The short answer is: it depends. Depending on the cause and extent of the damage, your homeowner’s insurance may cover the chimney repair. The company may not cover it if the chimney has been neglected and that neglect has directly led to its state of disrepair.
Either way, a chimney in need of repair is a safety hazard. Its instability can cause it to crumble and collapse. In addition, leaks could occur, which can result in interior water damage. As you can see, addressing an aging or broken chimney in Michigan sooner rather than later can ensure the safety of your home and family.
Chimney Damage: What’s Covered and What’s Not
Read on to learn more about what kinds of chimney damage would be covered by homeowner’s insurance and what likely won’t be.
1. Covered
Most homeowner’s insurance policies have a list of “covered events” in which they will pay out a claim. Such covered events include falling tree limbs, lightning strikes, or severe storm damage. Basically, anything that is considered an “act of God” – usually weather or accident related. These events are typically out of the control of the homeowner.
However, keep in mind the specific events that are covered will vary by insurance company and individual policy, so be sure to call and ask to avoid surprises later.
How much coverage you get for your chimney repair will vary by the type of policy you hold. Some policies won’t cover a complete chimney restoration if extreme age is a factor – such as a chimney that’s more than 20 years old. While they may cover a portion of the repairs, they may not spring for a whole new chimney. Insurance companies base this reasoning on the fact that your chimney has already gone through a lot of wear over the years, which makes it more susceptible to damage.
2. Not Covered
Insurance typically won’t cover damage as a result of poor maintenance, neglect, or normal wear and tear. A chimney that has experienced a fire caused by creosote buildup, for instance, will generally not qualify for insurance coverage. Repair techniques such as tuckpointing to fix aging mortar are also not usually covered under homeowner’s insurance policies.
These are great reasons to hire a chimney repair expert for routine maintenance checks annually.
Homeowner’s Insurance Deductibles and Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Keep in mind, many homeowner’s insurance policies do have a deductible you have to hit that ranges from $500 to $2000, with $1000 being the average. A deductible is what you have to pay out-of-pocket on any insurance claim. Let’s say a home repair costs $10,000 and you have a $1000 deductible; your insurance company will pay $9,000 toward the cost of the repair, while you have to pay the rest.
Many chimney repairs cost much less than most insurance deductibles, which means you probably don’t have to file an insurance claim for damage. A repair bill of $350 will likely have to be paid for out of pocket when a deductible is $500, for instance. For more extensive chimney damage repair in Macomb County, it would make sense to file a claim and get most of it covered by insurance.
Mortar City Masonry Can Handle Your Chimney Insurance Claim
Unsure of the extent and cause of the damage to your chimney? Call us today at 586-533-1305 for expert chimney repair in Michigan. We can provide you with a free quote and consultation on chimney repair, plus we can work with your insurance company to make the process seamless.
