05 November 2020

Before You Start a Home Improvement Project, Ask Yourself 'Does My Home Insurance Cover This?'

When you buy a home, you are investing in that property. Thus, it makes sense that you'd want to improve it in various ways so that it always looks nice and well-maintained. Without routine improvements, the house can fall into disarray and look unkempt, potentially earning the ire of your neighborhood's homeowner's association.

But before you begin those improvements, it could be prudent to verify that your homeowner's insurance policy covers that so you have a lower out-of-pocket cost. Learn more about some common home improvements that you must check to make sure your policy covers them.

Installing sod can get expensive quickly.



If your lawn is in disrepair and you are trying to figure out how to fix it, you may want to look into installing sod. There are a lot of options when it comes to lawn repair, but putting in sod is the quickest way to get a green, healthy lawn. While prices are $.14 to $.60 per square foot for the sod itself, the labor costs of installing it can cause the overall price to skyrocket.

The cost is likely something you will have to absorb, but it doesn't hurt to give your insurance company a call to determine your coverage options. Remember that once your sod is installed, you'll have to follow the lawn care guidelines that the company gives you. This will keep your lawn healthy and also gives you protection in the event something happens to the grass.

A new roof will cost thousands of dollars.



If your home needs roof repair or a new roof, the cost can be quite high. If your roof was damaged due to hail, wind, or other storm damage, then the cost will likely be covered by your insurance company — so long as you can show you've been maintaining the roof in a timely manner. If your roof is old and needs to be replaced entirely or needs new shingles, insurance typically does not take on those costs.

For the most part, insurance is there to cover you for unexpected costs, like when a hurricane sweeps through your area and creates the need for a total roof replacement. Speak with an Allison Park roofing contractor to learn more about how much this may cost you, and make sure to always work with a reputable, licensed roofing company.

Water damage may be covered depending on other factors.



If your bathroom or another area of the home develops a leak, then you may end up with extensive water damage throughout your home. You may not even know it's there until you see a visible stain on a ceiling or a wall. You'll need to have an inspection done to check for the presence of mold as well. Mold can create a health risk for you and your family, so it's important to have to removed safely by a trained mold remediation specialist.

Depending on how the water damage happened, your insurance company may cover it. They will not cover it if you have older pipes that should have been replaced or if you neglected to perform maintenance such as routinely cleaning out gutters to prevent water seeping in under the roof. If you're unsure about whether your insurance will provide coverage, reach out to an insurance agent such as TulsaInsuranceGroup so that they can help you determine the viability of your claim. You may also be able to get all of the damage covered and avoid paying anything except for the deductible on your policy.

No matter what happens with your home, make sure to always contact your insurance provider to learn about your options.

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