A home is a big investment that might engage you for decades. It’s reasonable for issues with your home’s foundation to cause you anxiety.
If something were to happen to your foundation, is your family’s biggest investment going to surprise you with hidden costs that are not covered by homeowner’s insurance?
Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover Foundation Issues?
Does home insurance cover foundation damage? In our experience the answer is no – home insurance policies rarely cover foundation repairs.
If you believe you have been wronged by the seller or builder of your home and are wanting unbiased, expert opinion – consider contacting a structural engineer. There will be a cost associated with an engineer’s report, but it could provide evidence that the repair could have been avoided.
We are not legal experts. Refer to your insurance policy for information about your policy content.
When Homeowner’s Insurance May Cover Foundation Repairs
It’s possible that foundation repair could be covered by your homeowner’s insurance if the settlement was caused by a plumbing leak. However, that would require plumbing to be covered by your homeowner’s insurance. The same scenario could apply if your insurance covers another risk, like an explosion or fire, that causes foundation damage.
Some other situations that your homeowner’s insurance might cover include damage from an aircraft, falling objects, civil disturbances, vandalism, or even vehicle damage. Refer to your policy for information about your accepted and non-accepted risk events.
In some select cases, a brand new home (less than 10 years old) may hold a warranty through the home builder. You would need to reach out to the home builder for more information about your unique case.
If you have a foundation repair warranty through a repair contractor, reach out to them about warranty coverage.
When Homeowner’s Insurance May Not Cover Foundation Repairs
Many homeowner’s insurance policies don’t cover disasters like flooding, earthquakes, or even general wear and tear. Many times, insurance won’t provide coverage for tree root damage, bad construction, or natural settling and cracking either.
Again, we remind you that we are not legal experts. Please refer to your insurance policy for information about your terms.
Potential Causes of Foundation Problems
There are several signs of foundation issues that could signal deeper underlying causes.
Soil Movement
Natural soil settlement can sometimes cause minor foundation problems. More dramatic soil movement, whether from earthquakes, poor drainage and grading, or other water damage can cause costly problems. Foundation erosion repair strategies can be used to slow or stop this problem, but many times the damage is already done.
Water Damage
Sometimes flooding from sprinklers or torrential downpours can lead to foundation water damage. Plumbing leaks or backups can also be the culprit behind a damaged foundation. This can require plumbing repair and foundation repairs.
Tree Roots
Roots from trees and large bushes can exert a significant force on building foundations and walls. This pressure can directly harm your foundation or displace soil near your foundation that causes indirect damage. Using a root protection barrier in Houston can sometimes help prevent this issue.
Poor Construction Practices
Causes of cracks in concrete foundations can sometimes be due to too much water in a cement mixture, or walls that were erected too rapidly. Building a home on an uneven subgrade can also lead to costly problems during the life of the home.
Contact URETEK Gulf Coast for Help with Foundation Repairs and Financing
URETEK Gulf Coast offers Houston foundation repair from experienced technicians. Whether the fix calls for foam jacking or pressed pilings, URETEK has you covered.
Contact us today for a free estimate on your foundation remediation project!
The information provided on this page does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this page are for general informational purposes only.