Does Renters Insurance Cover Broken Windows?

A shattered window in your own home is not covered by renters insurance. However, personal liability coverage in your policy will cover damage to someone else's window if you are found to be the guilty party.

A renters insurance coverage will cover your personal belongings, personal responsibility, and additional living expenses if you need to relocate. At the same time, your rental property is fixed, but it will not cover maintenance issues. Damage to the building's physical structure, such as a broken window, is covered by landlord insurance.

However, if you shatter a window on someone else's property by accident, the personal liability section of your renter's insurance policy might cover the repair costs.

When Does Renters Insurance Cover a Damaged Window?

Pest damage, broken built-in appliances, and broken windows are typically the landlord's duty.

However, if you or a family member breaks a neighbor's window and is held responsible, your renter's insurance may reimburse the cost.

Personal Responsibility Insurance With Shattered Glass

Your liability policy may cover your legal costs if you're liable for bodily injury or property damage. That implies that if you shatter someone else's window, your renter's insurance may cover the cost of replacement. If you're found to be accountable for the damage after filing a claim, they'll reimburse you for the cost of the window up to your policy's limit of liability.

If you were golfing in your backyard and hit a golf ball through your neighbor's window, your renter's insurance coverage would pay for a new window if you made a claim. If someone damages your window and has renters insurance, their liability provision should cover the cost of replacing it. To do so, they must claim with their renter's insurance carrier.

Coverage For Loss Of Usage and Smashed Windows

If your house becomes uninhabitable, your renter's policy's loss-of-use or additional living expenses provision protects you. Your renter's insurance loss-of-use coverage will pay you to stay somewhere else. At the same time, your rental property is being fixed if your window is broken and there is additional damage to the point where it is unsafe or uninhabitable.

How To Make A Claim For A Damaged Window On Your Renter's Insurance

If your window has been shattered due to a break-in, you should immediately contact the police and file a police report. After that, you should notify your landlord of the break-in so that they can protect the property.

If you shatter someone else's window and want to file a claim, take photos of the broken window and any other damage since your renter's insurance company will require proof.

After that, you should contact your insurance company. Most renters' insurance policies require you to file a claim within 24 to 72 hours of the incident. To make the process go more smoothly, make sure you have the following items on hand:

Your policy number or the declarations page of your insurance policy
According to the police report (if you filed one)
Damage documentation (photographs, videos, and receipts if you're claiming theft)
A phone number where you may be reached quickly

When you file a claim, your insurance company will assign you a claims adjuster who will begin researching your claim to see if it is genuine and covered under your policy. The inquiry can take weeks, depending on the extent of the damage or occurrence. You should get a period from your insurance, so you have a clearer understanding of what to expect.

Consider Enlisting an Insurance Lawyer to Make Your Insurance Claim

Sadly, insurance companies pay hundreds of millions of dollars each year for favorable laws and rulings from judges. In that regard, property insurance companies are not in the business of paying valid insurance claims. My extensive experience only helps consumers hire an experienced lawyer before making an insurance claim.

Enlisting a highly skilled lawyer early generally provides the following benefits: