Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Your Siding?

You heard the storm raging all night. The wind howled, and something kept hitting the side of the house. Now, in the calm morning light, you notice that your siding is cracked, dented, or possibly missing a few pieces. The first thought that pops into your head is, “Is this covered?” You’re not alone in asking this question about homeowners insurance and siding coverage. It’s a common worry for any homeowner who just wants their house to look whole again. Making sense of your homeowners insurance, including whether it covers siding, can feel like a chore, but it’s the first step to getting things fixed.

What Kind of Siding Damage Is Actually Covered?

Your homeowners insurance policy is designed for sudden and accidental damage. This protection for your siding falls under what’s called “dwelling coverage,” a core part of your property and casualty insurance. This part of your policy helps pay for repairs to your home’s physical structure if a covered event hits it.

An insurance company refers to these events as “covered perils.” For siding, this typically includes damage from strong winds, hailstorms, fire, and smoke damage. Your insurance coverage might also kick in if a tree falls on your house or if it’s vandalized.

However, what is covered can vary based on your specific insurance policy. It’s important to remember that homeowners insurance coverage is different from other policies like auto insurance or renters insurance. You can review some general guidelines on what policies cover, but always check your own documents.

Understanding Your Homeowners Insurance Siding Coverage Exclusions

Just as important as what’s covered is what isn’t. Your insurance isn’t a home maintenance plan, so it won’t pay for problems that happen gradually over time. This means general wear and tear is your responsibility as the homeowner.

Siding that has slowly faded, cracked from age, or warped due to sun exposure will not be covered by a siding damage insurance claim. An insurance carrier expects you to keep up with maintenance to prevent these issues from causing major problems. For example, if small cracks lead to water damage behind the siding, the claim could be denied.

Another common exclusion is damage from pests or animals. If a woodpecker decides your vinyl siding is a great spot for a home, you’ll likely pay for that siding replacement yourself. Proper home maintenance can help you avoid these uncovered problems and keep your siding in good shape.

Replacement Cost vs. Actual Cash Value

This is where understanding your policy becomes critical. Your homeowners insurance policy will cover siding damage in one of two ways. It will be either replacement cost value (RCV) or actual cash value (ACV).

ACV pays you for what your siding was worth at the exact moment it was damaged, which includes depreciation. If your siding is 15 years old, ACV will only give you a fraction of the money needed to buy new siding. This can result in a significant out-of-pocket expense for siding damage repairs.

RCV is generally preferred because it pays the full cost to replace damaged siding with new, similar materials at today’s prices, without deducting for depreciation. These replacement costs make a huge difference in your financial recovery after an incident. You should check your homeowners insurance policy to fully understand which type of reimbursement you have.

Steps for a Siding Damage Insurance Claim

If you believe you have a valid siding damage insurance claim, acting quickly but carefully can make the process smoother. The first thing to do is document everything before you make any changes. Take clear photos and videos of the siding damage from different angles and distances.

Next, take reasonable steps to prevent further issues, such as covering an exposed wall with a tarp to stop potential water damage. Then, before calling your insurance agency, contact a trusted siding contractor to get a repair estimate or an insurance quote. This gives you an idea of the total repair cost and whether it exceeds your deductible.

The deductible is what you pay before your insurance policy kicks in. If the repair cost is less than your deductible, filing an insurance claim isn’t practical. If it’s significantly more, you can proceed with confidence when you call your insurance representative to start your claim.

What If My Siding Color Can’t Be Matched?

One of the biggest frustrations with a siding claim is the issue of matching siding. What happens if your siding was discontinued or the color has faded so much that a new piece stands out? This could leave you with a visually jarring patch on your home, affecting its curb appeal.

Some standard insurance policies will only pay to replace damaged sections, leaving you with the mismatch problem. This can affect both the look of your home and its resale value. It can be hard to find a perfect match for older siding, even if the brand still exists.

To avoid this, some insurance carriers offer an endorsement for siding matching. This add-on coverage helps pay to replace the undamaged siding on an entire side of the house to ensure a uniform appearance. You must check your policy and/or speak with an agent to see if you have this valuable protection or if it can be added to your personal insurance plan.

Final Thoughts

Figuring out if your siding is covered doesn’t have to be a headache. The core principle is that a homeowners insurance policy is for sudden accidents, not gradual decline. You must know if your policy offers replacement costs or actual cash value, and always be aware of your deductible amount before filing insurance claims.

Being proactive is the best strategy for any type of personal insurance, whether it’s for your home, car insurance, or even pet insurance. You need to fully understand what your specific insurance policy will do for you. By knowing what’s in your policy documents, you can feel confident about your homeowners insurance coverage long before you ever see a piece of siding lying in your yard.