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Frequent window repairs and replacements can make a dent in your savings. But what if you have home insurance? Does your policy cover window replacements?
Well, it depends on a variety of factors. Renewal By Andersen® of Cincinnati, your local window replacement company, elaborates below.
There are two types of insurance policies: open-peril and named-peril. A named-peril policy only protects insured properties against a specific range of threats. Whether or not a window replacement is covered depends on the listed threats.
Open-peril policies, on the other hand, protect an insured property against a wide range of threats. As such, there’s a good chance your policy will cover replacement windows if you have an open-peril policy.
Keep in mind that home insurance companies may not cover damage caused by accidents. If your windows were broken by a ladder that was knocked down by hail, the damage would technically have been caused by an accident. As such, the window replacement costs won’t be covered. On the other hand, if the window was damaged directly by the hail itself, you’ll probably be covered.
Just because your insurance policy covers the replacement costs doesn’t mean you won’t have to pay out-of-pocket for anything. Home insurance policies usually have a deductible, which is an amount you’ll have to pay before the funds are released. Deductibles vary from insurer to insurer. But in general, the higher the deductible, the lower your premium is.
Several factors can force you to pay out-of-pocket for replacement costs. One of them is lack of maintenance. For example, a window damaged by a piece of debris that was swept up by storm winds would be classified as storm damage and therefore covered by your policy. However, insurers won’t replace a window that’s leaking because its sealing wasn’t maintained.
Insurers also won’t replace windows that have been damaged by natural wear and tear. While quality windows should last for a long time, they’ll deteriorate sooner than expected if they’re not suited to your particular climate.
For example, the Midwest experiences weather extremes from scorching summers to harsh winters. As such, windows made of conductive materials would be a poor choice. Heat can easily be transferred or leak through conductive materials, which may increase your heating and cooling costs.
That’s why homeowners would benefit immensely from installing energy-efficient doors and windows. We recommend homeowners in Ohio and the southern Midwest install windows with a solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) and U-value of 0.3 or lower.
The SHGC indicates the amount of solar heat that can pass through window glass. The lower the SHGC, the less heat that passes through the window. Meanwhile, the U-value is a measurement of a window’s insulation capabilities. The lower the U-value, the better a window insulates. A window contractor can help you pick a window that is suited to your local climate.
Insurers are also unlikely to replace windows that were damaged due to installation errors. One advantage Renewal by Andersen has over other manufacturers is our one-company accountability approach. From the window design and manufacturing process to the installation in your home, our company handles every step, giving us complete quality control.
Whether you’re installing new sliding patio doors or custom windows, you can be sure each Renewal by Andersen window and door will be a great fit for your home. Want to learn more about your window and door options?
You can call Renewal by Andersen of Cincinnati at (866) 609-5033 or leave us a message on this page. We offer a wide variety of premium windows and doors, including custom windows and French patio doors. We serve homeowners in Cincinnati, OH, and nearby areas.