If you’re not sure what kinds of structural repairs are covered by your home insurance policy, you aren’t alone. Home damage happens in many different forms and it’s not always obvious when your home has structural damage. The integrity of your home’s structure can slightly deteriorate over time or get ruined rapidly in a severe storm.
Find out what structural damage is covered under most homeowners insurance policies. Plus, learn about additional insurance policies that can help you get the best protection for your home.
What is structural damage to a building?
You will notice structural damage immediately in many cases. Inside your home, things like ceiling damage, a cracked chimney or slanted floors are easy to spot. Licensed home inspectors primarily look at the four pillars which are the foundation, floor, walls and roof. Cracking, sagging, shifting or missing features on any of the pillars may be considered structural damage if the ruin is severe.
Does home insurance cover structural problems?
The part of your home insurance policy that covers the home structure specifically is often referred to as dwelling protection. This sets it apart from other coverages within your homeowners policy such as personal property protection or liability protection.
The source of your home damage plays a primary role in whether your home insurance policy will cover the costs for structural repairs. Two of the factors insurance companies usually consider are:
- What caused the structural damage?
- What kind of destruction occurred?
The Insurance Information Institute (III) says, “your homeowners policy pays to repair or rebuild your home if it is damaged or destroyed by fire, hurricane, hail, lightning or other disasters listed in your policy.” However, the following circ*mstances are not covered by home insurance:
- Damage caused by a flood
- Destruction from an earthquake
- Routine wear and tear
In short, not all ruin from natural disasters is covered by a home insurance policy. Regular wear and tear are not considered covered losses. Luckily, there are different ways to supplement your home insurance to get extra protection for your needs.
Learn about our
Home Insurance
Additional coverage to consider for your home
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Flood Insurance
This can cover costs to repair or replace your home if it is damaged by a flood. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) categorizes a flood as “an excess of water on land that is normally dry, affecting two or more acres of land or two or more properties.” Flood insurance offers coverage for the building and contents. Learn more about flood insurance here. -
Earthquake Insurance
This covers dwelling and personal property loss in the event your home is damaged by an earthquake. There is also additional living expense (ALE) coverage for temporary housing, meals and other services while your home is repaired. Learn more about earthquake insurance here. -
Fallen Tree Damage Coverage
There are many factors that contribute to determining the coverage if a tree falls on your property and damages your home. For example, a healthy tree falling during a severe storm has different coverage potential than a neglected tree falling on your home. Talk to your insurance agent to see what types of loss are covered on your policy and figure out if you should consider additional coverage.
5 structural repairs most home insurance will cover
Homeowners insurance does cover some structural damage. Here are five home structural repairs or rebuilds you can expect your home insurance policy to cover:
- Roof damage from a severe storm.
- A total collapsed roof from the weight of snow or ice.
- Damage from an accidental vehicle crash into your home.
- Destruction from an accidental explosion.
- Ruin from an accidental fire.
Every insurance company offers different protection, so it’s important for you to know exactly what your policy says. If you have questions about home insurance policies, talk to a Grange independent agentto learn more.
How to fix structural damage
Find the right licensed contractorto complete structural repairs on your home. Roofing contractors can repair your roof and replace damaged or missing shingles. Construction contractors can repair cracked walls, fix slanted floors and mend issues in your home foundation.
Choose home coverage that meets your needs
You need a home insurance policythat offers great coverage with discounts and multiple ways to pay. Choose Grange Insurance to protect your home and property. You can expect great customizable dwelling, personal property, personal liability, equipment breakdown, identity theft coverage and more. Talk to a Grange independent agenttoday for more details.
This article is for informational and suggestion purposes only. Implementing these suggestions does not guarantee coverage. If any policy coverage descriptions in this article conflict with the language in the policy, the language in the policy applies. For full details on Grange’s home insurance coverages and discounts, contact your local independent agent.References
Home Inspection Insider
Insurance Information Institute (III)
Floodsmart.gov
Insurance.ca.gov
FAQs
Homeowners insurance covers structural problems if they're caused by a covered peril. Covered perils could vary depending on the insurer and the policy type, but some common ones include fire, windstorms, and lightning strikes.
Does homeowners insurance cover structural problems? ›
Dwelling Insurance And Structural Damage
The types of structural issues that your homeowners policy covers will depend on the specifics of your policy. However, most standard homeowners policies include dwelling coverage, which typically covers damages to the structure of your home caused by a covered peril.
What does structural coverage cover? ›
Often, a structural warranty has an insurance backed guarantee whereby the builder is the insured and the homeowner is the beneficiary. As their name suggests, structural warranties are designed to provide long-term coverage of specific defects that affect the structural integrity of the home.
What is structural coverage in house? ›
All new homes come with a standard structural home warranty that covers the home itself for some time. Specifically, the plan guards: Workmanship. Load-bearing structural components. Roof framing systems.
What insurance covers the structure of your home? ›
Dwelling coverage, also known as home structure coverage, helps protect the physical structure of your home, like the walls and roof.
What not to say to home insurance adjuster? ›
Admitting Fault, Even Partial Fault.
Avoid any language that could be construed as apologetic or blameful. Admitting any level of fault can eliminate or reduce the compensation that may be available.
What is considered major structural damage to a house? ›
Structural damage is defined as any damage that compromises or affects the core integrity of your home. This includes the foundation, walls, roof and load-bearing walls. When structural damage occurs, the structure itself may be no longer able to support the house. Your home may be in danger of collapse or failure.
Does homeowners insurance cover cracks in the ceiling? ›
Cracking, sagging, shifting, or missing features on any of the pillars may be considered structural damage The good news is home insurance can cover ceiling cracks due to the named perils listed in your home insurance policy. Ceiling cracks may not be covered for the same reasons listed above.
What is a full structural warranty? ›
A Structural Warranty will protect you from risks caused by defective work or materials, but there could be building issues that arise after a project is completed that won't be covered by a warranty. These include: Alterations/ change in colour/ consequential loss. Defects in existing work/ humidity/ Japanese knotweed.
Will homeowners insurance cover sagging floors? ›
Does home insurance cover foundation movement or sagging floors? Foundation damage caused by shifting or settling earth or sagging floors caused by rotting floor joists are typically not covered by homeowners insurance. If the damage is caused by flooding or an earthquake, you'll typically require separate coverage.
Structural repairs refer to repairs or replacement to the roof, foundation, floors, and permanent exterior walls and support columns of a building.
How do I know if my house has structural damage? ›
Look for visible cracks in walls, check doors and windows for ease of operation, and pay attention to the evenness of floors and ceilings. It's also a good idea to inspect the exterior of your home for signs of damage, such as cracks in the foundation or brickwork, as well as any visible bowing or leaning walls.
Which two are not usually covered by homeowners insurance? ›
Standard homeowners insurance does NOT cover damage caused by flooding, earthquakes, termites, mold, or normal wear and tear.
What is the rule of thumb for dwelling insurance? ›
This is known as the 80/20 rule. If you're underinsured, you'll get less money if you file a claim. Let's say your home is insured for $200,000 but would cost $300,000 to rebuild. If you file a claim for $100,000, the insurance company could prorate your settlement by the percentage that you're underinsured.
Which of the following types of insurance coverage cover damages to the structure of the house caused by fires? ›
Fire damage is typically covered by a homeowners insurance policy. This would usually be included by two specific coverages: dwelling (for damages to your house structure) and personal property (for items that are damaged by the fire).
Does homeowners insurance cover broken pipes under foundation? ›
Homeowners insurance provides coverage for the structure of your home, including its slab and other parts of the foundation. If your slab cracks due to a covered hazard, like a pipe burst, homeowners insurance will likely cover the cost of tearing out and pouring new slab, but pipe repairs will likely not be covered.
Will homeowners insurance cover sagging roof? ›
It depends on your policy, but in our experience, insurance doesn't usually cover a sagging roof. This is because insurance companies typically consider it preventable with proper maintenance. However, if your roof sags due to a natural phenomenon, like a tree falling on it during a storm, they may cover it.
