Discovering your house has foundation damage can be stressful and expensive. Naturally, one of the first questions homeowners ask is whether their insurance will cover the cost. While a standard policy does not always take care of foundation repairs, there are specific situations where your insurer may pay for part or all of the work.
Can Insurance Help When Your Foundation Fails?
Your insurer may agree to cover your foundation repairs if the damage results from a “sudden and accidental” event listed in your policy. Once you notice a problem, act quickly to file your claim and prevent further problems.
Examples of these covered perils include:
- Burst or leaking plumbing pipes that lead to water damage
- Explosions or fire that compromise your home’s structure
- Fallen trees or debris impacting the foundation
- Vehicle collisions that strike your home
- Wind, hail, or storm damage that weakens the structure
- Vandalism resulting in structural harm
Reasons Insurance Won’t Cover Foundation Damage
Many foundation problems develop slowly due to time and neglect. Insurance generally will not pay for issues caused by:
- Poor drainage or standing water
- Soil settling or shifting due to natural conditions
- Long-term moisture exposure or high humidity
- Tree root intrusion near the foundation
- Mold, wood rot, or termite damage
- Normal aging and wear
In these cases, insurance companies view the damage as issues stemming from a lack of maintenance instead of an unforeseeable accident. Routine inspections and preventive care are critical for addressing minor issues before they escalate.
What the Claims Process Might Entail
Here’s what to do if you believe your foundation damage resulted from a covered event.
- Document everything. Take photos or videos of visible cracks, leaks, or structural changes.
- Contact your insurance provider. Report the damage as soon as possible and request an inspection.
- Get a professional foundation assessment. Crawl Space Ninja can inspect your crawl space and foundation to determine the cause of the damage and provide a detailed repair estimate for your insurer.
- Review your policy carefully. Understand what it covers and excludes, and whether you have additional riders for things like water damage or earthquakes.
How to Prevent Non-Covered Foundation Damage
Even if your insurance doesn’t cover every cost, Crawl Space Ninja can minimize your out-of-pocket expenses with customized foundation repair and crawl space solutions. The secret is controlling moisture, since excess water and poor drainage are leading causes of foundation issues.
We take a multifaceted, proactive approach.
- Crawl space encapsulation: Sealing your crawl space to block ground moisture and humidity before it reaches your foundation.
- Yard drainage improvements: Installing French drains, dry wells, or sump pumps to divert water away from your home.
- Dehumidifiers and moisture barriers: Maintaining healthy humidity levels to stop wood rot, mold, and pest activity.
- Regular inspections: Identifying early warning signs – like small cracks, water pooling, or soft soil – before they snowball out of control.
Our experts will identify the root cause of the damage – whether it’s moisture, drainage issues, or structural weakening – and fix it correctly to prevent future problems. We also offer an exclusive limited lifetime warranty for added peace of mind, ensuring your foundation remains stable for years.
Protect Your Home From the Ground Up
Homeowners insurance does not always cover foundation repair, but our experts can reduce your risks and keep your home structurally sound. Request your quote today and learn more about your repair and protection options.