Windows are vulnerable to many dangers: falling trees, high winds, break-ins, poorly thrown footballs, and more. As a homeowner, you’re right to be concerned about whether insurance covers broken windows.
The short answer is sometimes. Homeowners insurance can cover your broken windows—but it depends.
The following factors determine whether your insurance provider will approve your broken window claim and how much they’ll pay if they do:
- The coverage outlined in your home insurance policy
- The cause of the window damage
- Your insurance deductibles
- What part of your property the window belongs to
In this article, we explain each of the above factors to help you determine if you can expect coverage for your window repair or replacement.
Understanding Home Insurance Coverage for Your Windows
To determine if your insurance provider will reimburse you for your window replacement, you first should understand how home insurance policies divide coverage.
Typically, your home insurance policy is split into several types of coverage, each with its own limits and requirements. The coverage that pays for window damage repairs depends on where the damaged window is.
The three parts of your home insurance policy relevant to windows are:
- Dwelling: Otherwise known as Coverage A, this part of your home insurance protects the structure of your house, including the windows.
- Other structures: Also called Coverage B, this part of your home insurance protects structures not attached to your home’s main structure (and their windows), like a shed, detached garage, or guest house.
- Personal liability: Also known as Coverage E, this part of your home insurance protects you if you or someone from your household accidentally damages a neighbor’s property, like a window. Conversely, a neighbor’s personal liability coverage may cover repairs or replacement costs if they accidentally damage your window.
Dwelling and other structures coverage typically protect the respective property against several perils, or events that cause damage. In the next section, we list the common perils against your windows that the average home insurance provider would and wouldn’t cover.
The only scenario in which personal liability coverage can reimburse a window replacement is when someone accidentally damages your window. The person who caused the damage would have to have personal liability coverage to pay for the repair, or they could pay you out of pocket.
On the other hand, if someone intentionally damages your window, your dwelling or other structures coverage may pay for the repairs because it would be considered vandalism.
Determining If Homeowners Insurance Covers Your Broken Windows
Use the following sections to guide you through your situation with damaged windows.
If you do file a claim for broken windows, an insurance adjuster will investigate. Be prepared to answer their questions about the damage to the window and provide any relevant documents.
What Perils Does Your Home Insurance Protect Windows Against?
In general, home insurance protects your house from sudden and accidental damage. The type and number of perils your home insurance protects you against depends on your policy.
Two types of coverage describe different ways of protecting your home (including your windows):
- Named perils: This type of coverage will protect your home windows against all the perils specifically listed in your policy.
- Open or all perils: This type of coverage protects your home windows against all perils except the ones specifically excluded in your policy.
At OpenHouse, we offer a type of named perils policy called “broad perils” that provides additional coverage options you get to customize instead of a predetermined policy.
A typical named-peril home insurance policy will cover your windows against the following:
- Wind and hail
- Fire, lightning, and smoke
- Snow, ice, and sleet
- Frozen pipes
- Theft and vandalism
- Civil disturbances
- Vehicles and aircraft
- Explosions
- Electrical current
- Falling objects
- Sudden and accidental water damage
What Doesn’t Your Home Insurance Protect Windows Against?
As we said in the previous section, home insurance protects your windows from most instances of sudden and unintentional damage. However, for both named- and open-peril policies, you can expect to pay out of pocket for your windows in the following cases:
- Earthquakes
- Flooding
- Sinkholes
If you want extra protection for your windows against the above excluded perils, you may be able to add separate policies (called endorsements) to your home insurance policy. You can also find individual insurance policies for earthquakes and flooding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The following causes of window damage are also not covered under home insurance because they are expected over time or preventable:
- Wear and tear
- Normal house settling
- General maintenance
- Broken window seals
What Caused Your Windows to Break?
When your windows break, ask yourself the following questions to determine if you’re eligible for coverage:
- Was it sudden and accidental?
- If yes, move on to the next question.
- If not, you likely won’t get coverage because insurance doesn’t cover avoidable damage.
- Was it an accident you or one of your household members caused?
- If not, move on to the next question.
- If yes, you likely won’t get coverage because insurance usually won’t cover damage you cause to your own property.
- Was it an accident from someone or something else?
- When someone else accidentally damages your windows, their personal liability coverage, if they have it, will pay for it.
- If your window is damaged from an event otherwise out of your control, your home insurance will likely cover the cost to repair or replace your window.
The Role of Your Deductible
When you file an insurance claim, your deductible is the amount you have to pay before your home insurance covers the cost of repairs or replacements. You and your insurance provider agree on your standard AOP (all other perils) deductible amount when you purchase your policy.
For example, let’s say you file a claim to replace a shattered window after a tree fell during a storm. If you have a $500 deductible and the window costs $700 to replace, you would pay the deductible out of pocket, and your home insurance provider would reimburse you for the remaining $200.
If you have a $1,000 deductible with a $500 replacement cost, you’d have to pay the entire cost out of pocket. Your deductible would still have $500 left before your insurance pays for the next claim.
Special Deductibles
Special deductibles apply only when damage is caused by a specific type of peril. If a peril is particularly common in your state, you may have a special deductible for it.
For example, in a state like Florida, you may have a hurricane deductible, which applies when damage is due to a hurricane. Similarly, wildfire deductibles may be applicable in a state like California.
If you have a special deductible and make a claim for a broken window that was caused by the related peril, you’ll be required to pay the special deductible amount first. The amount is usually a percentage of your dwelling coverage.
After you pay off the special deductible, your insurance covers the rest. If you make another claim in the same year for the same peril, however, you won’t have to pay the special deductible again. Instead, you’ll pay your AOP deductible.
Important Note on Deductibles: After filing a claim, your premiums may increase when you renew your policy. If your window repair or replacement costs exceed your deductible by only a small amount, it may be better not to file a claim and instead pay out of pocket to avoid higher premiums.
FAQ About Window Replacement and Repair Insurance
Although we outline the typical answers to these frequently asked questions, consult your home insurance provider if you’re unsure about your specific broken window situation.
Does homeowners insurance cover a broken sliding-glass door?
Yes, home insurance can cover a sliding-glass door as long as the damage is caused by a covered peril in your policy.
Does homeowners insurance cover old windows?
Home insurance does not cover the repair of windows damaged due to old age. Insurance is for sudden and accidental damage, as normal wear and tear is expected.
Does homeowners insurance cover broken window seals?
Depending on how the seals were broken, your home insurance may cover the damage. However, if the seals break down due to normal wear and tear, they will most likely not be covered.
Does homeowners insurance cover broken windows from a break-in?
In the event of a break-in, your home insurance will most likely cover your broken windows because theft and vandalism are covered perils.
So, Will Your Home Insurance Cover Your Broken Windows?
Whether your home insurance will cover your windows depends on your unique situation. The cause of your window’s damage, your policy’s coverage, and your deductible all come into play to determine if you receive coverage.
The more you familiarize yourself with your policy, the more prepared you’ll be for what to expect when your windows are damaged. And, as with any insurance claim, it’s best to start the process sooner than later to ensure you have the most accurate details.
Remember to ask your insurance agent or provider any questions you may have. If you have OpenHouse Home Insurance, our agents are always happy to help you work through your window insurance questions over the phone at (833) 733-8286.