Does Home Insurance Cover Foggy Windows?
Your windows are an important part of your home. They help to keep out the elements, can ensure that the home stays energy efficient, and can look nice as you gaze out the window. With home insurance, we often assume that anything that can go wrong with the home will be covered, even though this is not always the case. When it comes to the windows in your home, this can get even trickier. For example, will your home insurance cover the windows if they are foggy?
Your home insurance will not cover foggy windows in most instances. Foggy windows can be caused by broken window seals, which often happen as the window gets older and has been used for a long time. The window seal is something that the homeowner should fix, though they may not notice the problem until they find moisture or foggy between their double-glazed windows. Since you can fix the seal yourself, this is usually not something that the insurance will cover.
Each home insurance policy is going to be a little bit different and you need to read through that policy to see what is going to be covered. There are times when the home insurance will cover your windows and knowing when they will do this, and for how much, will make a world of difference.
When Will My Insurance Cover Windows?
Whether your windows will be covered by the home insurance policy you choose will depend on what happens to the windows. For example, certain types of natural disasters are going to be considered covered perils under your standard policy while others are not. While each policy is going to be a little different in what they are willing to cover, some of the coverages that are likely under a standard policy will include:
- Falling objects: If there is a stray object that strikes the window and causes it to break, then it is likely you will be covered. This can include your own trees or trees that fall over during the storm from your neighbors home.
- Aircraft damage: While this may not be likely, if there happens to be an airplane that falls out of the sky and crashes into the home to shatter the windows, you are likely to get covered too.
- Vandalism: If someone decides to try and break into your home or does a prank that ends up breaking one or more of your windows, it is likely that the home insurance policy will cover that.
- Water damage; As long as the cause of that water damage is due to a covered peril, such as accumulation of ice and snow that fails to melt quickly, you should be covered under the policy.
- Fire and smoke: This one has a special part in the policy. Not only will your windows have protection against the fire that could destroy and damage them, but they will also be protected against the smoke damage the fire is able to cause as well as water damage that can happen as you try to extinguish the flames of the fire.
- Explosion: Explosions are something that is usually covered under the perils of your insurance policy. If there is an explosion that happens around or in the home that wipes out the windows, then it is likely you will get them covered.
- Certain natural disasters: Your policy will likely cover you for some natural disasters. The area you live in can make a difference in which ones are covered. Most will include things like blizzards, fire, lightning, hail, and windstorms. If one of these happens and it causes damage to the windows, the policy will help you out.
One thing to consider is that most policies are not going to provide you protection from earthquakes and flood damage, even though you can get protection from other natural disasters. If you need special coverage for these, you will need to consider taking out a separate policy for this.
Each policy is going to be unique. Do not assume that you have a certain type of coverage. You will find out at the worst possible time when that does happen. Instead, give your insurance agent a call whenever you have a question or to go through and discuss the policy with them to keep your home and windows safe.
Keeping Your Windows Safe
It is a good idea to be proactive about taking care of your windows. The right care to the windows can prevent fog from getting inside and will keep everything safe as well. This will help make sure that the windows will last for as long as you need them, without having to worry about whether the insurance will cover them or not.
