worker applies bitumen mastic on the foundation
Are you having problems with your home’s foundation? An estimated 25% of homes in the U.S. will suffer some damage to the foundation. If you are one of the 25%, you’re probably wondering if your homeowner’s insurance covers foundation repair.
Foundation damage can be caused by many things, such as heavily saturated ground from a flood or how your house settles over time.
If you’re curious about coverage, keep reading. This article will go over what homeowners insurance covers when it comes to foundation damage.
When Foundation Repair is Covered by Homeowners Insurance
Like other parts of your home, there are situations where your home covers house foundation repair, unless your policy excludes it. Let’s take a look at what is by your homeowner’s insurance.
- Fire
- Lightning strikes
- Hurricane damage
- Damage from trees
- Vandalism
- Explosions
- Water damage from plumbing
If any of these situations occur, you can file a claim and talk with your insurance adjuster about repairs to your home’s foundation.
When Foundation Repair Isn’t Covered by Home Owners Insurance
Although many repairs to your foundation are covered, there are some situations where your insurance doesn’t cover the damage. Insurance companies label these as two types of risks.
Insurance companies will accept responsibility for events such as storm damage or fire, but will deem things like earthquakes or floods as risky. Let’s go over the types of damages to your foundation that an insurance company commonly rejects.
- Earthquakes
- Floods
- Tree Roots
- Construction error
These types of damages commonly require their own policies. So if you want complete full coverage for your home’s foundation, you may need to get more than one insurance policy. This is especially important if you live in flood zones or areas where earthquakes are common.
What Can You Do if You’re Not Covered?
If you are in a situation where your insurance company rejects your claim, you’ll need to try and prove that you are covered.
For instance, most insurance companies don’t cover damages from floods. But, if your home got flooded by a burst pipe, you would actually be covered, because insurance covers damage from plumbing.
Hiring a contractor specializing in home foundations would be helpful, because they can provide you with a special assessment that helps your claim. Try searching foundation repair near me to find professionals that can help you with an evaluation.
Preventing Foundation Damage
Preventing Foundation damage is key to avoiding filing a claim. Foundation damage is primarily caused by shifting soil beneath your home due to moisture or dryness.
You’ll want to have a system in place where water doesn’t pool around your home and becomes trapped in the soil. Gutter extension, installing a sump pump in the basement, and improving the grading of your home are all great options.
If you live in a dry area that lacks rain throughout the year, you’ll want to ensure that the areas around your home are getting water periodically. This will reduce the soil from shifting, so you won’t need to find foundation repair.
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