Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Structural Damage?

The structural elements of your home, including its foundation, floors, roof, walls, and ceilings, are critical to its function. If a storm, fire, or another disaster damages your home's structure, you'll want to ensure it's repaired right away. Knowing that your homeowners insurance can pay for these repairs can help you get your home back in proper shape ASAP.

An independent insurance agent can also help you find the right homeowners insurance policy if you're still in need. They'll ensure you're matched to the ideal amount of coverage for your property. But first, here's a closer look at when and how homeowners insurance covers structural damages and issues.

Table of Contents

• Is Structural Damage Covered by Homeowners Insurance?
• When Aren't Structural Issues Covered by Homeowners Insurance?
• Which Parts of the Home Are and Aren't Covered by Dwelling Insurance?
• How Much Do I Have to Pay If My Home Insurance Covers a Structural Damage Claim?
• If Homeowners Insurance Doesn't Cover Structural Damage, What Will?
• Why Work with an Independent Insurance Agent?

Is Structural Damage Covered by Homeowners Insurance?

Yes, structural damage to your home is covered under the dwelling coverage section of standard homeowners insurance policies. Your home insurance can reimburse you for repairs or replacements to your home's structural elements caused by various listed perils, including:

• Fire and smoke
• Windstorms
• Lightning and hail
• The weight of snow, sleet, or ice
• Certain kinds of water damage, such as burst pipes
• Certain explosions
• Falling objects, trees, and aircraft
• Theft and vandalism
• Riots and civil disturbances

Say a lightning strike damaged your home's front wall, and the resulting fire damaged your roof. Your home insurance's dwelling coverage could reimburse you for the destruction up to your policy's limit in that category after you paid your deductible if the claim was approved by your carrier. 

When Aren't Structural Issues Covered by Homeowners Insurance?

There are certain disasters that home insurance doesn't cover, and it's helpful to be aware of them before you try to file a claim. Home insurance won't cover structure damage and issues caused by the following.

• Natural floods, earthquakes, mudslides, and sinkholes
• Sewer backups (unless you added an endorsement)
• Routine wear and tear
• Land erosion
• Pest infestation and damage, including from termites

You'll need to review your specific policy's list of exclusions to be certain of when structural damage isn't covered. Your independent insurance agent can help review your policy with you.

Which Parts of the Home Are and Aren't Covered by Dwelling Insurance?

Your dwelling coverage can reimburse you for damage and destruction to many components of the home, including its:

• Foundation
• Roof
• Fireplace and chimney
• Frame, flooring, and windows
• Attached garages
• Built-in fixtures (i.e., tubs, showers, sinks, cabinetry, etc.)
• Built-in appliances (i.e., furnaces, water heaters, etc.)
• Plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems
• Decks and porches
• In-ground swimming pools

The following elements of the home are typically not covered by dwelling insurance:

• Above-ground swimming pools
• Detached garages
• Trampolines
• Sheds
• Tiny homes
• Treehouses
• Fences
• Gazebos

Your independent insurance agent can confirm which structural elements of your home are protected by the dwelling coverage section.

How Much Do I Have to Pay If My Home Insurance Covers a Structural Damage Claim?

After paying your deductible, you’ll be responsible for paying any amount exceeding your homeowners policy’s limits in the dwelling coverage category. Your deductible amount and your insurance’s limit will be specific to your personal homeowners policy and may be a percentage or a specific dollar amount. 

For example, if your home is valued at $300,000 and your deductible is 1% of your home's value, you'd have a $3,000 deductible for dwelling coverage. You also may just have a flat deductible of $1,000 or another dollar amount.

If you were approved for a claim of $30,000 in damage to your home's structure and you had a $3,000 deductible, you could be reimbursed for up to $27,000. Be sure to review your home policy with your independent insurance agent so you know exactly how much coverage you have and how much you might have to pay out of pocket per claim.

You can always shop around for a policy with a lower deductible or pay more to increase your coverage limit. Keep your unique concerns and needs in mind when reviewing your policy. Your agent will be able to help you decide if you need to add more coverage.

If Homeowners Insurance Doesn't Cover Structural Damage, What Will?

Understand that no insurance policy will cover structural issues caused by your neglect or failure to maintain your home. However, as far as structural issues caused by earth movement, you can look into a special earthquake insurance policy. This type of insurance protects homes in areas with the type of soil that tends to expand and contract depending on the season. It provides coverage for natural disasters not covered under homeowners insurance.

Earth movement policies cover structural issues, including foundation problems and collapses due to soil movement, landslides, or earthquakes. If you live in an area prone to any of these perils, consider getting an earth movement policy to help protect your home.

You can also add a flood insurance policy to protect against expenses related to structural damage or destruction to your home caused by natural flooding. This can include floods caused by hurricanes, heavy rainfall, and other natural disasters. Your independent insurance agent can help you add a flood insurance policy, too.

Why Work with an Independent Insurance Agent?

An independent insurance agent can help ensure you get all the protection you need for structural damage and issues. They'll get you set up with a complete home insurance policy that includes the right amount of dwelling coverage with a deductible that makes the most sense for you. Your agent can shop and compare policies from multiple home insurance companies near you to find the best rate. And down the road, they'll still be there to file home insurance claims for you when necessary.