What Issues Can Make You Ineligible for Homeowner’s Insurance?

*Updated March 3rd, 2026

Homeowner insurance is a requirement if you finance your home, but did you know you might not be automatically eligible for home insurance? In many cases, getting homeowners coverage still requires approval. Just like other insurance policies, you have to get approved by an agent or insurer.

Insurance companies look at your likelihood of filing insurance claims to determine whether they want to insure you. The insurance provider may base this decision on factors like your credit history (often reflected in an insurance score) and your history of filing claims.

Assuming you have perfect credit and have never filed a claim before, there are still scenarios where you may struggle to get homeowners insurance. We take a look at the common reasons below—including potential insurance exclusions where insurance may not cover certain risks.

Homeowner Insurance and Insurance Policies: Insurance May Deny Coverage After Excessive Claims

The largest reason people get turned down for homeowner insurance is their claim history. If an insurance company sees that you file an “excessive claims” amount over a short period, they are unlikely to insure you. Many insurance companies consider claim frequency a signal of higher risk.

They want to insure homeowner applicants who maintain their home and don’t file a claim for every small issue. This doesn’t mean you can’t file claims on your homeowners policy, but it does mean you may want to save claims for something serious—especially if you’re trying to keep your insurance cost manageable and avoid being labeled high frequency.

Before you get excited because you’ve never filed a claim, this can also apply to the home itself. If you are buying an existing home and the previous owners filed excessive claims, it could count against you. Insurance policies may reflect the home’s loss history, and the insurer looks at the risk of the property. If there were repeated weather-related property damage events or theft, the home could be considered high-risk to insure.

Issues With the Home: When Insurance Companies Decide Insurance May Not Cover the Risk

Any time you apply for new home insurance, an agent or inspector may come out to look at the home. This may happen before you apply—or even after the company issues a home insurance policy. They’re looking for visible issues that increase the likelihood of a claim and make the home harder to insure.

If there are extensive issues that make the home unsafe or unlivable, the insurance company will pay attention—and the company may decline coverage or state that insurance may be issued only with limitations. In some cases, you could be denied homeowners insurance outright.

Other issues insurance companies often flag include:

• Damaged roofs (including a leaky roof)

• Damaged windows or doors

• Poorly constructed additions

• Damaged foundations

• Signs of chronic water damage or problems that weren’t repaired properly

These are just a few examples of “uninsurable” conditions. Each company has its own insurance requirements. Anything that could be a fire hazard—or increase the chance of major damage to your home—can make it harder to secure standard homeowners insurance coverage.

The Home’s Location: High-Risk Areas, Natural Disaster Exposure, and Insurance Exclusions

Sometimes a home’s location makes it difficult for insurance companies to insure the property. Even if you do get coverage, the policy may include restrictions, insurance exclusions, or limits where insurance may not cover certain events.

For example, if your home is located in an area prone to storm events or severe weather, the policy may not cover certain perils—or coverage may be offered only at a higher premium. Homes in areas prone to a natural disaster may also need a separate policy to fully protect the property.

If you’re in a flood-prone area, you may need flood insurance as a separate form of property insurance, because standard homeowners insurance policies often do not cover flood damage. The same can apply to earthquakes—many homeowners add earthquake insurance or earthquake coverage separately depending on where the home is located.

Crime can also affect eligibility. If the home is in a high-crime neighborhood, some insurers may avoid providing coverage because the risk of theft-related claims is higher. Again, the insurer is assessing how likely you are to file a claim based on property history and neighborhood risk.

Your Pets: Dog Breeds, Breed Restrictions, and Liability Gaps

The final issue an insurance company could have is the animals you have in your home. Some insurers consider certain dog breeds a higher liability risk. Because dog bite claims can be expensive, some insurance companies won’t insure homes with certain types of dogs—or they may require special underwriting.

For example, a home with a restricted breed may have a harder time securing coverage than a home with a low-risk dog.

If you are able to secure coverage despite your pet, it may come with a liability exclusion—meaning the policy may not cover certain claims tied to the animal. Make sure you’re honest with your insurance agent about the pets you have and ask what insurance coverage applies, what limitations exist, and what’s excluded.

Bonus “Common Reasons” People Miss: Coverage Add-Ons and What Standard Policies Don’t Include

Even when you have a standard homeowners policy, some important risks may require extra coverage. For example, sewer backups are a common and costly issue that many standard policies don’t include automatically. You may need to add sewer backup coverage (also called sewer backup coverage) if you want protection for certain types of water-related losses.

This is a good time to read your policy and confirm what’s covered by your policy—and what isn’t.

Final Thoughts for Any Homeowner Trying to Get Homeowners Insurance

Being ineligible for homeowner insurance can be frustrating. Do your homework before you buy a home, especially if you’re getting homeowners coverage for the first time.

At minimum:

• Be thoughtful about claim frequency to avoid excessive claims flags

• Ask sellers about prior insurance claims on the property

• Review the home’s condition early and make improvements when needed

• Confirm if you need separate coverage like flood insurance, earthquake coverage, or to add sewer backup coverage

These steps can help you find coverage and choose the right homeowners solution for your situation.