If you own a home, you likely have a home insurance policy for financial protection against damage caused by fire, theft, or some other unexpected event. Which means you may be wondering where your windows fit into the equation and when (or if) your policy covers the cost of replacing them.

In this blog, we will break down the basics of home insurance coverage for windows—including what qualifies as actual damage as opposed to normal wear and tear—to help you gain a better understanding of what to expect when a window replacement becomes necessary.

How was the window damaged?

If you accidentally break your window doing home repairs or your little one sends a baseball sailing into your living room, chances are good you will have to pay out of pocket to repair it, since most policies do not cover accidental breakage. (Side note: If you break someone else’s window, your policy can help you pay for the damage with liability coverage.)

The same can be said for windows damaged by mold or rot or for windows with broken seals. These are considered general wear and tear and the responsibility falls to the homeowner to prevent them with everyday upkeep and ongoing maintenance. If they fail to do so, and the windows become unusable, the owner is responsible for the repair and/or replacement costs.

The majority of standard homeowners insurance policies do, however, cover the cost of replacing windows that have been broken or impaired by fire, weather damage (e.g., a hail storm or high winds), break-ins, and vandalism.

Where is the window located?

It may sound like a silly question, but window damage doesn’t always happen in the primary structure on the property. You may have a guest house or a shed whose windows have been damaged, either separately from or in addition to your main house. In these cases, you’ll be happy to know that the same rules generally apply.

Do you actually live in your home?

If not, repairing or replacing your damaged windows might get tricky. That’s because a lot of home insurance policies will not cover damage to your windows (or any other part of the house, for that matter) if you don’t actually reside there or if it’s been vacant for a certain amount of time. In these cases, a vacant home insurance policy may come in handy.

Can your home warranty help?

Typically, no. Even if you have a separate home warranty policy, you will still have to pay out of pocket for window damage that is not already covered by your existing home insurance policy. Home warranty policies usually only cover major appliances and systems and not structural features such as windows and doors.

Need new windows? Get a fast, free estimate.

Even if your window repair or replacement project is not covered by your home insurance policy, XO windows can help you get the beautiful new windows you want at an affordable price. As the largest window distributor in the state, we are always looking for ways to better serve our customers and save them money.

If you need assistance choosing your new windows, or you simply want to hear more about your options for window replacement, we will walk you through your project so you can be sure you are getting the right windows for your specific design style and measurements. And with our ongoing special offers, you can rest assured you are getting a great deal as well as a quality window.

Contact us today for your free estimate!