Short Answer: It Depends. Here are some answers to questions we get asked a lot, along with some general information about “insurance coverage and chimney repair.” ”.
As a homeowner, it’s important to understand what your homeowners insurance policy will and won’t cover. One common question is whether chimney repairs are covered. The answer depends on what caused the damage in the first place.
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into chimney repair coverage under a standard homeowners insurance policy. We’ll look at the most common causes of chimney damage and whether repairs would be covered in each scenario. Read on to learn more!
Overview of Homeowners Insurance Coverage
Before diving into chimney repairs specifically, let’s do a quick overview of what’s generally covered by a homeowners insurance policy
There are several standard sections that make up coverage:
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Dwelling – This covers damage to the physical structure of your home.
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Other Structures – This covers things like fences, sheds, and detached garages.
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Personal Property – This covers damage to or loss of your personal belongings inside the home.
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Loss of Use – Provides funds to live elsewhere if your home is uninhabitable after a covered loss.
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Personal Liability – Covers injuries to others that happen on your property.
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Medical Payments – Covers medical bills for others injured on your property.
In standard policies, damage must be sudden and accidental to be covered. Normal wear and tear or home maintenance is not covered.
Chimney Damage From Winter Weather
Freezing temperatures and winter storms are common causes of chimney damage. If ice, snow, or sleet cause your chimney to crack, fall, or collapse, repairs would likely be covered. This type of damage is sudden and accidental.
For example, heavy snowfall could pile up on your chimney and cause it to lean or topple over. Or, thick ice could form inside the flue, expand, and cause cracks or internal damage.
In these scenarios, your homeowners insurance would cover the cost of chimney repairs. They would also cover any damage to your home caused by the falling chimney, like a damaged roof.
Chimney Damage From Trees or Falling Objects
Another common cause of chimney damage is impact from falling trees, branches, or debris. If a storm blows a tree down onto your chimney and causes it to crack or collapse, homeowners insurance would cover repairs. The same is true if any other falling object struck your chimney and caused damage.
Again, this type of sudden, accidental damage is covered. Your insurer would pay for chimney repairs to restore it to its original shape and function. They would also cover any resulting damage to the interior or exterior of your home.
Chimney Fires
Chimney fires are a leading cause of chimney damage. If a fire starts in your chimney, perhaps due to a buildup of creosote, and damages the structure, your policy would cover repairs. This includes damage to the interior flue lining as well as exterior masonry repairs needed after a chimney fire.
The main requirement here is that the damage must directly result from the fire itself. Pre-existing damage that wasn’t related to the fire would not be covered.
Structural Collapse
If part or all of your chimney collapses due to a structural issue, coverage depends on the cause.
For example, if faults in the original construction cause the chimney to collapse, repairs would not be covered. The damage wouldn’t be considered sudden or accidental in this case.
However, if there are clear signs that you made efforts to remedy existing issues before the collapse, the damage could potentially be covered. The claim may cover expenses to rebuild the collapsed section as well as repairs to the resulting interior damage.
But, this scenario has some gray areas, and the claim could be denied. To improve your chances, document any maintenance or repairs you’ve had done to address problems.
Wear and Tear or Improper Maintenance
Normal wear and tear over many years can cause chimneys to deteriorate. If a chimney falls or needs repairs due to prolonged neglect or improper maintenance, homeowners insurance will not pay for repairs.
For example, if mortar joints crumble, bricks fall out, or other damage occurs gradually over time, your insurer will consider this a maintenance issue and deny the claim. Proper chimney maintenance is the homeowner’s responsibility.
How to File a Claim for Chimney Repair
If your chimney sustains sudden damage from a covered cause, here are some tips for filing an insurance claim:
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Document the damage with photos and video before beginning repairs.
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Save any fallen bricks or debris as evidence for the adjuster.
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Get a detailed estimate for repairs from reputable chimney contractors.
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Provide proof that your chimney was properly maintained if there were pre-existing issues.
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Be prepared to make your case if the damage falls into a gray area. Point out relevant facts and details that support it being covered.
With the right documentation and evidence, you can get your claim approved for covered chimney repairs. Just be sure to understand what is and isn’t covered under your specific policy. Maintaining your chimney and making necessary repairs promptly can also minimize damage and claims down the road.
Will homeowners insurance cover the destruction of the chimney cap?
We use the test again: “Is it the result of an event that was covered?” If the wind tore the cover, probably not. But if a tree limb falls on it, probably so. For the record, it’s probably not worth turning in a claim anyway. Since a chimney cover isn’t a big deal, you want to save your insurance for when it really counts. You don’t want to get canceled over a $200 claim.
When is chimney repair covered by home insurance?
Repair is generally covered when there is a loss caused by a sudden and unexpected event. Wear and tear, old age, etc. are not covered. That said, the true devil is in details. And there are always the exceptions.
The Classic Case of Repair. The two classic cases of when a chimney repair is covered is
- when the top is struck by lightning and
- when a chimney fire occurs and causes damage. The common element being that an “event” happened.
Unexpected events that aren’t covered. Remember that something like someone driving their truck into your chimney is not the same thing as an event. This would be covered under the drivers or vehicle owners insurance. Events cannot be intentional. Obviously, you can’t set your house on fire and then get insurance money (without going to jail), and the same goes for making up smaller events. It has to be sudden and unexpected. There are exceptions. Your policy explains what is and is not covered, including exceptions to the rule. Wind damage and flood damage are usually not covered. So if the wind causes chimney damage, the insurance company probably has no responsibility. But if the wind blows down a tree and it hits your chimney, that’s a different story. The tree did it, not the wind, and you might have to file a claim. If the creek rises and erodes the foundation under the chimney, you will probably be on your own again.
Insurance policies make for boring reading, but it’s not that hard to find the information you need. Each point or exception is made on its own, and there are subheadings. Information isn’t buried in long paragraphs that are hard to understand. Do take a look at your policy, especially if there’s wind or flood involved.
How to Make Common Chimney Repairs | Ask This Old House
FAQ
Who is responsible for chimney repair?
Will homeowners insurance cover cracked chimney liner?
Which of these are not usually covered by homeowners insurance?
What happens if a chimney collapses?
Does homeowners insurance cover chimney damage?
Yes, it will. Any damages that occur inside the house due to chimney damage will probably be covered by your homeowners insurance. In this instance, take a picture of the damages and send it to your insurance company, so they may see what they need to repair.
When is a chimney repair covered?
Repair is generally covered when there is a loss caused by a sudden and unexpected event. Wear and tear, old age, etc. are not covered. That said, the true devil is in details. And there are always the exceptions. The Classic Case of Repair. The two classic cases of when a chimney repair is covered is when a chimney fire occurs and causes damage.
Will my insurance pay for chimney repair after a fire?
Getting your insurance to pay for chimney repair after a chimney fire is usually not an issue. The insurance company may refuse to cover the damage every now and then, in which case you’ll have to don your argument hat and defend your case. Don’t take no for an answer; your coverage covers chimney fires.
Does homeowners insurance cover a chimney if lightning strikes?
Lightning strikes and related fire damage would be covered by a standard policy. If lightning strikes your chimney causing it to lose bricks or lean over, homeowners insurance would pay for chimney repairs and damage to your home if your chimney were to collapse.