Ordinance or law: the causes of loss form excludes the increased cost of complying with a building law or ordinance during repair after a covered loss. The covered damage itself is still paid; only the extra cost of meeting today's code is excluded. California's standard fire policy in §2071 takes the same approach, allowing nothing for increased repair cost caused by an ordinance or law.

Earth movement: the exclusion applies to landslides, mine subsidence, earthquake and earth tremors caused by a volcanic eruption. Volcanic action is treated differently: lava flow, airborne volcanic blast and volcanic ash damage are covered. Candidates often assume anything volcanic is excluded.

Water: the special form's water exclusion applies to flood, tidal waves, overflow of bodies of water, and water that backs up from a sewer or drain. Water that escapes suddenly from a burst indoor pipe is not on that list, so it is covered. Sewer backup comes from a pipe too, but it stays excluded unless added by endorsement.

Most exclusions are not permanent. The CDI outline notes that most exclusions may be waived by paying an additional premium to add an endorsement, such as earthquake, sewer backup or ordinance or law coverage. The change must be made to the policy itself.