Windows may be made to last, but that doesn’t mean that they are completely invulnerable. There’s a good chance that you will have to deal with broken windows, but there are plenty of ways to make the expenses more manageable. The question is: does your homeowner’s insurance count as one of those?
Open Peril vs. Named Peril Policies
Your homeowner’s insurance may cover the installation of replacement windows depending on the type of policy you have. For example, named peril policy will only cover the replacement if the cause of damage was specifically mentioned. Open peril policies will cover the replacement as long as the cause of damage was specifically excluded.
Not Much for Wear and Tear
Homeowner’s insurance policies are mostly designed to help you deal with unexpected (but necessary) repairs or replacements. Experts on windows say that if your windows got damaged by debris crashing into it during a windy storm, you’re likely to be covered. On the other hand, replacing old windows that have already been through years of wear and tear are rarely, if ever, covered by homeowner’s insurance.
Deductible Matters
Insurance policies will always have a deductible, which you will have to pay with your own money. The deductible’s amount greatly depends on your policy’s specific terms. If the cost of replacement is lower or only slightly higher than the deductible, you’re pretty much just paying for everything out of pocket and there’s no point making a claim.
Watch Your Insurance Rates
You always have to consider how your claim will affect your insurance rate. This is especially important when making a claim for replacement windows: one big claim takes less work to process than several smaller ones spaced out over the next few months. Multiple small-scale claims could cause your insurance rates to increase as they require more paperwork on the insurance provider’s side.
Need more help with replacing your windows? Get in touch with us. Renewal by Andersen® of St. Louis is the most trusted window company in Chesterfield and other parts of Missouri. You can call us at (314) 332-2364 or fill out this contact form to request a quote.
