Can Home Insurance Cover Foundation Repair? What Jamaican Homeowners Need to Know
The comfort and safety of your home often hinges on the foundation it sits on. While your home’s foundation may be out of sight, it should not be out of mind. It’s not immune to damage and can require costly repairs. If you have home insurance or are considering purchasing some coverage for your home, you’ll want to know what is covered and what is not. So, can home insurance cover foundation repair? Here’s what all Jamaican homeowners need to know.
What Causes Foundation Damage?
Several factors can cause foundation damage. Experts believe the number one cause is water or even lack of water.
For example, if the soil under your foundation is saturated with water, it will bloat and cause issues such as uneven support. The soil under your foundation can become swell with water due to many reasons such as exposure to heavy or frequent rainfall and improper drainage.
On the other hand, if the soil is too dry it will shrink and cause damage to your foundation. When soil shrinks, it does not provide the same support it’s supposed to your foundation therefore making it unstable. That can happen because of hot, dry weather.
Besides water, foundation damage can be caused by:
- Sink holes
- Improper construction of the foundation
- Soil composition
- Tree roots
- Movement of the soil
- Type of material used
- Overloading due to renovations
- Size of the foundation
How to Know If Your Foundation is Damaged
We recommend getting an expert to assess whether your foundation is damaged and the extent of the damage.
However, there are some signs you can look out for such as:
- Sinking concrete slabs
- Door jamming or doors not opening and closing properly
- Floor or tile cracks
- Bowing or leaning walls
- Gaps around the exterior doors and window frames
- Cracks on the interior or exterior of your house
- Uneven surfaces
- Door and window openings are out of square
- Musty smells
When Will Home Insurance Cover Foundation Damage and Repair?
Fortunately, homeowners insurance can cover the repairs for foundation damage.
However, it depends on the reason for the damage.
If a covered peril is the reason for the foundation damage then your insurance provider should cover it.
At GenAc, we provide coverage to repair foundation damage for these covered perils:
- Fire & Lightning
- Hurricane, Cyclone, Tornado or Windstorm
- Flood
- Earthquake & Volcanic Eruption
- Malicious Damage
- Explosion
- Impact from Aircraft & other Aerial Devices
- Impact by Road Vehicles, Horses or Cattle
- Bursting or Overflowing of Water Tanks, Apparatus, or Pipes
- Theft
Does Home Insurance Cover Slab Leaks and Cracks?
If you realize you have slab leaks or cracks, you probably wonder if your home insurance will cover it.
Well first let’s define a slab leak since it’s not a commonly known phrase.
A slab leak happens when there is a hole in the copper pipes that run below the concrete foundation. Earthquakes, high water pressure, and the age of the plumbing material are some of the factors that can lead to a slab leak.
Foundation cracks are pretty self-explanatory.
A foundation crack can be caused by several factors such as plumbing leaks, flood, and poor construction.
Your home insurance can cover your slab leak or foundation cracks if caused by a covered peril such as an earthquake.
Foundation Movement and Sagging Floors: Is It Covered?
Foundation movement and sagging floors are problems that require urgent attention.
Your insurance company may help you foot the cost of the repairs. However, that’s only true if your foundation movement and sagging floors are caused by a covered peril. For example, flooding is a covered peril that causes foundation movement and sagging floors.
The Importance of Foundation Maintenance and Inspections
It’s essential to do regular and consistent foundation maintenance and inspections. Remember, the foundation makes your floor, ceiling, and walls sturdy. The foundation keeps your home safe and comfortable to reside in so many ways.
When you fail to do proper and regular foundation maintenance and inspections, you run the risk of having costly repairs that you may have to pay for out of pocket. Remember, small issues with your foundation can become big ones over time.
Fortunately, there you can help to do the maintenance and inspection.
Here are some easy ways to maintain your foundation:
- Make sure your gutters are clean and clear. Improper drainage can cause water to build up around your home and damage your foundation.
- Water outside your home during the dry season. Otherwise, the soil may shrink and cause foundation damage.
- Look for plumbing leaks and get them repaired as soon as possible.
- During periods of heavy rainfall, look into getting a plumbing system to prevent the soil from getting too saturated.
- Make sure trees are at a reasonable distance away from your foundation.
As a homeowner, you can play an active role in inspecting your home for signs of foundation damage.
Check your doors, floors, and walls for signs of foundation damage such as cracks or uneven surfaces.
We recommend doing this regularly and after certain events such as earthquakes or hurricanes when it is safe.
Even though doing maintenance and inspection on your own are important and helpful, we recommend hiring a professional too.
Unfortunately, you or your family could get hurt by damage to your home’s foundation that you may not even know about. Therefore, a professional that does regular foundation inspections even with consistent maintenance.
There are benefits to hiring a professional to regularly inspect your foundation. A professional can:
- Find damage lurking below the surface that is not yet apparent to you
- Catch damage or problematic areas early resulting in less expensive repairs
- Recommend effective preventive measures
- Provide proper documentation of inspection
Steps to Take if You Suspect Foundation Damage
If you suspect foundation damage, it’s important to take swift action.
First, get the damage assessed. You’ll need to contact a licensed engineer or even a home repair expert to do a thorough inspection.
The professional will be able to give you a proper assessment of the damage and advise you on the next steps.
Depending on the inspection results, you can seek an estimate of the damages.
You’ll also want to keep in touch with your insurance company. If your foundation damage is covered by your policy, you can file a claim to get assistance with fixing the damage.
Now is a great time to find out how to file a claim for foundation damage.
How to File a Claim for Foundation Damage
If your foundation damage is caused by a peril covered by your home insurance, it’s time to file a claim with your insurance company.
If you’re a GenAc policyholder, you can file a claim and attach the relevant photographs on our website or simply sign into the MY GENAC Portal.
Feel free to contact us at any of our phone numbers (876) 929-9643, (876) 929-8451, or (876) 929-8454.
If your home is not yet covered, don’t wait until you have foundation damage, sign up with GenAc today and sleep knowing that you and your family are safer.
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