Freaky things insurance might cover

4. Meteors, comets and space debris

If the thought of your home being leveled by a meteor or wayward space station keeps you awake at night, you'll be relieved (and maybe a bit surprised) to learn you'll probably be covered.

Wilson says it's rare for policies to specifically exclude this type of damage. It's generally covered under the "falling objects" heading.

5. Stampeding animals

"Most homeowners policies cover damage to the dwelling caused by animals you don't own or keep," Wilson says. Keep in mind that some policies distinguish between "domestic" animals and wild animals. So though you're OK if a herd of stampeding wildebeests charges your bilevel, you might have a problem if, say, an abnormally aggressive pack of kittens somehow destroys your home.

While we're on the subject of animals, keep in mind that owning certain types of pets might make it tougher for you to get coverage in the first place.

"Increasingly, insurance companies are shying away from insuring households with dogs, or at least certain breeds of dogs, because of the liability exposure," Wilson says. (See "Your dog's bite could bankrupt you.")

6. Landslides

"Most homeowners policies, even if endorsed with earthquake coverage, won't cover landslides," Wilson says.

"If you have that exposure, it is most commonly provided by a special 'DIC' policy known as difference- in-conditions coverage."

7. Sinkhole collapses

This may or may not be covered, depending upon whether your insurance company lumps it in with the general category of "earth movement."

Check with your agent about this risk.

And a few more . .

Wilson provides examples of other claims that have been covered by open-perils policies:

• Windstorm damage to watercraft not inside a fully enclosed building (this is a common source of claims involving boats at marinas).

• Waterbed bursts.

• Aquarium breaks.

• Skunk discharges inside homes.

• A murder in a house, with significant damage from bodily fluids.

This article was reported by Bobbi Dempsey for Bankrate.com.

Updated July 14, 2009

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