From Crisis to Claim: Home Insurance Coverage for Gas Explosions

Pipes feed a steady stream of gas into your home, powering your furnace, water heater, stove, and fireplace. If those pipes don’t make solid connections with their targets, your home could fill with gas. Even a tiny ignition source (like a match) could be enough to cause a huge explosion. 

In 2023, this problem happened to a home in Florida. The house and nearby cars were damaged, and four people were injured. Investigators say a gas leak was to blame for the explosion.[1] 

Gas explosions are typically covered by homeowners insurance.[2] Understanding your policy is critical, especially if you have gas appliances. Ensure that you have enough coverage to protect you if something goes wrong. 

In rare cases, such as those involving neglect, your insurance company may not pay your gas explosion claim. These situations are very unusual, so they’re not typically problems the average homeowner must plan for. 

This chart can help you understand the gas explosion triggers that typically are and are not covered:

	Covered	Not Covered
Malfunctioning appliance	X
Neighbors doing something illegal	Sometimes	Sometimes
Neglecting routine maintenance		X

Explosions and Insurance: What Is & Isn’t Covered?

All gas explosions start with a leak and an ignition source. Your insurance company will investigate how the explosion likely happened and use that information to determine whether your claim should be paid or denied. 

Explosions That Are Typically Covered

A standard homeowners insurance policy lists explosions as covered perils.[2] In most cases, if your home suddenly fills with gas and ignites, your policy will cover the damage. 

The vast majority of gas-related explosions fall into this category. Leaks tend to happen suddenly, and the damage is catastrophic.[3] Home insurance policies are designed to protect people from problems just like this. 

Explosions That Aren’t Typically Covered 

Depending on the reason for the gas explosion, a homeowners insurance policy may not cover it. 

Explosions that typically result in denied claims stem from the following triggers:

• Illegal activities. While some policies may cover gas explosions resulting from illegal activities, this may be cause for denial for others.
• Negligence. If your insurance company can prove that the leak is somehow caused by poor maintenance on your part (such as DIY appliance installations, the claim could be denied.
• Vacancy. Many home insurance policies won’t cover damage that occurs after a house has been vacant for a specified period of time, usually at least 30 days.

What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover After an Explosion?

A standard homeowners insurance policy has four types of protection that could apply after a gas-related explosion.[4] 

1. Structure

A standard homeowners policy begins with coverage for your home itself. This part of your insurance covers repairs to your house, certain attached structures (such as a garage), and sometimes major household systems such as electrical and plumbing. Your plan may not cover all of the costs associated with rebuilding if the gas explosion flattens the structure, depending on your coverage limits. Reading and understanding your policy is crucial, so you’ll know if you have enough protection before an event occurs. 

2. Possessions

Your possessions are covered for between 50% and 70% of the payout rate for the structure of your home. If you have expensive items, such as collectibles or fine art, you may want to add a scheduled personal property coverage rider onto your homeowners plan.

3. Additional Living Expenses 

The additional living expenses (ALE) clause in your policy will cover costs associated with room and board if you live elsewhere after the gas explosion. ALE coverage can vary widely, so it’s an important aspect to check. Lisa Koosis, a former claims specialist, notes, “Even if you’re staying with friends or relatives, ALE coverage may pay them a small fee for your room and board, so be sure to ask your representative about the terms of your policy’s ALE coverage.”

4. Liability 

Gas explosions can damage more than just your home. If these issues are large enough, they can harm other people. In Miami, for example, a neighbor was forced to jump out of a window with her baby after a gas explosion.[6] If the problem hurts other people, your policy offers critical protection, paying for medical bills arising from injuries and the loss or damage of their personal property in the explosion.

Does Additional Coverage Help?

Some types of home damage — including storm flooding and mold — aren’t covered by homeowners insurance. People are encouraged to buy separate policies or riders to ensure they have protection when the worst happens. Gas explosions are different. 

Because a standard homeowners policy typically covers gas explosions, you’re not required to get another product for full protection. Your standard plan covers this peril in most cases. 

Review your homeowners policy and ensure you have enough protection to repair or replace your home after a gas explosion.

However, all homeowners should examine their policies carefully and ensure they’ve purchased enough protection. Because gas explosions can be so devastating, a bare-bones plan may not offer the full payouts you need to repair or replace your home. Increasing your coverage limits could be a smart way to stay safe if this major event occurs. 

How to File an Explosions Claim 

When a gas explosion happens, you must file a claim to trigger your homeowners insurance. Your agent or a company representative can start the process for you. It’s your responsibility to start the wheels turning. Lisa Koosis, a former claims specialist, adds, “Some insurers now offer online portals and convenient mobile apps so you can start the claim filing process any time of day or night.”

Take these steps to file a claim:

1. Notify your agent. Explain that your home has been damaged in an explosion. Ask for an ALE check if you’ve been asked to vacate your home. If you have to vacate your home, document your costs so you can get reimbursed.
2. Document the damage (if it’s safe). Claims typically run smoothly when homeowners use photos and videos to demonstrate what has been ruined. Explosions can leave your home too dangerous to enter. The authorities can tell you when it’s safe for you to take pictures. Don’t risk your life or health to gather evidence if it’s not safe.
3. Ask for official reports. The police department and fire department may conduct investigations (including case numbers). Ask for official copies of that paperwork, and share them with your insurance company. 
4. Submit a claim. Filing can be done in person at an agency office, over the phone, or via a website or mobile app.
5. Work with an adjuster. Your insurance adjuster will visit the site in person and determine how much has been lost. That visit should happen as soon as the site has been deemed safe by the authorities. 
6. Negotiate a settlement. After the adjuster’s visit, you’ll get a potential payout amount. If it seems fair, accept the check and schedule the required cleanup work. If you aren’t satisfied with the settlement amount, you may be able to negotiate for a higher rate. For effective negotiations, supply any additional documentation, including receipts for lost items, estimates of repair work from multiple contractors, and any relevant written statements. If the settlement amount differs substantially from what you’re expecting, you may also want to hire an independent adjuster to negotiate for you. Make sure to follow the company’s appeals process if the claim is denied.

An explosion claim process should be smooth and end with the money you need to make your family whole. If you disagree with the payout amount, speak with your agent and work on a resolution together. If you still can’t agree, you may need a lawyer to help you get an appropriate payment.

A Homeowner’s Guide to Preventing Explosions 

Prevention begins with knowing what’s inside your home. How many gas appliances do you have? Where does gas enter your home? Where is the gas meter?

Ensure that gas appliances, meters, and pipelines are part of your inspection when buying a new home.

If you have gas appliances, sniff the air regularly. Gas utilities typically add a harmless chemical to natural gas to give it a detectable odor so you can find leaks easily. If you smell sulfur or rotten eggs, you could have a gas leak.[7] Call 911 immediately and leave your home. Authorities will come to your home to investigate and turn off the gas. This simple step could help you prevent gas from building up and exploding. 

Anyone with gas appliances should get them inspected regularly too. If your insurance company can prove you’ve skipped this step, your claim may be denied. 

Prepare for Gas Explosion Claims 

All homeowners with gas hookups should read their policies carefully and ensure they have enough protection for their homes, possessions, and liabilities. Increasing your coverage could help you ensure a full recovery if something goes wrong.

Treating your gas appliances with caution helps too.[8] Catching (and fixing) small leaks quickly ensures you’re not allowing gas to build up enough to explode. Prevention steps help to avoid damage to your home and keep you and your family safe.