In which situation would coverage not apply under a homeowners policy?

Homeowners insurance policies are designed to provide coverage for a variety of personal property and liability exposures that individuals face in their homes. However, these policies typically exclude coverage for intentional acts of harm. This means that if an individual deliberately causes injury or damage, the homeowners policy will not provide liability coverage for those actions.

Intentional acts can include anything from willfully damaging someone's property to causing physical harm to another person. Insurance is fundamentally based on the principle of unforeseen damages or losses; therefore, activities that are undertaken with the intent to cause harm do not fall under the protective umbrella of a homeowners insurance policy. Insurers operate on the idea of risk pooling, and allowing coverage for intentional acts would undermine the entire risk-sharing model, leading to increased costs for all policyholders.

In contrast, other scenarios such as damage caused by a pet to a neighbor would be covered, as it is an unforeseen incident. Neglect in a rental property may also not be covered under a homeowners policy if it pertains to a property that is not owner-occupied. Unlisted properties may also not receive coverage, but in many cases, damage to listed personal property typically is. Therefore, the exclusion of intentional acts maintains the integrity and intended function of homeowners policies.