What type of loss would typically not be covered under a standard homeowners policy?

A standard homeowners policy generally provides coverage for a variety of risks, including theft and fire damage, which are commonly associated with personal property and structures. However, certain types of losses are explicitly excluded from coverage, one of which is land subsidence events like landslides.

Landslides are categorized as earth movement, which also includes events like earthquakes and sinkholes, and these are typically not covered under a standard homeowners policy. Homeowners insurance is designed primarily to protect against sudden and accidental occurrences, whereas landslides are often considered a gradual and predictable event resulting from various environmental factors. Because these risks pose a unique set of challenges and are more difficult to insure due to the potential for significant and widespread damage, insurers often exclude them from standard policies.

In contrast, losses due to stolen property, fire damage, or theft of personal items are usually covered, as these are more common and expected risks that homeowners face. Thus, the exclusion of landslides reflects the insurance industry's approach to managing risk and liability in relation to unpredictable natural events.