Your Insurance Attorney in Miami-Dade County understands that filing a homeowners claim for water damage can be stressful and overwhelming especially when that damage also causes foundation issues because not all homeowners policies will cover these problems. Sometimes you need the help of an insurance claim lawyer so you can completely understand your coverage and what you need to do to get your claim approved.
Filing a Homeowners Claim for Water Damage and Foundation Issues
According to an insurance claim lawyer, your homeowners insurance should be your safety net in case something goes wrong at your house or on your property. If something happens that is completely out of your control your policy is there to cover any damages that occur. When you think about your policy coverage, people generally assume that anything that happens at your house is included, but this isn’t always the case. For instance, when it comes to structural and foundation issues, you may not be guaranteed coverage. The reason for this is these issues can be started by a variety of factors, some of which can be controlled and treated before extensive damage is done. This means that even though some of the causes may be covered others may not be.
It all boils down to how the damage to your foundation started. There are a few cases when your homeowners insurance would cover your foundation repairs. For example, if a tornado comes through your area and your property and home are destroyed and need to be rebuilt the repairs to your foundation would be covered under your policy as part of the dwelling repairs. Also, if your foundation is damaged because of another covered issue like a plumbing backup, burst pipe, or fire your homeowners insurance could end up reimbursing you for any repairs that you had to have done as long as they stay within your coverage limits.
On the other hand, there may be times where your policy won’t cover foundation issues. For instance, if there is a flood or earthquake in your area and your foundation suffers damages, the repairs probably won’t be covered since very few homeowners policies cover these disasters. Both of them require separate flood or earthquake insurance. Now if you have these separate policies in addition to your homeowners, there is a chance the foundation issues would be covered. Another thing that your typical homeowners policy won’t cover is natural and general wear and tear. As the years pass your foundation will shift slightly, and this can lead to cracks in the structure. These cracks would not be covered under your policy because similarly to chipping paint an aging foundation is part of the routine maintenance that should be addressed by a homeowner. When this happens, it is important to speak with a contractor or foundation specialist to help you make sure you are taking all precautions necessary to avoid any severe damage.
Contact Us
Your Insurance Attorney is an insurance claim lawyer located in Miami Dade County. We pride ourselves on helping our clients with filing a homeowners claim for water damage and understanding when foundation issues may be covered. Call or visit us today to find out how we can help you!
