Outdoor trees, shrubs, and plants are insured for all of the following perils, except one. Pick the exception.

In the context of insurance coverage for outdoor trees, shrubs, and plants, the correct answer is that windstorm is generally not covered as a peril. While many standard home insurance policies provide coverage for various perils, specific exclusions can apply to certain types of outdoor plants.

Windstorms, particularly severe ones, can cause significant damage to trees and landscaping. However, many insurance policies exclude coverage for damage caused specifically by wind due to the nature of the risk and the frequency of such events, which makes it more difficult and costly for insurers to underwrite coverage for those specific risks.

In contrast, vandalism, riot, and lightning are typically covered because they align more with the common risks that homeowners face regarding damage to their property from external disruptive events. Vandalism and riot can result in reputational harm and damages for which policies are designed to provide compensation, while lightning strikes can directly cause fires or damage to property and are usually included in most insurance policies. Thus, the exception lies with windstorm, which is often excluded from coverage for outdoor landscaping elements.