Updated: October 16, 2024
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Your homeowners insurance policy will pay for house foundation repairs as long as the damage is caused by covered perils like fire, windstorms or fallen trees. The dwelling coverage from the policy covers damages to the structure of your home, including the foundation.
Homeowners insurance will cover damage to your foundation up to the dwelling limits of your policy. In other words, if you have a dwelling coverage of $100,000, this is the maximum compensation for your house foundation repairs.
Homeowners insurance covers house foundation repair automatically since it falls under dwelling coverage. It is important to note that this coverage only applies when perils covered by your policy cause the damage. Under your standard home insurance policy, insurers will not cover damage caused by floods and earthquakes.
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Your homeowners insurance policy will cover the structure of your home, including the foundation. Homeowners insurance covers house foundation repair if caused by any of the perils or risks stipulated in your dwelling coverage.
Some of the instances when home insurance will pay for house foundation repair include:
Foundation repairs are covered by home insurance if they are caused by covered perils, as specified in your policy. For instance, your insurer will cover repairs if your foundation collapses due to the weight of ice or snow following a storm.
Your home insurance policy will also pay for repairs if you have a plumbing issue that causes water damage to the foundation. Additionally, perils like fire, explosions and vandalism are covered since they are included in standard home insurance coverage.
Standard homeowners insurance will not cover foundation repairs if uncovered perils cause the damage. These exclusions are:
House foundation repairs can be costly and it's important to know that your homeowners insurance will not cover damages such as those caused by poor construction. One way to protect yourself and minimize exposure is to ensure your home is thoroughly inspected before you purchase it.
House inspection before moving in
Poor construction is one of the leading causes of the faulty foundation, and your home insurance does not cover it. Before moving into a new home, get a thorough home inspection to ensure that the foundation is good and not susceptible to damage.
Ensure proper grading
Proper grading will ensure water drains away from your home, limiting water damage due to heavy rains or flooding.
Remove potential hazards like trees
Tree roots can easily damage your foundation, so it is important to relocate any trees that may be too near to the structure of your home to avoid potential damage to the foundation.
Homeowners insurance policies are available in most major insurance companies like State Farm and smaller providers like Hippo.
The best homeowners insurance for you will depend on various factors. MoneyGeek recommends comparing homeowners insurance quotes and coverage options to help you find the right policy for your needs. The average cost of homeowners insurance is $175 per month, but rates can vary depending on your personal property.
You can use MoneyGeek's personal property calculator to see how rates vary based on the value of your personal property.
When figuring out how much renters insurance you need, experts recommend the standard $100,000 in liability insurance and enough personal property protection to cover your possessions. Use MoneyGeek's calculator to estimate the value of your possessions so you know how much personal property coverage to buy.
Clothes, shoes, bags, belts, hats, gloves, etc.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
