Volcanic Eruption Coverage

You may have only ever seen volcanic eruptions in movies. In real life, the combination of lava, ash, smoke, and flames from volcanic eruptions can completely destroy homes, businesses, roads, vehicles, and wilderness within minutes. If you live near an active or dormant volcano, there is coverage available that could mean all the difference if the unexpected happens. Volcanic eruption endorsements may be an essential part of your home or business coverage.

Fortunately, a local independent insurance agent can help your home or business get protected by the right volcanic eruption coverage. They'll help you determine if your existing policy covers these disasters or if you need to add an endorsement. But first, here's a closer look at volcano insurance and when it's necessary.

What Is Volcanic Eruption Coverage?

Though some people may ask for it, "volcano insurance" is not an official insurance industry term or product. Instead, coverage for volcanic eruptions is included in many standard homeowners insurance, business insurance, and renters insurance policies. 

However, if you live or operate a business in an area that's close to an active or dormant volcano, your insurance policy might exclude coverage for volcano activity. In these instances, you may need to ask an independent insurance agent to help you add a volcanic eruption endorsement to your policy.

States with Active or Dormant Volcanoes

Known volcanoes exist in 17 states, many of which have not erupted in millions of years. Kilauea in Hawaii has been continually erupting for the last 30 years. 

The U.S. Geological Survey provides the latest information about known volcanoes. On occasion, the survey locates a new volcano based on seismic activity, changes in the heights of mountains, and a buildup of magma under the Earth’s surface in a particular part of the country.

The following states have active volcanoes:

States that have dormant or extinct volcanoes:

Alaska has the most volcanoes of all U.S. states, with a presence of active, dormant, and extinct volcanoes. If you live or operate a business in any of the above locations, ask your independent insurance agent to help you review your insurance policies to ensure they contain coverage for volcanic eruption. 

The Different Types of Volcanoes

There are three categories of volcanoes. Your state may have one or more of the following:

1. Active volcanoes: These volcanoes are currently erupting or have erupted in recent history.
2. Dormant volcanoes: These volcanoes have not erupted for hundreds or thousands of years but have the potential to erupt again sometime in the future. Mount St. Helens in Washington state is an example of a dormant volcano that erupted in 1980 and again in 2008 after thousands of years of dormancy.
3. Extinct volcanoes: These volcanoes have not erupted for years and show no signs of ever erupting again.

If your state has active or dormant volcanoes, it's especially important to ensure your insurance coverage includes volcanic eruption coverage. A local independent insurance agent can help.

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What's Covered by Volcanic Eruption Coverage?

Your home, renters, and business insurance policies typically cover property damage or destruction due to the following:

• Volcanic blast
• Airborne shockwaves
• Volcanic ash or dust
• Lava flow
• Falling objects, including rocks
• Fire and explosions resulting from volcanic eruptions
• Property damage, theft, and vandalism due to looting

If you have comprehensive coverage in your auto insurance policy, it typically covers:

• Damage to your vehicle by lava flow
• Direct and sudden damage to engines by volcanic ash or dust

Keep in mind that you must have purchased comprehensive car insurance to cover any damage due to a volcanic eruption. Your business insurance policy also covers incidents of business interruption due to temporary closures if you have an endorsement for earthquake damage and volcanic eruption.

What's Not Covered by Volcanic Eruption Coverage?

If your insurance policy includes volcanic eruption coverage, it's important to be aware that there are also typically a few exclusions. These often include:

• Land, shrub, tree, and lawn damage
• Damage to open shed contents
• Ash removal and cleanup
• Property damage by volcanic dust over time
• Volcanic effusion (i.e., volcanic water and mud)

Volcanic effusion damage is usually covered by flood insurance, which is a separate policy that can be added to home or business insurance. Your independent insurance agent can help you determine your specific insurance policy's exclusions when it comes to volcanoes.

How Much Does Volcanic Eruption Coverage Cost?

The cost of your volcanic eruption coverage can vary depending on many different factors, starting with whether coverage is included in your standard policy or if it must be added as an endorsement. If you have to add this coverage separately, its cost may be influenced by your location and the presence of active or dormant volcanoes there. Ask a local independent insurance agent to help you find affordable volcanic eruption coverage near you.

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An Independent Insurance Agent Can Help You Find Volcanic Eruption Coverage

When you're ready to protect your home, vehicle, or business against losses due to volcanic eruptions, no one's better equipped to help than independent insurance agents. A local independent insurance agent can help simplify this process by shopping multiple carriers for you and providing you with several volcanic eruption insurance quotes quickly. 

They'll find you the policy that provides a blend of the best coverage and cost. And down the road, your agent can even help file insurance claims for you and update your policy when necessary.