Homeowners insurance normally only covers the replacement of damaged siding and does not cover siding replacement on other portions of the house. As a result, homeowners may end up with new siding that looks different from the rest of the house. If this happens to you, look over your policy to see if there’s anything in there about what happens if there’s a mismatch. Many policies exclude siding mismatches, although others will cover siding for other portions of the house if you can show that the mismatch reduces the home’s value.
Does home insurance cover wind damage to siding?
Most homeowner’s insurance policies include wind damage, which is one of the most common types of storm damage. According to the Insurance Information Institute, homeowners made more claims for wind and hail damage than any other type of loss1 between 2014 and 2018, including fire, water damage, and theft.
In most cases, homeowners insurance will cover the price of wind damage.
Storm damage necessitates repairs and replacement. Check your homeowners insurance policy to see what it covers.
What Is Considered Wind Damage Under a Homeowners Policy?
The majority of damage produced by wind in any type of storm is classified as wind damage and is covered by a homeowners insurance policy. Roofs, windows, and other structures can be destroyed by strong winds.
Wind damage can be caused by a variety of storms that are normally covered by a homeowners insurance policy, including:
Is Wind Damage Covered by Home Insurance?
Yes, as previously stated, most types of wind damage are often covered by homeowners insurance. Typically, your homes policy’s dwelling coverage will assist in the repair or replacement of damage to the roof, siding, or windows caused by a windstorm. Personal property coverage is included in your homes policy, and it can help you repair or replace goods that have been destroyed by a windstorm.
You should familiarize yourself with your policy’s coverage limits, deductibles, and exclusions. In some states, specific deductibles for certain windstorms, such as hurricanes, may apply.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Wind Damage to Roofs?
Your homeowners insurance may cover wind damage to your home’s roof, depending on the type of coverage you have. Wind damage to roofs on other structures on your property, such as a shed or free-standing garage, may be covered if you have other structures coverage.
The coverage for roof damage repair or replacement due to a wind event will be explained in your policy. Certain factors, such as the age of your roof or unresolved maintenance issues, may influence how much of the cost of repairing or replacing the roof is covered. Your insurance company will assess the damage, as well as any damage that may have occurred before to the windstorm, and decide the appropriate amount of compensation. If you’d like to learn more about the procedure, contact your Travelers salesperson.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Wind Damage to Siding?
Siding, like your roof, is a crucial component that preserves your home’s appearance and structure. Fortunately, wind damage to vinyl, aluminum, and other types of siding is usually covered by homeowners insurance. Your insurance will cover the cost of replacing wind-damaged siding with siding that has a more uniform appearance.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Wind Damage to Fences?
Wind damage to a fence on your property is usually covered if you have other structures coverage in your homeowners insurance. Ordinarily, ordinary homeowners policies reimburse you for the fence’s real monetary worth if it is damaged or destroyed. You will be paid up to the value of the fence, less the deductible and the amount the fence has depreciated since it was purchased.
Protect Your Home
Wind-driven events have the ability to do a lot of damage to your house. While your homeowners insurance protects your investment, it’s also critical to take proactive precautions to protect your property against high-wind damage. Here are some options:
- Keep an eye on your roof. Roof inspections should be done on a regular basis. You might begin by conducting your own site assessment. Take a short walk away from your house and view your roof with a pair of binoculars. Notify a licensed contractor if any shingles or tiles are missing or loose, and have them repaired or replaced. Check spots where wire enters your roof from the attic. Seal any areas where you can see daylight. Last but not least, inspect your gutters and downspouts. Make that they’re free of debris and securely fastened to your home.
- Examine your soffit and fascia. Examine your siding for any signs of degradation and make any necessary repairs. Reattaching loose siding and resealing siding around doors and windows, water lines, the dryer vent, and where wires enter the property are all examples of this.
- Projectiles must be eliminated. Remove or secure all exterior items that could become projectiles and cause damage to your home if a windstorm is forecast. Lawn furniture, hanging baskets, grills, bicycles, toys, and dead or overhanging tree limbs are just a few examples.
Be Prepared
These extra recommendations from Travelers can help you prepare for windy weather ahead of time:
Your home is your most valuable asset. Make sure it’s sheltered from the elements. To obtain a home insurance quote, find a Travelers salesperson near you.
Does insurance have to match siding?
(2) If you’re looking for a “to the extent practical, the expense of repairing, replacing, or rebuilding the property with material of comparable sort and quality.”
The insured’s construction expert believed the roof needed to be completely replaced at a cost of more than $800,000. Harleysville claimed only partial roof damage and allocated $21,000 for roof repairs, but the insured’s construction expert believed the roof needed to be completely replaced at a cost of more than $800,000. Furthermore, the shingles were no longer being produced. The insurer filed a lawsuit, claiming that the lack of matching shingles entitled it to a complete roof replacement. The court remarked that “The “covered property” under the policy was defined as the buildings (not than individual things on the property), and the court decided that whether the structure experienced a loss due to the lack of matching roof tiles was a jury matter. Whether or whether Harleysville was able to replace shingles with shingles that were of a higher grade “The jury had to decide whether the unmatched shingles would offer an acceptable aesthetic effect, which they had to do. The premise is that property that has not been physically harmed can be turned into something else “replacement of physically damaged items does not result in an aesthetic solution that the insured is satisfied with. It implies that the carrier has an obligation to pay for the aesthetics of the building in addition to fixing the functionality of the damaged property.
Regardless of any insurance regulations that govern the issue, a carrier’s responsibility to pay for matching is governed by policy language and hinges on whether the policy’s loss payment and valuation conditions can be understood to oblige the carrier to match the replacement materials. Allowing coverage for matching, according to the insurance industry, gives a windfall to the insured. Allowing for complete replacement of matching roofing and siding can be overly costly for a provider whose policy solely covers damage to the structure.
The provisions of insurance plans vary widely and are crucial in defining the carrier’s responsibilities in a claim involving a vehicle “worry about “matching” “Loss Settlement” provisions in the current ISO HO-3 and HO-5 standards, as well as company-specific policies, provide for reimbursement of the “replacement cost of that section of the building damaged with material of like sort and quality and for like purpose.”
Other typical terms may be added in the policies of individual insurance providers. Other terms, conditions, and/or definitions may be included in some policies to address the “matching” or “uniformity” issue and limit exposure in such circumstances. Some policies go so far as to include “Roof Surfacing Loss Percentage Tables” determine the percentage of a roof that the carrier must replace based on the roof’s age and kind of roofing surface material. A hodgepodge of insurance legislation and regulations that attempt to manage claims with a “matching” or “uniformity” component loom over all of the above.
In response to an increase in the number of “In an attempt to avoid this clear precedent, many insurers have begun inserting wording in their policies that expressly limits the coverage requirement of matching based on color, a change in product specifications, or other reasons. Many states have statutes, insurance bulletins, or case law that address matching concerns directly, but others do not.
Many states have implemented insurance statutes, rules, and regulations that govern the treatment of matching claims in order to promote uniformity and predictability in this area. When you’re in Ohio, there’s a rule that says you can’t “When an interior or exterior loss necessitates the replacement of an item, and the replaced item does not match the quality, color, or size of the item lost, the insurer must replace as much of the item as is necessary to achieve a reasonably comparable appearance.” 3901-1-54 O.A.C. (I). In Kentucky, a law states that if a person is convicted of a felony, he or she must “If a loss necessitates item replacement and the replacement items do not reasonably match in quality, color, or size, the insurer must replace all items in the area to conform to a reasonably uniform appearance,” even though the regulation has not been applied in private litigation. 906 Kentucky Administrative Regulations 12:095 9 (b). Important questions include whether the statute or regulation applies, and if the insured has a private right of action under the applicable statute or rule.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has produced a model law called the Insurance Consumer Protection Act “The statute is known as the “Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Act.” It is a consumer protection statute that protects insureds against insurance firms’ aggressive and unfair claims settlement practices. Most states have implemented their own version of this model law, with the details differing from one state to the next. A portion of the NAIC’s Unfair Property/Casualty Claims Settlement Practices Model Regulation (MDL-902, 1997) reads:
Section 9. Fire and Extended Coverage Type Policies with Replacement Cost Coverage Must Meet Prompt, Fair, and Equitable Settlement Standards.
- When a policy provides for replacement cost adjustment and settlement of first-party losses, the following rules apply:
(1) Any consequential physical damage incurred in effecting such repair or replacement that is not otherwise excluded by the policy is included in the loss where a loss necessitates repair or replacement of an item or part. Except for the applicable deductible, the insured is not responsible for any betterment or other costs.
(2) When a covered loss for real property necessitates the replacement of goods, and the replacement items do not match in quality, color, or size, the insurer must replace items in the region in a reasonably consistent manner. This is true for both internal and external losses. The insured is not responsible for any costs in excess of the appropriate deductible, if any.
(1) When a residential fire and extended coverage insurance policy allows for the modification and payout of losses on an actual cash value basis, the insurer must calculate actual cash value as follows: Replacement cost of the property at the moment of loss, minus any depreciation. The insurer must send a copy of the claim file worksheets outlining any and all depreciation deductions at the insured’s request.
(2) The calculation of real cash value as set forth above is not necessary in circumstances where the insured’s interest is limited because the property has nominal or no economic worth, or a value disproportionate to replacement cost minus depreciation. In such circumstances, the insurer must provide a written explanation of the grounds for restricting the amount of recovery, as well as the amount payable under the policy, upon the insured’s request.
While Section A of the above regulation establishes a guideline for insurance companies to follow when it comes to the payment of claims involving “matching” or “uniformity” issues, this does not mean that a carrier in any given state is required to follow those guidelines, nor does it mean that the regulation benefits a property owner who has been wronged by a carrier who simply ignores the regulation.
Individual homeowners/insureds do not have a private right of action under a state’s statute or regulations governing unfair claims settlement procedures and the management of a “matching” or “uniformity” issue, according to most case decisions. Rattan v. United Services Automobile Association, 101 Cal.Rptr.2d 6 (Cal. App. 2000), for example, involved a fire-damaged property in California. The United Services Automobile Association (USAA) is a non-profit organization that promote “In adjusting the loss, USAA”) allegedly violated the terms of the policy, and the insureds claimed that it did so in violation of restrictions imposed on carriers under Department of Insurance regulations. The Court of Appeals, on the other hand, disagreed, stating:
Even in circumstances involving first-party insurance, neither the Insurance Code nor the regulations promulgated under its authority offer for a private right of action. Zephyr Park v. Superior Court, 213 Cal.App.3d 833, 839 (1989).) As a result, a judgment of unreasonable conduct is not required for any specific infringement of the regulations. (See, for example, California Service Station, etc. Assn. v. American Home Assurance Co., 62 Cal.App.4th 1166, 1175-1176.) Rather, as the trial court stated, a jury could only infer a lack of reasonableness on USAA’s side based on the regulations that were in evidence. The trial court was perfectly justified in rejecting the restrictions because, if delivered as instructions, they would have suggested to the jury that any infraction of the standards was per se a breach of contract or an act of ill faith, rather than just evidence of a breach or bad faith.
Just because a state requires carriers to obey a law like the one above doesn’t mean that a single householder (private person) has a legal right to do so “Under the statute or regulation, there is a “private right of action.”
The following are the most effective arguments used by carriers to dispute matching claims:
- Because the property lacked uniformity prior to the covered loss, it would be impossible to “conform” any replacement items to an existing “reasonably uniform look,” and so the regulation’s need to match new items was not triggered;
- Because the lack of a substantially uniform look previous to the covered loss was due to circumstances that were not covered by the policy, there was no responsibility to replace all of the existing objects because doing so would be an unjust windfall for the insured;
- Even if a corresponding regulation or requirement applies to the insured’s loss, the evidence indicates that the repair can be completed in a substantially uniform manner;
- Because “reasonably uniform look” is equivalent to “like sort and quality,” the replacement products can be matched to conform to a reasonably uniform appearance. The region that needs to be replaced to have a sufficiently consistent appearance is smaller than the entire property (immediate area, slope section, line of sight); and
- Because it does not create a private right of action, the regulation is unenforceable.
Much will hinge on how the court and the parties interpret terms like “similar construction and use” or “substantially uniform appearance.” The policy’s “small print” terms, conditions, and/or definitions will play a role in the “matching” or “uniformity” issue, potentially limiting exposure in such claims.
While the “matching” issue is concerned with fixing really “damaged” or “destroyed” property and the problems that arise when a repaired piece of a roof, siding, or cabinetry, for example, does not “match” the rest of the roof, siding, or cabinetry in appearance. “Cosmetic” damage, on the other hand, is a similar topic that encompasses dents, scratches, or other tiny flaws in property that occur as a result of a loss but do not rise to the level of being actually “damaged.” To put it another way, there is a qualitative difference. The damage is so minimal that it is only “cosmetic” and has only a modest impact on the property’s look. Such cosmetic damage to a piece of property does not result in any punctures, leaks, or loss of usefulness. Dents in a metal roof caused by a hail storm are an example.
Exclusions for “cosmetic damage” or “appearance damage” to property can be found in some insurance plans. While these types of exclusions are not currently included in every home or business policy, a rising number of big insurers have begun to incorporate them in their policies. Even if the homeowner’s insurance policy doesn’t distinguish between cosmetic and other sorts of damage and such damages are normally covered, one policy may cover cosmetic damage while another excludes it, while technically covering direct physical loss from hail. Some homeowner’s insurance providers, on the other hand, are proposing endorsements that could exclude cosmetic losses. Cosmetic damage endorsements have been submitted by the American Association of Insurance Services (AAIS) and the Insurance Services Office (ISO), two organizations that standardize forms and policies for property/casualty insurers. The endorsement also allows the insurer to separately exclude one component, such as the roof. These are becoming increasingly frequent in homes with metal roofs.
In fact, determining what an insurance provider considers aesthetic vs practical damage is rarely simple. What if, in the case of the dented metal roof, the dents have had a little impact on drainage, runoff, or seals? On conventional and architectural shingles, for example, it’s difficult to tell the difference between cosmetic and functional damage. The storm-chasing roof sales sector will contend that any localized loss of mineral will hasten the shingle’s demise, while insurers will argue that a few dings to the surface do not harm the shingle structure. In many states, profitability in homeowners’ insurance has become a multi-faceted, politicized, and elusive goal. Regulators, lawmakers, and consumer advocacy groups who don’t understand how insurance works can make obtaining reasonable rates for certain policies and risks difficult.
Subrogation claims typically include an insurance company stepping into the shoes of an insured and pursuing the claim payments from the third-party tortfeasor who caused the loss in the first place. The subrogated insurance company (subrogee) assumes the same tortfeasor rights as the insured did – no more, no less. Any defenses that the tortfeasor could have used against the insured can usually be used against the subrogee. As a result, the subrogee’s measure of recovery (i.e., damages) is the same as the insured’s measure of damages. When the legislation defining third-party damages recoverable in tort differs from the measure of a first-party claim payment under a policy and/or applicable law or regulations, this generates some unique and worrisome complications. In a subrogation tort lawsuit against the tortfeasor/defendant, an insurance company that has paid additional damages to remedy “matching” flaws in a first-party claim may or may not be able to collect those payments. The law differs from one state to the next.
In a subsequent subrogation tort case, a carrier may be limited to collecting the “market value” or difference in market value before and after a loss if it pays for the full replacement cost of a house or a piece of a structure. The state determines whether a tort defendant is responsible to a subrogated carrier for the additional claim payments required for the damaged property to match and be uniform after repair. Because payment will be paid to replace old, depreciated property with new property, reimbursement under an RCV insurance is anticipated to result in an economic benefit to the insured. As a result, subrogated carriers can’t always expect to recoup all of the claim money they’ve paid out. Liability insurance companies will argue that they are only liable for ACV or repair costs. When the repairs do not considerably raise the value of the property over its market value previous to the loss, certain states allow for recovery of the full cost of repairs without depreciation or betterment.
A chart of the regulations or legislation governing the matching issue in the payment of first-party insurance claims in all 50 states can be found HERE. This chart concentrates on homeowners’ claims and only mentions commercial property policies/claims in passing, albeit it is included if the law regarding a commercial policy is all that is accessible. It doesn’t say if “purely cosmetic” damage, such as hail dents on a metal roof, is covered by “direct physical injury,” or whether upgrades mandated by modern zoning or construction rules are covered. It also doesn’t address whether a private homeowner has a “private right of action” under state law to require an insurance company to follow these regulations in a first-party RCV property damage claim, or whether a subrogated insurance carrier can recover the full RCV matching claim payments it made in a civil subrogation tort action filed against a responsible tortfeasor.
Does homeowners insurance cover exterior damage?
It’s not pleasant to wake up to a flood in your basement caused by a broken water heater, especially when you discover your floor has been ruined. Is my homeowners insurance going to cover water damage? That’s one of the first concerns you’ll probably ask yourself.
In this case, your ordinary homes insurance policy will cover the price of the damage, and an agent will assist you in starting the water damage insurance claim procedure. Not all sorts of water damage, however, are covered.
Most conventional house insurance policies will cover water damage caused by a source inside your home, such as a burst pipe, if it occurs suddenly or accidentally. If the water comes from outside your home, your basic policy will not cover it. However, flood insurance, which is a separate policy that can be a wise addition to your existing house coverage, can provide additional protection against flood-related damages.
Does insurance cover old siding?
Keep in mind that typical wear and tear, such as rotten siding, will not be covered by your homes insurance.
If your damaged original siding is no longer available, matching siding coverage can help. Damage to your home’s siding caused by normal wear and tear, such as fading from sun exposure or filth and grime, is your responsibility and will not be reimbursed for replacement costs. Taking care of problems as soon as they arise and doing routine maintenance will help you save money in the long run.
Does insurance cover lifted shingles?
The yard could appear a little different after straight-line winds pass through your neighborhood. Lawn furniture can be thrown about, and tree branches can become crooked. You may also notice that a piece of your roof is missing shingles when you inspect your home. Alternatively, your fence may have been torn down, and a tree now stands straight in your yard.
Your homeowner’s insurance may be able to assist you in covering the costs of repairing or replacing damaged sections of your home, roof, fences, and other items that have been destroyed as a result of a weather event. However, the amount you receive for your damaged roof is determined by whether you have actual cash value or replacement cost coverage.
Windstorms may do a lot of harm to your shingles by getting beneath them and literally lifting them up and away. In most cases, your homes insurance policy will provide coverage for covered losses like these.
But, when you uncover damage like this, what precisely is covered under a standard homeowners policy? What other coverage options are available to further safeguard your home as the weather changes? These are excellent inquiries. And we know what you’re looking for.
Your homeowners policy protects you against wind damage in a few ways:
Wind damage to roofs
Your homeowners insurance covers your roof, but the extent of your coverage is determined by your policy. Other than wind and hail, the base policy normally includes replacement cost coverage. Roof replacement cost coverage is also provided for wind and hail damage if your roof is eligible based on its age and type (e.g. shingles, tiles, slate, wood, etc.).
For a deeper look at how your homeowners insurance might be bolstered to cover damages to your roof, check out the specifics on supplementary roof replacement coverage.
Wind damage to shingles
Wood shingled roofs have a more natural appearance than asphalt composition shingled roofs, although they are less prevalent. Wood shingles, especially after a storm, necessitate greater awareness and care from homeowners. Obtaining coverage for wood-shingled homes may necessitate a physical inspection to assess the roof’s condition, but it is possible in the right circumstances. For many homeowners, wood shingles and shakes are not the greatest roofing material because they require yearly care.
Damaged wood shingle or shaking roofs can quickly create major leaks, therefore it’s critical to report shingle issues as soon as possible.
Wind damage to windows
During a windstorm, windows and doors are left open. Your doors and windows could be damaged or even demolished if the wind takes up a little flowerpot and tosses it into the air. The good news is that your homeowners insurance will normally cover you in such a situation.
Wind damage to fences
Is it possible to get insurance for wind damage to a fence? Yes, you certainly can. This type of event is often covered under your property’s other, or detached, structures coverage. Fences are normally protected for the same unforeseen events as your home, such as damage from severe winds, hail, lightning, vehicle damage, fire and smoke, and vandalism, when other structures are covered. Wood fences may only be insured for real cash value depending on your insurance company and policy, which means depreciation may be applied depending on the age and condition of the fence.
With the purchase of additional unplanned constructions coverage, you can also get additional coverage for them. This policy provides $5,000 in restricted coverage, which can be expanded if needed.
Wind damage to siding
In an active homeowners policy, you’re covered for both metal and vinyl siding. However, knowing how your insurance covers both damage and replacement coverage is critical to ensuring that your siding is properly protected from unexpected incidents.
If your siding is destroyed by a peril included in your policy, such as wind, hail, fire, or tornado, you should be protected and able to replace the damaged or missing siding with a material that closely matches.
A normal homeowners policy, on the other hand, just covers the damaged portions of your home, which can be a bigger concern than you might think. That’s why it’s crucial to have siding that matches.
If your siding is more than a few years old, it may no longer be manufactured, and a suitable replacement may not be available. Even if it is accessible, your home’s siding may have faded, leaving you with two nearly identical colors. And this might seriously detract from your home’s curb appeal.
If a suitable match cannot be identified, you may be compensated for up to $20,000 of the costs of rebuilding the remaining intact siding if you have added matching siding coverage. Everything will be as near to a perfect match as possible.
How can you tell if you have wind damage from shingles?
Loose or missing shingles, chimney difficulties, curling or peeling shingles, granule loss, damaged soffit or fascia, and inside leaks are all signs of wind damage on a roof. Tree branches can also fall during high winds, causing roof damage. Wind, like hail, can induce granule loss (the sandpaper-like part of the shingle).
Does insurance have to match shingles?
If your shingles have been discontinued and are damaged in a storm, does your insurance company have to repair your complete roof? One of my readers posed this question, and my response was the same as always: it depends. If you can’t match the current shingles, such as t-locks, most insurance companies will replace the complete roof. However, it is contingent on the policy’s wording. Some firms are designing policies that only cover damage and do not need them to replace the complete roof, only the damaged aircraft, even if the roof does not match. A hail storm frequently blows in with a directional wind, causing only one side of the roof to be damaged.
It is critical to comprehend your insurance policy! I’ve seen situations where a roof had numerous layers of shingles and the insurance policy said that the insurance company only had to pay to rip off one layer and repair it, even if building codes prohibited it. In other circumstances, the policy specifies that the structure must comply with current construction rules, and the insurance company is responsible for tearing off all layers and, if required, re-decking.
Getting the cheapest insurance is rarely the best deal, as with other things. It’s critical that your policy covers the cost of bringing your home up to current construction requirements. This is crucial for both interior and external construction. Consider a small fire that damages your home; your insurance will likely cover the cost of rebuilding that section and bringing it up to code, but it’s possible that the building department will require you to replace wiring throughout the house to meet current building codes before issuing you a CO (certificate of occupation), which you’ll have to pay for out of pocket. Most code upgrade riders on insurance policies are quite affordable; all you have to do is be aware of them and ask questions.
Another question concerned a roof that had already been fixed. The person had t-lock shingles, which had been repaired, but there was now another problem in the same place. Her concern was that since they had purchased the house with the repair, the insurance company would only repair it once more. That depends on a number of factors, including the sort of repair performed, whether the leak was limited to flashing details and could be repaired without replacing the roof, or whether there was more extensive damage to the shingles that required replacement.
It all boils down to your insurance company’s, agent’s, and policy’s quality. Even if you don’t have a problem right now, it’s a good idea to speak with your insurance carrier and double-check that your policy protects you the way you think it does. Remember that your roof protects your home and everything inside of it, so it’s important to make sure it’s in good shape.
Can an insurance company replace only half a roof?
Is it possible to merely repair part of a roof? Yes, theoretically, although most specialists advise against it. If any section of your roof is damaged, you should immediately contact a roofer or contractor to discuss your options and next actions.
What is water seepage coverage?
Water damage isn’t all the same! You presumably used your home’s water to clean your teeth, shower, feed your children, and make coffee just this morning. Day after day, year after year, this consistent everyday use of the same pipes and plumbing system has the potential to cause harm. If not examined and/or updated in a timely and professional manner, any family could face a significant financial burden if something goes wrong. In this post, we’ll go over four popular water coverages that could help you and your family avoid potential financial hardship as a result of water damage in your house.
Sudden and unintentional water damage is the sole type of water coverage covered in most basic homeowner’s policies. Water backup, on the other hand, is a coverage that may be added.
If you live in Texas, keep reading to learn more about foundation water damage coverage and seepage, which can be added to your homeowner’s insurance policy.
Water damage caused by a sudden or inadvertent overflow of water or steam from a plumbing, heating, or air conditioning system, or a domestic device is covered. Most insurance policies cover this up to the policy limits “Types of policies in the “HO3” category. (The most common policy type is the HO3 policy, which is normally linked at the top of your declarations page.) For example, if your home is insured for $400,000, you’ll be covered for up to $400,000 in water damage if it occurs unexpectedly.
Kelly, for example, owns a property in Colorado. The temperature dipped to 10 degrees below zero in February 2013, causing the pipes to freeze and explode. On the first floor of Kelly’s home, there was 4 inches of standing water. The damage to the flooring, walls, and contents totaled $30,000 to repair. Kelly had a $2,000 deductible. Kelly’s homeowners insurance policy covered water damage that occurred unexpectedly. As a result, her insurance covered the cost of the repairs, minus Kelly’s deductible. As a result, her insurance company paid $28,000 to fix the damage.
Water backup is a homes insurance endorsement that protects you from damage caused by water backing up into your property. This type of backup usually occurs when sewage lines, sump pumps, or drain lines become clogged, and the only way for water to move is through the sewer system “retrace your steps in the direction you came from.”
Water backup insurance is often endorsed for $5,000, $10,000, or $25,000 in coverage, with its own deductible. Check with your agent to see if this can be added to your policy.
As previously noted, Texas has an optional coverage that isn’t accessible in all states that you can add to your homeowners policy.
Using “If you have “foundation coverage” endorsed, you can expect coverage to repair or replace your foundation if a pipe bursts or a water leak occurs beneath your property. To be clear, this will not protect you from natural foundation shifts that cause doors to jam or swing open. The wear and tear that occurs as your home ages is not covered by foundation coverage.
This is especially useful for homes with slab foundations, because the only way to get at the problem is to dig up the foundation. If your foundation has been endorsed for water damage, you are covered for foundation repair up to the amount of coverage you purchased.
The majority of insurance companies will provide this coverage for 15% of the residence value mentioned on your policy. If your home is insured for $400,000, the policy will cover up to $60,000 in foundation repair costs.
Will my insurance cover the damage caused by a leak in my house that has been causing damage for some time?
No way! I know it’s not a pleasant situation to be in. Fortunately, in some areas, there is a seepage water damage endorsement that may be added to homeowners policy. Protection against seepage is provided by seepage coverage “leaks that have been going on for more than 14 days and you haven’t noticed…
Most carriers will cover your home up to the policy limit if you have seepage coverage. If you travel frequently or live in an older home, this coverage is very important.
For instance, if your home (dwelling coverage) is protected up to $400,000 and you have seepage approved up to your policy maximum, you will be covered up to $400,000.
Remember that you have additional coverage for sudden and accidental water damage, which covers any leaks that cause damage for 14 days or less.
It’s best to verify with your agent about the terms of your water coverage on your policy, just as you should with every other coverage. You never know what might happen, so it’s always a good idea to be ready.