Your driveway has a large crack running through it. Someone could trip and suffer a significant injury from this. Yet, the cost to make the repairs is high. Could your home insurance help you?
As a component of the structure of your property, your driveway may have some coverage under your policy. However, there are limits you should know about before filing a claim. Here are the details.
A Tree Cracks the Driveway as It Falls
A storm causes the tree to fall onto your driveway. A large crack forms. It is going to take replacing the driveway to get the crack fixed. In this case, your home insurance may cover the repair cost. The key here is that there was no way for you to know the damage could occur. It was accidental and unavoidable. In this case, your policy may be available because the driveway is typically a component of the home's structure. Policies do differ here, however.
Other Damage to the Driveway
Just like with any other structure in your home, it is up to you to maintain your driveway. If you fail to do so and then suffer a loss, the insurer may not offer coverage. For example, heat and freezing can cause the driveway to buckle over time. If this damage is due to a broken pipe underneath the driveway or from soil erosion, your policy may not offer coverage. It can be hard to know when your coverage applies. Knowing the underlying cause of the damage becomes critical.
Another Factor - The Type of Repairs Available
If it is possible to repair your driveway, your insurer is likely to pay for this type of service — provided you file a claim. On the other hand, if the damage is severe, your insurer may recommend replacing the driveway in full. Note that the insurer may only replace the portion damaged, not the whole driveway.
In other cases, patching may be an option. If this is an option to bring the property back to a safe level, this is what the insurer will cover.
Do you have the right type of coverage? Work with your Lancette Agency representative to gather more insight. Your agent might be able to come to your home to inspect the damage. This can give you more information as to what your options are for repair or replacement.
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