Home insurance claims usually stem from wind, hail, water leaks, or fire, but sometimes they involve one-of-a-kind losses—like a $47,000 garden gnome collection. For that homeowner, the first step was to file a homeowners insurance claim. Whether such a claim pays often turns on policy details: outdoor “contents in the open” and outbuilding theft can carry lower sub-limits and security conditions, while specifically scheduling valuable items can remove sub-limits, broaden covered causes of loss, and sometimes waive the deductible. See consumer guidance from the Insurance Information Institute and NAIC for how personal property, sub-limits, and scheduling work.
Across the U.S., recent industry studies show homeowners claim frequency remains above pre‑2019 norms, while average claim severity has climbed by several tens of percent since 2019 due to higher construction and labor costs—pushing loss costs to near-record highs. Severe convective storms (wind, hail, tornado) are the primary driver of today’s home claim activity. In 2024, global insured catastrophe losses were about $118 billion, with U.S. severe convective storms contributing roughly $60–65 billion—more than half of the global total (Aon; corroborated by NOAA event tallies). By peril, fire and lightning have the highest average paid loss per claim—over $80,000—while wind/hail and water/freezing typically average around $12,000–$15,000 per claim; lightning alone produced about $1.27 billion of insured losses in 2023 with average lightning claim costs in the low‑$20,000s (Triple‑I/ISO; Triple‑I lightning). Trend context: see the LexisNexis U.S. Home Trends Report for 2019–2023 frequency/severity changes and the rising share of catastrophe-related claims.
The Craziest Home Insurance Claims
Home insurance typically covers damage to the structure, personal property, and liability to others—subject to exclusions, deductibles, and sub-limits. Most claims involve routine perils like wind, hail, or non‑weather water, but rare events do happen. In March 2024, for example, a piece of space station hardware confirmed by NASA tore through a Florida home; the family then sought compensation through federal channels (AP coverage). These unusual incidents sit alongside everyday home insurance claims, reminding us that policy details matter when the odd and the ordinary collide.
The Case of the Stolen Garden Gnomes
Garden gnomes and outdoor ornaments are usually covered as personal property under home insurance. However, many policies cap “contents in the open” and apply separate limits for items kept in sheds/garages; theft from outbuildings often requires evidence of forcible entry, and outdoor caps can be much lower than the main contents limit. Scheduling valuable items (a personal articles endorsement) can remove these sub‑limits and broaden covered perils (Triple‑I; NAIC; practical dispute points noted by the Financial Ombudsman Service and MoneyHelper).
David Baddeley, Director of Scottish Trust Deed, was surprised when a claim for stolen garden gnomes crossed his desk. “It wasn’t just a few gnomes,” said Baddeley. “We’re talking about 403 gnomes, each unique.”
The claim proved valid; the homeowner provided video evidence and receipts dating back decades, totaling $47,000. Documentation like photos and appraisals can be decisive for unusual collections, and scheduling high‑value outdoor art/ornaments helps avoid location‑based caps and security-condition disputes (NAIC; Triple‑I).
Hot New Gadget
Imagine relaxing by a warm fire, enjoying your favorite movie. This was the homeowner’s idea when he bought a 60‑inch flatscreen TV and hung it above his fireplace.
Chris Waltenbaugh, a payment processing expert at Payment Depot, recounts, “Whoops! The heat from a fireplace can melt a TV.” Fire, heat, and smoke are covered perils in standard policies, subject to the deductible and policy terms (Triple‑I), so the owner weighed repair costs against the deductible before deciding whether to file.
Fire and lightning claims occur relatively infrequently but post the highest average cost among common homeowners perils—over $80,000 per claim—because many are partial or total structure losses (Triple‑I/ISO). Lightning alone generated about $1.27 billion of insured losses in 2023 with average lightning claim costs in the low‑$20,000s (Triple‑I), and nationwide direct property damage from all U.S. fires was roughly $19–20 billion that year (NFPA).
When Unexpected Guests Drop-In
Uninvited guests are never welcome, and for Ken Johnson, it was a small aircraft that crashed into his living room through the roof.
Fortunately, no one was seriously injured, though the damage was extensive. Standard homeowners forms cover damage from falling objects (including aircraft and debris), subject to exclusions and deductibles (Triple‑I). Rare events can trigger unusual recovery paths—when NASA-confirmed space debris struck a Florida home in 2024, the property insurer would typically address immediate damage, then potential subrogation or federal compensation was pursued (AP).
Buried Treasure at the Beach
Matthew Dewen, director of FullTime Cover, recounts a client whose children buried expensive jewelry in the sand while on vacation. After an unsuccessful search, the client filed a claim and was awarded $75,000. Many policies impose special limits on jewelry—especially for theft—and limit covered causes of loss. Scheduling jewelry via a personal articles floater can provide broader “all‑risk” coverage and remove sub‑limits, often with no deductible (Triple‑I; NAIC).
Total Home Relocation
David Drab, owner of Strong Wall Construction, recalls a tornado that moved an entire house six feet while leaving it intact. Tornado and severe hail/wind activity have weighed heavily on homeowners claims: NOAA data show most U.S. billion‑dollar disasters in 2024 were severe storms, and preliminary tornado counts were well above the 1991–2020 average (NOAA; NOAA SPC). Aon estimates about $118B in global insured catastrophe losses in 2024, with U.S. severe convective storms contributing ~$60–65B (Aon). In response, many policies now use wind/hail or named‑storm percentage deductibles, apply ACV‑only settlements or roof surfacing schedules on older roofs, and even exclude cosmetic roof damage in some markets—terms that can significantly affect payouts (Triple‑I on wind/hail deductibles; policy‑term trends summarized in III and consumer resources on evolving exclusions). Mitigation such as IBHS FORTIFIED roofs and impact‑resistant shingles can reduce losses and may earn premium credits.
Hard Times in a Hot Tub
Liability coverage is crucial, as shown by a homeowner whose guest slipped near a hot tub and sued for injuries—medical bills and legal defense can escalate quickly. Industrywide, liability claim severity has been rising: personal auto bodily injury severity increased about 11% in 2024 (LexisNexis U.S. Auto Trends), commercial auto liability severities posted continued double‑digit growth (AM Best), and broader “social inflation” has pushed liability claims inflation above CPI with more frequent nuclear verdicts (Swiss Re Institute; Marathon Strategies). Homeowners should review liability limits, consider a personal umbrella, and check for any animal liability restrictions if pets are present (Triple‑I).
The Bottom Line
These wild home insurance claims underscore why a well‑structured homeowners policy and the right endorsements matter. Industry data show claim frequency above pre‑2019 baselines and higher average claim costs, with 2024 insured catastrophe losses around $118B globally and U.S. severe convective storms contributing ~$60–65B (LexisNexis Home Trends; Aon). On a per‑claim basis, fire/lightning remains the costliest homeowners peril (> $80,000 average) while wind/hail and water/freezing average about $12,000–$15,000 (Triple‑I/ISO). In 2025, expect tighter policy terms—wind/hail or named‑storm percentage deductibles, ACV settlements or roof schedules for older roofs, cosmetic roof damage limitations, and endorsement‑driven water coverages (e.g., sewer backup)—plus the continuing flood exclusion (separate NFIP/private flood policy required). Review your declarations and talk to your agent about scheduling valuable items, adding needed endorsements, and taking roof/fortification steps that can curb losses (Triple‑I; NAIC; IBHS).
Featured image by ferrantraite / Getty Images.
