Understanding wear and tear when it comes to your home insurance is important. Let me tell you why…
A few years ago, my home had a pretty bad water leak. It caused a lot of damage to the walls, floors, and an almost brand-new sofa. So, as you would, I contacted my insurance provider, hoping I’d be covered for the lot. However, I was told that my policy only covered sudden and accidental damage.
‘But surely this is exactly what’s happened?’ I thought…
After taking a look at the damage, it was determined that the leak was caused by old, corroded pipes. This damage fell under the category of wear and tear, which my policy did not cover. My claim was denied, leaving me with a pretty hefty repair bill. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement.
So, I learned an important lesson from this whole incident about the wear and tear concept in home insurance. It's super important to know what your policy covers and what it doesn't so you don't get caught off guard when you need to file a claim.
In the following sections, I’ll talk about the basic principles of home insurance and delve into specific coverage for common wear and tear issues.
Alright, let’s dive in.
What is Wear and Tear?
Wear and tear is the gradual damage that happens to your home and belongings over time from normal use and ageing. This includes issues like peeling paint, worn flooring, and appliances breaking. Although wear and tear may be unavoidable, it isn't covered by home insurance because it's expected and can be managed by the homeowner.
Home insurance is meant to protect you from sudden and unexpected problems like fires, theft, or storm damage. These issues are unpredictable and can cause major damage to your property. Insurance companies see wear and tear as a normal part of owning a home and believe it’s the homeowner's responsibility to maintain their property.
Optional Coverage for Wear and Tear
Different policies can cover different things. Some might offer extra coverage for wear and tear through add-ons or special conditions. These extra options can cover specific issues related to wear and tear, such as plumbing problems or appliances that stop working. However, these add-ons usually cost more and must be clearly added to your policy.
Review Your Policy
It’s important to review your policy and talk to your insurance provider to ensure you understand what your home insurance covers. They can explain what's covered, including any extra options for wear and tear.
Maintaining Your Property
Even though you may find cover for wear and tear, it's still a good idea to keep up with maintenance and repairs to avoid any problems. After all, an old leaky pipe will still cause you significant hassle, even if you don’t have to pay fully for the repairs. Taking care of your home and its features can help reduce wear and tear and prolong its lifespan.
Knowing about the impact of wear and tear will help you make better decisions to protect your home. So, always check your policy, consider extra coverage for specific wear and tear problems, and keep up with regular maintenance. Doing this will ensure you have the right coverage and keep wear and tear costs down.
What You Need to Know About Coverage for Common Wear and Tear Issues
OK, so you might be thinking, ‘Great, I can get coverage for wear and tear. Is there a policy that covers the lot?’. The answer is that it is unlikely that you will find a policy that covers every single potential wear and tear issue. Well, not cheaply, anyway. However, if you knew about the common wear and tear issues that can arise, you might be better placed to find suitable coverage and/or prevent them in the first place.
Let’s start with drains…
Are Blocked Drains Covered by Home Insurance?
Not only are blocked drains an issue by themselves, but they can also lead to further water damage to your property. Does your insurance policy cover this issue?
It depends!
If your drain becomes blocked due to an incident outside of your control, you’re more likely to be covered by building insurance. Can you think of a scenario where an accident results in a blocked drain, though? A blocked drain is more likely to be due to either misuse or lack of maintenance. The insurer would classify this as wear and tear, and you would not be covered on most standard policies.
It’s a good idea to check whether your drains are made from pitch fibre. These were fitted in houses between 1950 and 1970 and are thought to have a lifespan of 40 years. After this time they are prone to issues which lead to blockages, overflows and leaks.
To get specific cover for blocked drains on your home insurance, you would need to contact your insurance provider to discuss the coverage being included as a wear and tear ‘add-on’ to your policy, likely at an extra cost.
Does Home Insurance Cover Bathroom Leaks?
Like blocked drains, bathroom leaks can cause significant damage to your property, including water damage to walls, floors, and fixtures. Your policy's coverage for bathroom leaks can also vary. Some policies may cover the cost of repairing the leak and the resulting damage, while others may classify it as wear and tear and exclude it.
You must check your policy and contact your insurance provider to determine the coverage for bathroom leaks. If not covered, it may be possible to include the coverage as a wear and tear ‘add-on’ to your policy, likely at an extra cost.
Foggy Windows and Home Insurance: What You Need to Know
Foggy windows can be a common issue in homes, especially in older properties. They occur when the seal between the glass panes fails, allowing moisture to enter and cause condensation. Insurance coverage for broken windows may depend on certain criteria, such as the age of the windows and the cause of the fogging. If you’ve only recently had the windows installed and have this issue, it would be worth checking the manufacturer's warranty before going to your insurer.
The most common cause for foggy windows is simply age. You can expect around 20 years out of your standard double-glazed windows. Older windows that have broken window seals are unlikely to be covered by a standard insurance policy, as this would be classified as wear and tear. To be sure, you’d need to check your policy. If foggy windows are not covered, you may be able to add this cover to your policy by contacting your insurance provider. Most add-ons will increase your premium.
Homeowners Insurance and Pipe Replacement: Coverage Explained
Most of us would rather avoid the cost of replacing pipes, especially if it includes the main water supply or sewer lines. If your pipes got damaged and you had to replace them, let's say while you were building an extension to your home, it's likely that your home insurance policy will cover it. Why? Because it's viewed as sudden and unexpected damage.
However, damaged pipes due to corrosion are likely to be put down to wear and tear, which most standard policies will not cover.
It’s better to be safe than sorry. Contact your insurance provider and get a clear picture from them of what is covered when it comes to pipe replacement. It is likely you will need to apply an add-on for wear and tear at an extra cost. Even then, not all providers will offer this option.
Window Replacement and Home Insurance: Are You Covered?
Window replacement can be necessary for various reasons, such as storm damage or wear and tear over time. As is the running theme with these common issues, window damage due to wear and tear is likely not covered under a standard insurance policy. You would need to contact your insurance provider to discuss your policy and request this specific cover as an add-on.
If the damage was caused by storm damage or natural disaster, then it is likely to be covered because the damage was sudden and unexpected. However, if the windows show signs of wear and tear and a storm damages them further, revealing the damage, the insurer is likely to deny a claim due to the pre-existing wear and tear damage. This is why it is very important to keep an eye on these key areas around your house.
Water Pipe Leaks: Does House Insurance Provide Protection?
Water pipe leaks can significantly damage your property, leading to water damage, mould growth, and structural issues. Some of the most common causes of leaky pipes are broken seals, corrosion, damaged joints, and fixture cracks. The root cause of these is… That’s right, you got it: wear and tear over time!
Therefore, it is unlikely that this will be covered by the standard policy. You’d need to contact your insurance provider and discuss whether pipe leak coverage can be added to your policy.
Chimney and Foundation Repairs: Understanding Your Home Insurance Coverage
Chimney and foundation repairs can be costly but necessary to maintain your home's structural integrity. Those who own chimneys are likely aware of the maintenance requirements, especially if they frequently use a fireplace. Typically, a chimney sweep will visit once a year for cleaning and will flag any issues.
A standard insurance policy is unlikely to cover chimney damage due to wear and tear. You would need to speak with your insurance provider to arrange to add cover.
Why Would You Be Refused Home Insurance? Understanding Policy Limitations
Being refused home insurance due to wear and tear is generally related to the overall condition of the property at the time of the insurance application.
Insurance companies may ask to check out properties or ask for photographs of the property before agreeing to provide coverage. If they see a lot of wear and tear, it might mean the property hasn’t been maintained properly, which could increase the risk of future claims. If that’s the case, insurers might refuse to cover the property because they believe there’s a high chance of issues that they don’t cover, such as damages due to gradual deterioration (wear and tear).
If an insurance company thinks that a property has a higher risk of damages, they might still offer coverage, but they'll charge you higher premiums. Or they may only cover parts of the property that aren't affected by wear and tear. Sometimes, they'll even require some specific maintenance work to be done before they agree to cover you.
To avoid being refused insurance or paying higher than normal premiums, it’s important to regularly maintain your property and address any issues related to ageing or wear and tear quickly. Doing so not only helps maintain the property's value and safety but also ensures it meets the standards required by insurers.
Preventative Measures and Maintenance
While add-ons to your policy are possible, they can be costly, and not all insurers will allow them. So, it’s best to take preventative measures and keep up with maintenance around your home where necessary.
Here are some quick tips on preventing common wear and tear issues.
Blocked drains
Regular cleaning of drain stoppers in sinks and showers to remove hair and debris
Avoid flushing non-degradable items like cooking grease down the drains
Foggy Windows
Ensure that window seals are intact and replace them if they show signs of damage
Use a dehumidifier in areas prone to high humidity to reduce condensation build-up
Pipe Replacement
Check pipes annually for signs of corrosion or damage, especially in older homes.
Consider installing pipe insulation to prevent freezing and bursting in cold weather.
Window Replacement
Regularly check for cracks, drafts, and frame damage.
Replace single-pane windows with double or triple-pane versions to improve insulation and reduce wear.
Water Pipe Leaks
Monitor water pressure to ensure it is not too high, as excessive pressure can strain pipes.
Make sure you know where the main water shut-off valve is so that you can quickly shut off your water when leaks occur.
Chimney and Foundation Repairs
Schedule annual inspections of the chimney and foundation by professionals to identify early signs of damage.
Ensure proper drainage around the home’s foundation to prevent water damage and structural issues.
Keeping up with regular maintenance and catching problems early on can save you from costly repairs down the road, especially if they are not covered by your insurance.
Navigating Insurance Claims for Wear and Tear
Before making an insurance claim related to wear and tear, check your policy, as it is usually not covered by standard insurance.
Making a claim can vary per insurer. Despite this, it should always be a straightforward process:
Contact your insurer as soon as possible. It’s best to call rather than email so that the claim is opened immediately. Make sure you have your details ready to go: policy number, full name and address.
Provide as much detail as possible about the reasons for your claim and what you’re claiming for.
If you are sent a claims form, fill it out. Some insurers may not require you to do this if you have provided enough information over the phone.
Take photos and/or videos of the damaged property or contents and send them to your insurer as evidence.
As hard as it may be, try not to tidy up the damage where possible. The insurer may send a loss adjuster to take a look at the extent of the damage.
Make note of all communication between your insurer, as there will likely be a lot of back-and-forth.
Check with the insurer before you make any repairs! If you go ahead without the insurer's nod, you might not be able to claim for the costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is wear and tear not included in home insurance coverage as standard?
Answer: Home insurance is designed to protect your property from sudden and unexpected damage. Wear and tear is not classified as either of these things. Damage from wear and tear will occur over time where there is a lack of maintenance, and it is seen as the homeowner's responsibility.
Am I able to find coverage for wear and tear?
Are burst pipes classed as wear and tear?
Glossary of Terms
Here are some of the key terms you may hear when talking about home insurance and wear and tear.
Term | Definition |
Home Insurance | A type of coverage that protects your house and assets against damages and can provide liability coverage in case of accidents. |
Liability Coverage | Protects the homeowner against lawsuits for bodily injury or property damage caused to other people, including damage caused by pets. |
Wear and Tear | The gradual deterioration of a property and its fixtures due to age and normal use. Commonly excluded from home insurance policies. |
Exclusion | Conditions or circumstances that are not covered by an insurance policy. |
Premium | The amount paid regularly (typically monthly or yearly here in the UK) to the insurance company to keep the insurance policy active. |
Excess | The amount you pay before your insurance policy covers the remaining costs of a claim. There are typically two types of excess: voluntary, which the policyholder sets and can adjust, and mandatory, which the insurer sets and cannot be changed. |
Actual Cash Value | The value of insured property calculated as the replacement cost minus depreciation, reflecting the item's current worth considering its age and wear. |
Replacement Cost | Coverage that pays the cost of replacing damaged property without deduction for depreciation, providing funds to replace the item with a new one of similar kind. |
Peril | Specific risks or causes of loss covered by an insurance policy, such as fire, windstorm, flood, or theft. |
Claim | A formal request by a policyholder to an insurance company for coverage or compensation for a covered loss or policy event. |
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Hopefully, now you have a better idea of what wear and tear is and how it comes into play in relation to home insurance. It can seem complicated from the outset, but ultimately, what you need to know is you are unlikely covered for wear and tear unless you’ve specifically asked for it to be added to your insurance policy. When in doubt, give your insurance provider a call.
And remember, the one thing you should never be is underinsured. To find out why and what you can do about it, start by clicking the button below.
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