home insurance provider by phone or on their website to submit a claim. Before settling a claim, a claims adjuster may visit your house to assess the extent of the damage and verify the true loss.
How to Prevent Spoiled Food During A Power Outage
Preventive measures are crucial to prevent food decay during power outages, even if insurance may provide financial relief post-outage. Here are some pointers:
- When there is a power outage, try to keep the freezer and refrigerator doors closed as much as possible to maintain the frigid temperature.
- Check the freezer and refrigerator’s inside temperatures with a thermometer after the electricity is back on.
- To stay cool during protracted power outages, think about investing in a backup generator or battery-operated chiller.
- Try to keep your food at a neighbor’s, friend’s, or relative’s place until the electricity is restored.
A standard home policy provides very little coverage for food spoilage caused by a power loss. Your home insurance may cover spoiled food caused by a lightning strike or power outage. To file a claim for spoiled food, take a photo of the food in the refrigerator before discarding it.