If you have some broken windows in your house that require fixing, regardless of the cause of the damage, you would need to get them fixed as soon as possible. Your homeowners insurance can cover broken windows if they’re not caused by normal wear and tear or poor maintenance. Moreover, everything depends on whether fixing the window will cost more than your deductible or not. The sum that you decide will be deducted from any settlements related to claims. This article will delve into the specifics of how homeowners’ insurance can cover broken windows.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Broken Windows?
Your homeowners insurance can cover the cost of replacing and fixing broken windows due to a covered peril. Typical examples like hail, tornadoes, hurricanes, falling trees, and vandalism are covered perils. Understanding how your homeowners’ insurance provider shares coverage is crucial to determine if they will cover your broken windows.
Generally, your homeowners insurance usually divides into various coverage types, each with specific requirements and limitations. The location of the damaged window determines which coverage pays for repairs. In addition, there are three aspects of your homeowners’ insurance coverage that can cover broken windows:
Dwelling coverage
Dwelling coverage is made to offer coverage to the components and overall structure of your house. This applies to every window in your home. To ensure that you would always have enough coverage to replace every window in your house if they were all broken by the same peril, the dwelling coverage maximum on your policy should match the value of your house.
Other structures coverage
The other structures of your homeowners’ insurance policy cover any windowed structures on your property that aren’t directly attached to your house, such as a detached garage or shed. Generally, this coverage maximum is 10% of the dwelling portion of your policy. For window damage claims, homeowners with $400,000 in dwelling coverage would probably also have $40,000 in coverage for other structures. Paying cash instead of submitting a claim may be more advantageous, similar to dwelling claims for broken windows.
Liability coverage
The final type of coverage is provided by someone else’s home insurance policy rather than your own homeowners policy. The liability coverage of their policy may kick in to cover the cost of repairs. This is if someone breaks your window by accident. An example of such incidents includes a neighbor accidentally smashing a baseball through your window or falling from a tree and breaking your glass.
When Does Homeowners Insurance Not Cover Broken Windows?
Generally, when it comes to broken windows, homeowners insurance cannot cover rot or bad maintenance.
- Wear and tear: You typically won’t be covered if the breakage of your windows was due to their age.
- Broken window seals: You won’t be covered if your window seal breaks as a result of normal wear and tear or neglect. Homeowners insurance covers damage to the seal due to vandalism or break-in, but this is a separate issue.
Furthermore, even though it may seem difficult, check your windows regularly to see if any signs of wear and tear or damage can be fixed with a little upkeep task, saving you money by avoiding having to replace the entire window later.
How Do Deductibles for Broken Windows Work?
The deductible is the amount you must pay towards a covered claim before your insurance company covers the remaining balance. When you buy a homeowners policy, you typically get to select the amount of your deductible. Moreover, your insurance company will not reimburse you if the window repair costs less than your deductible. The applicable coverage limits under your policy also apply. The policy outlines the maximum amount of money that it will cover for repairs for a specific type of loss.
Does a Home Warranty Cover Broken Windows?
Windows and doors are examples of structural features that are not covered by homeowners insurance, even if you also have a separate home warranty policy. If your insurance doesn’t cover window damage, you’ll have to pay out of pocket, while your warranty may cover appliances and plumbing wear and tear.
How to File an Insurance Claim for Broken Windows
The procedure for filing an insurance claim for a broken window is the same as for any other type of home insurance claim, but the payout may be less. Always start by taking pictures of the damage. The walls, flooring, and personal items closest to the broken window will probably be covered as well if rain seeped into your house.
You should submit a claim to your insurer after taking pictures and videos of the damage. To assess the damage, they will dispatch an adjuster to the scene. Once your provider has been informed of the damage, they will either approve or reject your claim. In case your insurance company approves your claim and it was caused by a covered peril, you will probably receive a check for the amount of damages and be responsible for arranging the repairs.
