Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Foundation Repair, Roof Repair or Rebuilding?

Insurance pays for sudden damage from a named cause, not for upkeep

According to the Maryland Insurance Administration, a homeowners policy generally pays for damage that happens suddenly and by accident from a peril the policy names. Wear, tear and gradual deterioration count as maintenance, which these policies don't pay for. Your policy spells out which losses are covered and which perils are excluded, so read it or check with your agent before assuming either way.

• Perils policies commonly name: hail, wind, fire, and damage from heavy snow or ice loads.
• Commonly excluded perils: flood and earthquake.
• Not covered: wear and tear or deterioration over time.
• Questions about your policy go to your agent, broker or insurance company.

Foundation repair coverage depends on what caused the damage

The cause decides the answer. If a covered, sudden event damaged the foundation, the policy may pay to repair it. If cracking comes from gradual deterioration, that falls under maintenance and is generally not paid. The source does not address foundations specifically, so check your policy's exclusions and ask your agent whether an endorsement is available to fill a gap.

Roof repair is covered for storm damage, but not always the whole roof

A roof damaged by wind, hail or heavy snow is the classic covered claim. Two conditions can shrink the payout, according to the Maryland Insurance Administration.

• If hail hits a roof already worn out, the policy may not cover all or part of the claim.
• If only part of the roof is damaged, the policy may pay to repair that portion only.
• Roof leaks from age or deterioration are generally treated as maintenance.

How much the carrier pays depends on coverage type and deductible

Once a loss is covered, two policy terms drive the check: how the loss is settled and which deductible applies. The "loss settlement method" section of your policy spells out the first.

• Replacement Cost Value (RCV): pays to repair or replace without deducting depreciation, usually once the work is completed.
• Under RCV you often get the depreciated amount first, then the rest after repairs are finished.
• Actual Cash Value (ACV): pays the depreciated cost, which can be far less for an older roof or system.
• Some policies carry a separate wind, hail or storm deductible instead of the general one.
• Maryland Insurance Administration example: $3,000 roof damage with a $1,000 deductible means the insurer pays $2,000.
• Maryland Insurance Administration example: with a 5% hurricane deductible on a $100,000 dwelling, the deductible is larger than the $3,000 in damage, so the insurer pays nothing.

How we write a rebuild estimate your adjuster can work with

For insurance, an estimate is only required for putting the house back together. We come out, look at your home, then sit down with you to go through the estimate. We won't guess at a figure sight unseen.

We write the scope in Xactimate, the pricing software insurers use, so it holds up with adjusters. In most losses we bill your carrier directly instead of you, and we will tell you what to expect before you file anything.

• Photograph everything before you move it.
• You have the right to start emergency mitigation before an adjuster calls you back.

Compare written bids and check licensing before you choose

Get written bids so you can compare scope and price side by side, and check references for reliability and communication. Before you sign, look the contractor up on Washington L&I's free Verify tool.

• Our technicians are IICRC certified.
• We answer 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at (206) 856-3173.

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