We’ll work with your insurance company!

As a homeowner, perhaps nothing is more stressful than having to undergo a major unexpected repair, such as repairing a chimney after a fire or damage from a falling tree. That stress can be increased, however, if you are left to squabble with your insurance company over having the damage covered. Chimney Saver Solutions can help you handle your stress! When we undertake your chimney repairs, we will deal with your insurance company for you.

Chimney repairs: What will insurance cover?

While insurance policies vary by company and by home, the general rule of thumb in determining whether your home insurance policy will cover your chimney repairs is that the repairs will be covered if the damage happened due to a sudden event. That includes damage caused by chimney fires, lightning strikes and fallen trees. Depending on your policy, you may or may not be covered if your chimney suffers wind damage or flood damage, or if a sudden chimney leak causes water damage in your home. If your policy covers this type of damage, you likely will have to tie it to a specific event, such as a major storm.

Which chimney repairs won’t insurance cover?

Homeowners insurance won’t cover damage from regular wear and tear. That includes a failing foundation, a failing chimney structure, crumbling mortar, cracked bricks, a faulty chimney cap and most chimney leaks. Of course, if any of that damage was caused by an unexpected event, it still will be covered even though those types of repairs usually have to do with wear and tear. In some cases, such as with a chimney fire or chimney leak, your insurance company may argue that the chimney damage was caused by your failure to perform regular chimney cleaning and maintenance. Usually with some documentation and pushback, those are repairs that we can get insurance companies to pay for.

Will insurance repairs include an upgrade?

Generally, insurance companies won’t cover upgrading any parts of your chimney, such as by adding a top-of-the-line chimney cap or damper if yours was damaged and need to be replaced. There are exceptions, however. For example, a new stainless steel chimney liner generally is considered an upgrade from a clay tile chimney liner, but rebuilding a clay tile liner involves tearing apart and rebuilding the entire chimney structure, making the stainless steel chimney liner more practical.

How can you determine if your repairs are covered?

Reading through your insurance policy might help you get an idea of whether or not the repairs you need with be covered, but Chimney Saver Solutions is here to help! We are accustomed to dealing with insurance companies, and we can help you determine if your repairs are the type that are generally covered, and we can help you document damage and submit claims to your insurance company. Planning unexpected chimney repairs can bring a lot of stress and frustration. Let Chimney Saver Solutions help you handle your chimney repairs without the stress of dealing with your insurance company.