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Does Homeowners’ Insurance Cover Broken Windows?

Are you a homeowner who is worried about potential damage to your windows? If one of your windows becomes broken or needs to be replaced, will homeowners’ insurance help cover the cost? Understanding what’s covered in homeowners’ insurance policies can be confusing and overwhelming. That’s why we created this guide. In it, we’ll discuss if homeowners’ insurance covers broken or new windows so you don’t have to wonder if an unexpected expense is lurking around the corner. From evaluating types of coverage to assessing damage claims, we’ll address all your questions painlessly—so you can feel more secure as a homeowner.

Different Types Of Home Insurance Coverage

Unlike auto insurance, which is a standard coverage, homeowners’ insurance is tailored to the individual needs of each policyholder. The various sections and subsections of your house insurance coverage each address specific risks related to your property.

Coverages A, B, C, D, E, and F are the standard designations for the six main coverage categories found in homeowners’ insurance plans. Compensation for shattered windows could be found in either your residence coverage (Coverage A), other buildings coverage (Coverage B), or liability coverage, depending on the nature of the damage (Coverage E). Here’s where the various insurance policies for broken windows could come into action.

Dwelling Coverage: Coverage A would apply to your house’s windows if they are structural.
Other Structures Coverage: Coverage B applies if the damaged window is located in an unattached building on your land, such as a carport or shed.
Liability Coverage: If you or a family member damage someone else’s window by mistake, you won’t have to worry about paying for repairs thanks to Coverage E.

The premiums and coverage restrictions in your insurance may affect how much you’re protected against for your specific shattered window scenario. It’s possible that you’ll save money by paying the bill yourself for the maintenance.

More About The Different Types Of Coverage

Coverage A – Dwelling Coverage

This part of your insurance, also called the residence coverage maximum, protects your home’s physical structure from loss due to specified disasters like fire, wind, lightning, and theft. The maximum payout under Coverage A of your insurance coverage would be paid out in the event of a “total loss,” such as a fire that entirely destroys your house.

Coverage B – Other Structures

The scope of Coverage B extends to include a variety of different kinds of buildings. What does this mean exactly? Consider the structures and buildings that are spread out across your land. A carport, barn, postbox, gazebo, or any other freestanding building qualifies. Damage to your fence caused by a storm may be covered by your homeowners ‘insurance.

Coverage C – Personal Property

The contents of your home are protected by this section of your policy. Everything inside your house is fair game. In case of a loss, however, you’ll need an accurate valuation of your possessions based on an up-to-date house inventory. If you own valuables like jewels, guns, artworks, laptops, etc., you should check your insurance contract to make sure you have adequate coverage.

Coverage D – Loss of Use

When a catastrophe strikes and repairs must be made to your house, where will you stay? Who will pay for it? You can get some of that money back from your home’s insurance through Policy D. Coverage D may reimburse you for incidental costs incurred as a result of being relocated, such as the cost of a hotel room, meals, and transportation. This accounts for costs outside of what you would normally spend money on.

Coverage E – Personal Liability Coverage

You will be protected from legal action brought by injured parties who are injured on your property or a property you hire out, as long as you have this insurance. It’s a blanket insurance coverage that covers you almost everywhere you go, except in the case of incidents involving a motor vehicle or watercraft. Coverage E will assist with the settlement or judgment of a claim or lawsuit filed against you for physical harm or property damage resulting from a covered occurrence. The typical expense in this respect is minimal.

Coverage F – Medical Payments

What would you do if your dog attacked someone? This is where health insurance’s hospital reimbursement benefits come in handy! Injuries sustained by third parties on your land or elsewhere and caused by you, a member of your household, or your pet are covered in the same way that medical expenses are under a car insurance policy.

Do not forget that your homeowner’s insurance coverage does not cover flood damage.

Get in touch with your insurance agent whenever you have questions or concerns about the coverage provided by your homeowner’s insurance policy; or if you think you might need to add coverage to any of the areas covered. Just like your house and its belongings are one-of-a-kind, so too should be your insurance policy.

Know What Caused The Window Damage To See If It’s Covered

Whether or not your house insurance will pay to fix your shattered window relies on the circumstances surrounding the break:

Break-ins, robbery, fire, lightning, and other natural disasters are all examples of the types of disasters typically covered by homeowners’ insurance. Have a conversation with your insurance company to verify that the incident that caused the harm falls under your policy’s coverage parameters before submitting a claim. You can find out if the cost of repairs is going to be more than your insurance coverage by obtaining a quote.

Your friend has broken a window: If your friend breaks a window in your house, their personal responsibility coverage on their homeowners’ insurance policy should cover the cost of fixing or replacing the window. Make your friend pay for the damages if they don’t have liability insurance. You may be able to take legal action if they decline and you can show that they damaged the glass.

Your family member or friend accidentally shatters a neighbor’s window: Perhaps your teen hit a ball over the fence that landed in your neighbor’s yard and shattered the windows. This is where the legal protections of your house insurance contract come in handy.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Wear And Tear?

Homeowners insurance usually covers unforeseen circumstances like theft or natural disasters. Naturally occurring deterioration or other wear and tear is not covered. Despite the fact that the rusting and rotting of the window was likely caused by an insured hazard, such as a violent storm, your insurance company may refuse to pay for its replacement. If you suspect that the harm was brought on by a risk that your insurance will pay for, you should have a professional inspect the area immediately. If there is damage, get an estimate for fixing it so you can decide whether or not to submit a claim.

The Verdict: Does Homeowners’ Insurance Cover Broken Windows?

As noted, Coverage A protects the insured’s house, while Coverage B covers any other buildings on the property, and Coverage E protects the insured from liability claims. These categories may be relevant when discussing window damage and broken windows, based on the nature and extent of the damage. Get in touch with your insurance agent as you consider what kind of insurance coverage you’ll need for your home’s damaged window or new window installation.

Furthermore, our staff at Window Replacement Group is here to assist you if you find yourself in need of additional information or guidance with any type of window related project. We know how important it is to keep a safe and secure home that functions as it should, which is why we are happy to provide top quality window installation services. If you need new windows installed or existing ones replaced, give us a call and we’ll take care of everything for you.