You may rightly view your insurance policy as a shield against major disasters, including fire, theft, or catastrophic weather events.

Yet, many policies, particularly comprehensive ones, contain provisions for surprisingly specific and often lesser-known incidents that go well beyond structural damage. Understanding these hidden clauses can save you significant money and stress when life throws an unexpected curveball. Here are five lesser-known coverages that might be tucked away in your homeowners insurance policy.

Damage caused by falling objects

While damage from a tree falling during a windstorm is generally covered, some homeowners may wonder about less common scenarios, like a drone or, however unlikely, a satellite. Many policies include protection against damage from falling objects. This coverage is often applied to events like debris falling off a passing vehicle, or more commonly, ice or heavy objects falling from a neighbor’s roof and damaging your property. It’s a broad category designed to cover a variety of items that could unexpectedly descend upon your home.

Food spoilage

Imagine a severe thunderstorm knocks out power for three days, turning the numerous contents of your refrigerator and freezer into warm, expensive messes. Most comprehensive policies include coverage for food that rots due to a prolonged power outage, provided the outage was caused by a covered peril (like a storm, not just a utility company error). While the coverage limits are often modest, often only a few hundred dollars, it’s a welcome relief should you need to replace an entire fridge full of pricey groceries.

Unauthorized credit card use

Going beyond household damage altogether, this is one of the more surprising non-property-related coverages found in many policies. If your wallet is stolen, your homeowners policy may provide coverage for unauthorized charges to your credit cards, debit cards, or bank accounts (up to a certain limit). This protection often acts as a secondary layer to the fraud protection offered by the credit card companies themselves, helping to cover any deductibles or residual losses not immediately absorbed by the financial institution.

Damage from vehicles and aircraft

If a rogue driver accidentally swerves off the road and crashes into your mailbox, fence, or even the corner of your home, your homeowners policy typically covers the repair costs under its structural protection. Similarly, while rare, if a piece of an aircraft were to impact any part of your property, most policies cover the resulting damage. While the at-fault party’s insurance should ultimately pay for the damage, your homeowners policy ensures that you can initiate repairs without delay.

Liability for injury outside your home

Homeowners insurance isn’t just about protecting your house; it’s also about protecting your liability. If you accidentally cause injury to someone outside your property—perhaps you trip someone in a store or your dog nips someone at the park—the personal liability portion of your homeowners policy may step in to cover legal fees and settlement costs. It’s a broader shield than many realize, as it travels with you and your family members wherever you go.

The takeaway here is simple: read your policy. Understanding the nuances of your homeowners insurance ensures you are leveraging its full value. When in doubt about a claim, always contact an insurance professional; the coverage you need might be available or already right there in the fine print.