Does home insurance cover cracked walls? This is a question many people ask, particularly when they move into a new house or are refurbishing an old property. It can be a very scary experience when your walls come crashing down. It can also be expensive and frustrating trying to get your insurance company to pay for the damage, but it is a fact that most insurance companies will not pay for damage caused by a “dangerous” glass, for example. But what about your walls?
It is not uncommon for your home insurance policy to include a protection against “cracked walls”. It may be stated as a condition of the insurance or it may explicitly mention this as part of the policy. However, does this cover the damage caused by “cracked walls”? If so, it means that your walls were damaged as a result of “a hazard in the home”, but how did this occur? The insurance company may not pay for the damage to your home caused by a hurricane or a fire – such occurrences are covered by hurricane insurance or household insurance.
How Do Cracked Walls Occur?
Cracked walls are more likely to be a result of two possible events, both of which can happen to a home. The first is “perimeter damage” – this is damage to the outer face of your home caused by weather, for example snow and ice scraping off the roof, or rain and wind making its way into your home through gaps in the walls. This is not usually a major issue and most home insurance policies provide coverage for it. The other possible scenario is when someone breaks in while you are away. This is obviously more of a risk than most home insurance customers realize and the damage done could end up being much greater than the amount that your policy covers.
What Should I Do If I Have a Cracked Wall in My Home?
The first thing you should do if you discover a crack in your wall is to call your home insurance company. They will either offer to pay for the cost of removing and repairing it or will point you in the direction of another company that will. If they refuse, try to negotiate with them until you get a reasonable quote that includes all the costs. You may also find that they will agree to raise your deductible a little bit to ensure that you will have enough money in the event of a claim. If your home insurance company give you a quote that seems a little bit better than others but won’t budge on the amount of coverage you receive, take it back to the agent and see what you can do.
When you have a wall that has been damaged by hail or high winds, there is a possibility that your insurance policy will not cover the full extent of the damage. This could be an issue if you have expensive items in your home, as you may not want to take them with you when you move. It may also be an issue if you live in an area that is prone to wind damage. In this case, you may have to consider taking out flood insurance or storm insurance to cover the rest of the damages.
Conclusion
When you are in need of home insurance, you may feel that it is more complicated than it really is. However, if you take the time to ask questions and shop around, you will likely find that there are plenty of options available to you. Even if you were just considering a quote for affordable homeowners insurance, it is possible to get a policy that offers more than the quote says. Ask your agent or representative any questions that you have and be sure to check into the policy. Remember, if you want to know does home insurance cover cracked walls, then it makes sense to shop around.