Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Chimney Repairs?
There are several manners in which chimneys become damaged. Some undergo wear and tear over the years, especially when they are not adequately maintained. Others are damaged by natural disasters, such as fires, being struck by lightning, or by having a tree fall on them during a storm. Our team often receives calls requesting chimney repairs. Many clients ask if homeowners insurance covers chimney repairs. Today, we’ll answer that question and give advice on how to avoid chimney damage.
Now, we’ll discuss whether or not homeowners insurance covers chimney repairs.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Chimney Repairs?
The answer to this question is, “it depends!” The best source of information is your homeowner insurance company, so we recommend starting by making that phone call.
Generally, homeowners insurance covers chimney damage if it is caused by a natural disaster that is outside of your control, or even an accident such as a fire. Again, the best source of information for your insurance questions is your insurance company.
Homeowners insurance usually does not cover chimney damage resulting in wear and tear, however. The good news is that damage caused by natural wear and tear is preventable if you maintain your chimney.
How to Prevent Damaged Caused by Wear and Tear
Here are some short term steps that you can take to avoid costly damage down the road.
Get Your Chimney Inspected Annually
An annual chimney inspection will help you to avoid serious dangers, such as chimney fires and carbon monoxide poisoning by making sure that your chimney is up to code. Chimney inspectors often identify problem areas during their inspections that help homeowners to make necessary repairs before conditions worsen. We recommend hiring a CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) sweep to do the job!
Have Your Chimney Swept Annually, or As Needed
Chimney sweeps are crucial in removing built up creosote from your chimney. We recommend having your chimney swept each year, or as needed.
If you are wondering “Should I waterproof my chimney?,” the answer is “yes!” This will protect it from the harsh New England elements, keeping the masonry strong over the years. In addition, it will prevent those unattractive white streaks (called “efflorescence”) from showing up.
Make Sure That You Have a Chimney Cap
Chimney caps are an easy win that will keep precipitation, debris, and animals out of your chimney. If your chimney does not yet have one, consider having a chimney cap installed as soon as possible. Check out our chimney cap guide for answers to all of your chimney cap questions!
Though this list of chimney damage prevention tips is by no means exhaustive, we hope that it gives you some easy steps to take to avoid expensive damage down the road.
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