When you purchase homeowners insurance, you expect your property and valuables to be covered. But did you know that there are other things that your policy may cover?

When shopping for coverage, it is important to know exactly what you are getting. No matter what, you need to know where your money is going and what you are receiving in return.

Here are five things you may not know your home insurance covers.

1. A Dog Bite

What would happen if your dog would bite a neighbor? How about the mailman? Many people think they would be on the hook for any damages. However, if this happens on your property you may be happy to learn that you are covered.

Note: Your policy may not provide coverage for dog bites, so make sure you contact your agent to double check on this.

2. Lost Luggage

There is nothing worse than going on a trip, just to find that your luggage has been lost. If this happens, you are surely going to be upset. Fortunately, many home policies will reimburse you for any stolen or lost luggage. Typically, this is part of your “off premise coverage.”

With some policies this is automatically included. With others, you have to opt to add the coverage.

3. College Dorm Room Theft

This is something that many parents love to hear. Some policies will cover any items that are stolen from a child’s dorm room. This could include anything from a laptop computer to a television to expensive clothes.

Note: if this type of coverage is offered, there are usually stipulations. For example, off-campus apartments are not included. Along with this, your child may have to be a full-time student for the coverage to apply. Before your child heads back to college, call your agent to see if this is included in your coverage.

4. Bad Checks

If somebody writes you a bad check you may immediately chalk it up as a loss. But hold on. Did you know that many home policies include protection against bad checks and counterfeit cash? Policy limits are usually low, such as $500, but anything is better than nothing.

5. Landscaping

Like many homeowners, there is a good chance that you spend a lot of time and money on your landscaping. You want the outside of your home to look just as good as the inside.

Some home polices will cover damage to trees, plants, and your lawn. Of course, damage must be the result of a specific act such as fire, lightning, vandalism, or theft.

Does your home insurance offer the above coverage? If you are unsure, there is no better time than now to call your agent and discuss your policy. You may find out that you have more coverage than you previously believed.

Final Tip: If you don’t currently have the coverage listed above, you can always request it.

If nothing else, the coverage above will go a long way in putting your mind at ease.