Most accidents happen in the home. But what kind of accidents and damage can happen to the home itself? From severe weather conditions to poor workmanship from an amateur contractor, the resulting damage from these worst-case scenarios can leave you feeling financially strained. It’s important to be aware of the different types of damage that can happen to your home and plan accordingly with the right house insurance in Nova Scotia.
Eisenhauer Insurance has insured hundreds of homeowners in our 35 years in business and we have collected information on some of the most common kinds of damage which should be covered. This is by no means an exhaustive list. Contractor Damage: What Home Insurance in Halifax Covers Property or home damaged by a contractor can take many forms. The contractor may accidentally cause damage during their work, or they may simply be inexperienced and do a poor job with an installation or repair. Home insurance in Halifax differs on what exactly is covered when it comes to contractor damages. For example, your insurance may cover water damage caused by a burst pipe, but not the cost needed to repair a poorly installed pipe. It’s best to shop around and see just how much your home insurance will cover when it comes to contractor damage. As an experienced insurance brokerage, Eisenhauer Insurance can help you compare policies.
Construction Vibration Damage Damage caused by construction vibration may be handled differently by homeowner’s insurance, landlord insurance, and tenant insurance. For Halifax or Dartmouth area residents living and working in crowded neighborhoods, adjacent construction may have an impact on their property. Specifically, construction vibration from heavy-duty equipment may cause structural damage. This can include cracks in the walls, misaligned doors and windows, concrete damage, exterior stucco cracks, and other distress. It’s important to know what your home insurance will cover when it comes to construction vibration damage. For those living in condos or apartments, damage to the building’s structure may not be covered by your tenant insurance. It may, however, be covered by landlord insurance. Halifax residents should also note that insurance policies may include an “earth movement” exclusion intended for earthquake damage, but used against claims made about construction vibration. Eisenhauer Insurance can help you sift through the fine print of various policies to see just want you’re covered for when it comes to this kind of damage. Wind Damage The Chronicle Herald noted in its Herald Homes section that Nova Scotians do need insurance protection for home damage caused by heavy winds and hurricanes. Significant wind speeds can wreak havoc on your home’s exteriors. Some common damage caused by wind includes:
Blown off shingles
General roof structure damage
Downed powerlines near the home
Broken tree limbs around the property
Cracked or broken windows
Not only can severe winds cause damage to your home, but the debris they carry can be just as hazardous. Most home insurance policies in Halifax will include storm damage, although this may exclude certain types of damage caused by water and fire.
Water and Flood Damage Water damage can be a serious issue for your home. It can warp floorboards, damaged drywall, and cause mold and mildew growth. However, not all water damage is the same, and not all types of water damage will be covered by homeowner’s insurance. For example, your policy may cover sudden water damage, from a storm or a malfunctioning washing machine. However, gradual leaks caused by the poor upkeep of your property will likely be excluded. Flood damage will probably need its own separate policy. Water damage is also influenced by the type of water infiltrating your home. For example, clean water coming from your dishwasher will likely not cause illness, but the water that is highly contaminated, from an overflowing toilet or storm drain, can end up causing more than just water damage to your home’s structure. Furthermore, the more contaminated the water, the more work a restoration team will have to do to clean up your property. Be sure to ask about what types of water damage your house insurance in Nova Scotia covers to be prepared. Fire Damage Home fires can be catastrophic. Fire damage can spread quickly and is often considered a total loss because the damage is not limited to the structural damage caused by the fire itself; smoke and water damage have also likely destroyed personal belongings within. Most homeowner’s insurance policies cover fire, except in two scenarios: arson deliberately caused by the homeowner and fire in a vacant home. Different insurance companies have different definitions of what they consider “vacant,” but most experts consider a home vacant if it hasn’t been occupied for more than 30 consecutive days. You can insure a vacant home through a different policy, usually called vacant home insurance, that covers much of what a standard home insurance policy would cover, like hail damage or vandalism. Contact Eisenhauer Insurance Learn more about the types of damages a home can sustain and what types of policies are available to cover them by contacting Eisenhauer Insurance.