The deck on your home is a component of the structure if attached to the house itself. Damage to it from a covered peril could mean your home insurance company may pay for some of the cost to repair it. Yet, there are some limitations here you simply must know. Take a closer look at when you can file a claim for deck repair or replacement.

Does Home Insurance Cover Decks?

A deck is a structure built onto the front or back of your home. It connects directly to the home. Therefore, it will likely have home insurance, as long as you noted its existence on the policy.

If you have a deck away from the home, perhaps around a pool, your coverage may have limitations depending on if you added it to your policy. However, a traditional deck on the back of your home generally has coverage along the same types as the structure itself. The policy usually covers this under your dwelling insurance.

When Does Home Insurance Cover Your Deck?

The biggest question here is this one. When will your coverage apply? To be clear, it only provides financial compensation in situations where the damage is a covered peril. Covered perils are specific types of incidents. Usually, they are unpredictable and unpreventable. The most common include fire, theft, vandalism, and storm damage. If your deck catches on fire due to a lightning strike, your policy may help cover the incident. If the structure suffers an electrical fire, and the deck has damage, the policy may apply.

But, if the deck begins to wear down due to poor upkeep and maintenance, your insurer is not likely to approve a claim. It is the property owner’s responsibility to provide maintenance and common repairs.

How Much Coverage Will Apply?

Your home insurance may cover replacing the deck if the damage is too much to repair. This decision comes after an inspection occurs on the property. A insurance agent can help determine if you have coverage as well as how much coverage is necessary. Every policy also has an upper limit. If the damage is beyond this, you may not have enough coverage to rebuild the deck.

Are you unsure what your coverage is? Call a home insurance agent at Jean Deese Insurance Agency at (256) 734-8711 . Ask questions about your coverage for the deck. Then, discuss what happened. We can offer clear, concise information about your policy and your coverage.