Does home insurance cover structural damage?
I just bought a house and I plan to stay put for a long time. In the future, I wonder if I'll have to deal with structural damage to my home. Will my insurance company provide financial support?
Answer
That is a great question! Structural damage (damage to the load-bearing walls, foundation, or roof) is covered under your policy as long as it is caused by a covered peril. For example, a fire can cause devastating damage to a home and is covered.
However, many typical causes of structural damage are excluded from homeowners policies. Earthquakes and floods are the most common causes, and unless you have added coverage through an endorsement, you will not be covered for this type of loss.
Tree roots and the natural settling, cracking, or shrinking of a foundation are also common exclusions that are never covered. Some policies may exclude foundation coverage altogether no matter what the loss is.
This can depend on the state you live in, so it is very important to read over your policy exclusions to make sure you have the coverage that works best for you!
Shannon Martin
Answered on Mar 12, 2021
Did this answer help you?
Ask us a question by email and we will respond within a few days.
Have a different question?
You can meet us at our office and discuss the details of your question.
Read advice from car experts at Jerry
Browse by topics
What others are asking
Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance
No long forms
No spam or unwanted phone calls
Quotes from top insurance companies
