Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Structural Damage?

Standard homeowners insurance policies usually cover structural damage on your property. This includes your foundation, ceiling, flooring, roof and more. Your policy protects these structures under dwelling coverage in the event of unexpected damage.

Keep in mind that you are expected to do the necessary maintenance on your home. This means that general wear and tear damages are not covered by your policy. However, if you can make your case, you can get away with getting coverage on wear and tear damage if you can prove that the damage was completely invisible.

The dwelling coverage from your homeowners insurance policy covers damages to the structure in your property due to weather damage, vandalism, explosion and other natural calamities. You’ll be protected if any of these listed hazards cause the damage.

Keep in mind that some perils may not be covered by insurance. For example, your insurance policy won't cover the damages that are caused by poor design or substandard materials.

There are several situations when structures might not be covered by your homeowners insurance. Some include poor workmanship, neglect of your home or issues in your foundation. For instance, homeowners insurance doesn’t cover damage from rotting wood or mold, especially if you were aware of it and did not do anything to prevent the damage from occurring.

While the best homeowners insurance protects you financially, it’s better to avoid damages to the structure of your home in the first place. Ensuring the structure's safety includes preparing for extreme weather conditions by maximizing security.

MoneyGeek explains preventive measures that can help you increase the safety of your home.

You can buy homeowners insurance from most major insurers such as Progressive, State Farm or GEICO. Many smaller insurers, such as Hippo or Lemonade, also offer homeowners insurance. MoneyGeek highly recommends shopping around for home insurance to get the best provider for your needs.

Usually, people in the U.S. pay $175 per month for homeowners insurance. However, the actual rate varies. See how much you might pay for a policy by using MoneyGeek’s personal property calculator below.