Does Home Insurance Cover Chimney Damage
This is a question that is asked often. The basic answer is yes, your homeowner’s insurance will cover if repairs are needed due to damage. Every insurance company is different, so we suggest that you contact your personal home insurance company to check on this. Make sure you read your policy as there are specifics as to what is a covered event. However, many insurance companies will not cover damage if you have not kept up with the general maintenance of your chimney. This includes an annual chimney sweep and chimney inspection. Contact your agent so you won’t get any surprises if something happens.
If your chimney has a build-up of creosote due to lack of regular maintenance, chances are damages such as fire will not be covered. The upkeep of your chimney is very important. Make your appointment for your annual chimney sweep and inspection with Chimney Specialists Inc. today.
What Is Normally Covered By Insurance?
Remember to contact your insurance company and be well-read regarding what is covered and what is not. We can’t emphasize this more; you must keep up with the general maintenance of your chimney. This way the insurance company can’t deny due to lack of maintenance.
Most homeowners’ insurance built into their policies coverage for normal wear and tear and damages that are unexpected.
- Chimney Fires, some.
- Lightning Strikes
- Fallen tree damage
- Earthquakes
- Hailstorms
- Wind damage from storms
When Will Your Homeowners Insurance Not Cover Damage?
Don’t think that homeowner’s insurance will always come through for you. Check your coverage to be sure. Damage that could have been prevented, most likely will not be covered. Check with your insurance company for full details on what is not covered. Here are a few things that may prevent you from coverage.
- Poorly maintained or neglected.
- The chimney is due for improvements.
- Major chimney fires due to excessive creosote build-up.
- Chimney leaning to one side.
- Crumbling and deterioration of bricks and mortar.
- The chimney structure has collapsed
- Water damage if excessive. This may be due to faulty masonry, chimney crowns, flashing, and caps.
- Damage to the inside of your home due to years of acidic creosote buildup.
What Can I Expect for Costs?
According to experts, chimney repairs can range from $160-$750. If a full replacement is needed, you can expect to pay anywhere between $4,000 and $10,000.
For this reason, it is important to keep up with a regular schedule of cleaning and chimney inspection. As you can see, the cost to completely rebuild in comparison to a simple fix is quite different. In order to avoid problems with your chimney and to avoid insurance not paying for any damage, annual chimney sweeps and chimney inspections are very important.
It may be time for you to contact us at Chimney Specialists Inc.
CHIMNEY SPECIALISTS INC. prides itself on offering customers and contractors in the tri-state area of northeast Iowa, northwest Illinois, and southwest Wisconsin, complete installation service, nationally certified technical experts, a huge selection of quality stoves and fireplaces, and of course, competitive pricing. Contact us today!
