Is a Deck Covered by Homeowners Insurance?

Homeowners insurance safeguards your home, protecting its physical structure and your belongings from unexpected events. Understanding your policy’s specifics is important, especially for outdoor additions like a deck. This article clarifies how decks are typically covered under standard policies and highlights common coverage limitations.

Typical Homeowners Insurance Coverage for Decks

Decks are generally included in a standard homeowners insurance policy, with coverage depending on their attachment to your home. If permanently attached to the main dwelling, a deck is typically covered under the “dwelling coverage” portion. This provides the same protection as the house itself, covering damage from perils like fire, windstorms, hail, or vandalism.

Freestanding decks, not connected to the main house, usually fall under the “other structures” portion of your policy. This section covers detached structures like sheds, detached garages, or gazebos. The coverage limit for “other structures” is often a percentage, commonly around 10%, of your dwelling coverage limit. Most policies cover deck damage from specified perils like falling objects, the weight of ice or snow, or vehicles, regardless of attachment.

Understanding Common Coverage Limitations

While homeowners insurance provides broad protection, certain types of deck damage are typically not covered. Damage from normal wear and tear, gradual deterioration, or lack of routine maintenance is generally excluded. Issues like rotting wood, fading finishes, or minor cracks are usually the homeowner’s responsibility. Policies cover sudden and accidental losses, not predictable maintenance or aging.

Damage from poor construction, faulty design, or building code violations is commonly excluded from standard policies. However, if a construction flaw leads to damage from a covered peril (e.g., fire from defective wiring), the subsequent damage might be covered, but not the cost to fix the original flaw. Pest infestations (termites, rodents, insects) are typically not covered, as insurers consider such damage preventable through regular upkeep. Damage from natural disasters like floods or earthquakes is almost always excluded, requiring separate policies or endorsements.

Navigating a Deck Damage Claim

If your deck sustains damage you believe is covered, initiate the claim process promptly. Document the damage thoroughly with photographs and videos from various angles, including close-ups and wider shots. Secure the area to prevent further damage or injury, but avoid permanent repairs until your insurer provides guidance.

Contact your insurance agent or company promptly to report the incident and start the claim. Provide your policy number and a detailed description of how the damage occurred. An adjuster will assess the damage, review policy terms, and determine the eligible payout, minus your deductible. Deductibles typically range from $500 to $5,000, paid out-of-pocket before coverage begins. The insurer will then issue payment for the covered loss, often in two installments, with the final payment contingent on repair completion.