If you’re a homeowner, you’ve likely experienced a broken window. Whether it be the result of a stray baseball or a moving accident, it’s possible the window replacement is covered by your insurance. Although a window replacement isn’t necessarily the most expensive project, it’s still a cost that many homeowners aren’t prepared for.
Reading the Insurance Policy
The answer to this question is likely in that long-winded insurance policy you signed. The best place to start when you’re trying to dig up information on this topic is on the “declarations page”. This is where your insurance company discusses limites, covered causes of loss and deductibles.
The first thing you want to find out is if the cause of the window damage is covered. If you took a bat to your window, your insurance company most likely won’t cover it, but if a tree fell through your window, there’s a good possibility it’s covered under your policy.
The Deductible
The deductible on your homeowner’s insurance policy plays a role in what’s covered. For example, let’s say your deductible is $1,000. If three of your windows were damaged with a repair cost of $1,500, your insurance company will cover the difference. You’ll end up paying $500 to repair your windows.
If your losses were larger and expanded beyond the windows, the total loss would be higher. Let’s say you had roof and siding damage as well, resulting in a total loss of $5,000. You would then receive $4,000 from your insurance carrier.
If All Else Fails, Ask
It’s important to have a firm understanding of your homeowner’s insurance policy. When you don’t know what’s covered on your policy, the best thing that you can do is give your insurer a call. Even before you experience a loss such as a broken window, reach out to your insurance carrier and figure out what would be covered. You never know when you may end up with a broken window around your home.
If you don’t like the answers you get from your insurance carrier, change your policy. You always have the option to change your policy to a different carrier or make changes to your current policy so that you can get the coverage you need. There are insurance policies on the market that could cover more and have little to no deductible. With a little research, you can find your perfect policy.
Broken windows are never planned and can cause a strain on your finances, so evaluating your insurance policy is a good idea. If you recently experienced a damaged window, it’s time to comb through that policy of yours! Our team can work with you and your insurance company to repair your window to its original state.