I live in Upstate New York. Home to many wonderful things including but most certainly not limited to:
- Saratoga Race Course (Simply Amazing Experience Every Year)
- The Buffalo Bills (Best Uniforms in the League)
- Garbage Plates (Shout Out to all my Rochester Peeps)
However, like all truly wonderful things in life, living in Upstate New York comes with a price:
- Long, brutally cold winters
- Lots and Lots of precipitation
- Rapid and sudden changes in temperature
Wear and Tear is Not Covered on Homeowners
Your homeowners insurance policy is an amazing tool for protecting what is likely the most value physical asset you’ll ever own. Special Form Homeowners Policy covers loss from fire, lightning, wind, explosion, riot, aircraft, vehicles, smoke, vandalism, theft, falling objects, pipe burst… There are many more.
However, an often misunderstood concept involves Wear and Tear.
Losses resulting from Wear and Tear are NOT Covered.
Mother Nature can be very cruel to your home. Homeowners in each region of our fine United States have their own specific weather conditions to deal with. Each type of climate and storm system brings with them unique forms of damage.
In Upstate New York its the cold and wet that deteriorates homes.
During our Fall and Spring seasons the temperature can change drastically from day to day, morning to night. Water continually gets into walls and sidewalks, under shingles, and behind siding.
The freezing and thawing causes this water to expand and contract. Over and over and over again every year. (Here is some Weather.com info on this issue).
With time homes that are exposed to this type of weather begin to show serious signs of wear and tear. If addressed immediately these signs of wear are usually fixable and cause minimal damage.
However, if not addressed these small concerns can turn into nightmare losses.
The Rub
Let’s say we get a huge snow storm this winter and with the weight of the ice and snow (a covered peril under a Special Form policy) the garage were to fall down.
There is a overwhelmingly good chance (disclaimer: every claim is unique and coverage is determined by the carrier) that my claim would be DENIED!
The wear and tear that has accumulated on a building is what caused it to collapse.
Always remember this about homeowners insurance: In General terms, Insurance covers loss that is Sudden and Accidental.
Not a loss that has been building over time.
Thank you!
Ryan Hanley
P.S. If you have questions about the coverage or price of current homeowners insurance policy please call us at (518) 456-6688 or you can email us here.
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