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All glossary terms

What is Exclusion?

Researched by the ReadMyPolicy editorial teamLast reviewed: 2026-06-04

Quick answer

An exclusion is a cause of loss or type of property that the policy explicitly does not cover.

An exclusion is a cause of loss or type of property that the policy explicitly does not cover. Common exclusions include flood, earthquake, wear and tear, and intentional acts.

Examples

  • Standard homeowner policies exclude flood — you need a separate NFIP or private flood policy.
  • Auto policies exclude racing and commercial use.
  • Health plans may exclude elective cosmetic procedures.

Why this matters

ReadMyPolicy extracts every exclusion from your policy and flags the ones most likely to bite you based on your location and property type.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Exclusion?

An exclusion is a cause of loss or type of property that the policy explicitly does not cover. Common exclusions include flood, earthquake, wear and tear, and intentional acts.

When does Exclusion matter?

ReadMyPolicy extracts every exclusion from your policy and flags the ones most likely to bite you based on your location and property type.

What's an example of Exclusion?

Standard homeowner policies exclude flood — you need a separate NFIP or private flood policy. Auto policies exclude racing and commercial use. Health plans may exclude elective cosmetic procedures.

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