Upon realizing that their home is going to need foundation repair, one of the first questions most people have is “Does my homeowner’s insurance cover foundation repair?”
The answer, unfortunately, is often “It depends.” That is why it is important to know what is and is not covered under your plan
The Cause of Foundation Problems Is Key to If Insurance Will Cover Repairs
Typically, standard homeowners’ insurance policies cover sudden and accidental damage to your home. When it comes to foundation repair, that means whether or not it is covered largely depends on what caused the damage in the first place.
That means you must do two things. First, get to know your insurance policy to find out what causes are covered and which aren’t. Second, find out and document the cause of your foundation problems.
What are Covered Perils and How Do They Relate to Foundation Repair?
Most home insurance policies list a specific set of perils that they cover. These could include fire, lightning, vandalism, theft, and sometimes certain types of water damage.
In some cases individual riders on the policy can expand this list. Depending on where you live, common ones could include earthquake and flood insurance.
If your foundation is damaged by one of these it is far more likely that the repairs will be covered by your insurance.
An insurance professional or public adjuster can help if you have questions about what is and is not covered based on the terms of the policy.
Know Your Policies Exclusions and Limitations
Along with spelling out causes that are covered, insurance policies will also often list causes that are not covered. These are often called exclusions and limitations.
Certain items that might pop up in this section of a policy are particularly relevant to foundation repair.
- Settlement of the foundation or shrinking or expansive soil
- Faulty construction or use of poor-quality building materials
- Neglecting ongoing maintenance needs
The last of these is why it is especially important to keep up with ongoing maintenance around your home. This can be coupled with occasional inspections to catch small issues before they become big ones. This is key because wear and tear or neglect usually are not covered.
What to Do If You Think Your Foundation Repair Should Be Covered
If you think your foundation repair should be covered, the next step is to file a claim.
This will likely involve both supplying photos and other documentation related to the foundation problems, the needed repairs and the cause along with having an insurance adjuster evaluate the damage and issue a determination related to if repairs are covered and if so how much the claim will pay out.
Get a Free Estimate
Send A Message
Call us or fill out a form today for one of our foundation repair experts to give you a free estimate. Our technicians will inspect your property and come up with a plan that provides quality work at an affordable price. Our promise to you is to provide excellent service and complete your project in a timely manner.
