Does Home Insurance Cover Broken Windows?

Does Home Insurance Cover Broken Windows?

Depending on what caused the harm, a shattered window may or may not be covered. Your homeowner's insurance policy often covers either named-peril or open-peril damage. If your window breaks as a result of one of the stated risks included in the insurance, it is covered. Other homeowner plans include open-peril coverage, which means that if a loss is not specifically excluded, it should be covered.

What Damaged the Windows, and Why?

Depending on how the window was harmed, your homeowner's insurance may or may not cover your shattered window:

The usual dangers covered by homeowners insurance include theft, fire, hail, vandalism (including damage from break-ins), bad weather, and more. Check with your insurer to ensure the damage was brought on by one of the listed perils before making a claim. A repair estimate can also assist you in determining whether the charges will go beyond your deductible.

A neighbor breaks your window. Under their personal liability policy, your neighbor's homeowners or renter's insurance should cover the cost of replacing the window they damaged. Ask your neighbor to reimburse the cost of repairs if they don't have liability insurance. You could possibly be able to file a lawsuit if they refuse and you have evidence that they damaged the window.

Say a member of your family damages a neighbor's window: Let's say your child throws a ball over the fence, and it breaks the window of a neighbor. Liability protection under your homeowner's policy may then come into play.

Which Insurance Policies Provide Protection For Shattered Windows?

Six major coverage kinds often referred to as Coverages A through F and are typically included in homeowner insurance contracts. Your dwelling coverage (Coverage A), other structures coverage (Coverage B), or liability coverage may all provide coverage for broken windows, depending on the extent of the damage (Coverage E). Here's when these various window damage coverages might be applicable.

Windows that are a structural component of your home are covered by Coverage A for dwellings.

Other structures coverage: Coverage B would apply if the damaged window was on a separate building on your property, like a detached garage or storage shed.

Liability insurance: Coverage E safeguards you in the event that you or a member of your family unintentionally destroys someone else's window.

Your level of protection against your specific broken window situation may depend on your policy's deductibles and coverage limits, or you may be better off paying for the repairs out of cash.