It’s a relaxing Saturday morning. You’re sipping your coffee and reading the paper when you hear a loud “crash!” A baseball thrown by neighborhood kids shattered your front window. Or maybe last night’s intense storm hurled a tree branch through a back window. Now you’re left staring at a gaping hole surrounded by shards of glass.
Sound familiar? Window damage is one of the most common homeowners insurance claims. But not all causes of broken windows are covered. And even if you have coverage, you may still owe a hefty bill for deductibles or non-covered costs.
So does home insurance actually pay for window repair or full replacement? Let’s dig into the nitty gritty details so you know what to expect if your panes get pulverized.
Home Insurance Basics
Before diving into windows specifically, a quick homeowners insurance primer is in order. Home insurance policies typically consist of several types of coverage, including:
Dwelling Coverage
This covers your home’s structure itself – the walls, roof, floors, and any components permanently attached. Windows are generally included under dwelling coverage since they are fixed structural elements.
Other Structures Coverage
Detached buildings like garages, tool sheds, and gazebos fall under this secondary coverage. If you have windows broken on one of these separate structures, the repairs would be covered here instead of under dwelling.
Liability Coverage
This protects you if someone gets injured on your property. It also covers damage that you or your family members cause to other people’s property – like hitting a baseball through your neighbor’s window.
Standard homeowners insurance covers sudden damage from certain causes like fires, storms, theft, and vandalism. But it excludes normal wear and tear issues.
Now let’s see how these coverages apply specifically to broken windows.
Does Home Insurance Cover Window Replacement?
Whether your busted window is covered depends on what caused the damage. Here are some common scenarios:
Severe weather: Damage from thunderstorms, hail, hurricanes, or tornadoes is typically covered since wind and flying debris can destroy windows. Even if your policy excludes weather, add-on endorsements usually can provide protection. According to the Insurance Information Institute, hail and wind caused over $18 billion in home insurance claims from 2017 to 2019.
Vandalism or theft: Rocks thrown at windows or glass broken during a burglary are covered perils. Comprehensive data on the prevalence of vandalism is hard to pin down. But one study found over 75,000 acts of vandalism occur daily in the U.S.
Falling tree branches: High winds can cause limbs to crash into your home and damage windows. As long as a storm caused the tree failure, it should be a covered claim.
Fire: Soot, smoke, and water used to extinguish flames can all ruin windows. Fires result in over 15,000 home insurance claims per day, says the National Fire Protection Association.
Accidental window breakage: Let’s say your kids are playing baseball in the yard and crack a window – you’d think it would be covered right? Not necessarily. Some insurers exclude damage caused by residents’ negligence.
Maintenance issues: Age, outdated materials, warped frames, bad weatherstripping, and foggy double-paned glass (indicating broken seals) are not covered by insurance. These gradual failures due to wear and tear or lack of upkeep are considered homeowners’ responsibility.
Named peril vs. open peril policies: Named peril policies only cover specific listed causes of loss. If breaking a window isn’t mentioned, you’re out of luck. Open peril covers all causes except those explicitly excluded. Open peril provides more robust coverage but costs more.
Even with coverage, you’ll have to pay your policy’s deductible. And if the total repair cost doesn’t exceed the deductible, your insurer likely won’t pay anything.
Let’s look at when to file a claim versus paying out-of-pocket.
When to Pay Out-of-Pocket vs File a Claim
Before involving your insurer, get an estimate for new windows or replacement glass. This will tell you if it’s worth a claim, based on your deductible.
For small repairs under $500, pocket the expense instead of claiming. Going through insurance paperwork for such minor fixes isn’t worth it. According to HomeAdvisor, replacing an average 12″ x 12″ broken window pane costs $75 to $300.
But for significant damage warranting full window replacement, the costs add up quickly. Replacing 10 standard 24″ x 36″ double-hung sash windows runs $5,000 to $10,000. In cases like this, filing a claim is smartest if the bill exceeds your deductible.
Still, aim to avoid claims when possible. Too many can raise your rates or even get you dropped. And since over 75% of claims close without any payout, it often makes sense to pay yourself.
If you do file a claim, be persistent following up. Only 15% of homeowners say the process met their expectations. Document all interactions, take photos, get third-party damage assessments, and escalate to supervisors if needed. But stay friendly – insurers reward good attitude.
Hiring Contractors for Window Repairs and Replacement
Once you decide to make an insurance claim, your insurer may refer a contractor or you can choose your own. Either way, be selective. Shoddy workmanship won’t withstand the next storm or break-in.
Search sites like Angie’s List and HomeAdvisor to find well-reviewed local professionals. Ask friends for referrals too. Review sample projects and check credentials like licensing and insurance.
Get at least three quotes to compare. Beware absurdly cheap bids, which can indicate scammers. Be sure the scope of work between estimates matches.
Avoid door-to-door salesmen peddling home improvements, especially right after storms. Unethical contractors scout damaged neighborhoods conspiring to defraud insurance companies with inflated invoices.
Whoever you hire, verify they’ll pull required permits, handle permit inspections, and warranty their labor. Get everything in writing upfront. Read all contracts closely and resist feeling pressured.
Will My Home Insurance Cover the Cost of Asbestos Removal During Window Replacement?
Before beginning a window replacement project, it’s important to consider if your home insurance will cover the cost of asbestos removal. Asbestos in home inspections is crucial to determine the presence of this hazardous material. Contact your insurance provider to discuss coverage options for asbestos removal during window replacement.
Key Factors That Affect the Cost to Repair or Replace Windows
Prices fluctuate based on:
Window types and features: Basic single-hung windows cost less than casements, awnings, or bays. Insulated glass, laminated glass, tinted coatings, and other upgrades add expense. Fancy embellished windows run $800 to $1,500 apiece; unlimited custom designs are available.
Sizes: Labor and materials increase for larger windows. A good rule of thumb is $600 to replace a smaller 2′ x 3′ window, up to $2,000 for a 10′ wide picture window.
Quantity needing repair/replacement: Replacing one broken pane is cheaper than an entire multi-window wall. Buying in bulk brings cost savings too.
Materials: Wood, vinyl, fiberglass, aluminum, and composite all have different price points. Within material types, there is further variation – mahogany wood windows cost more than pine.
Accessibility: Harder to access windows (like second story or over stairwells) add labor fees for scaffolding and equipment.
Contractor rates: Based on the Contractors Pricing Guide, average window installation costs range from $185 per window on the low end, up to $850 at the high end. Rates vary across the country.
Permits and code upgrades: Some old windows fail to meet new efficiency and safety codes. Upgrading to meet regulations adds project costs.
Get an accurate quote from technicians to understand true replacement or repair costs for your specific windows.
In Closing
Nobody wants the sinking feeling of discovering damaged windows and wondering if they have to bear the expenses alone. With homeowners insurance covering certain common mishaps like weather and theft, you gain some reassurance.
Yet it’s still smart to consider your policy details and the claim versus out-of-pocket scenarios. Taking strategic steps when hiring contractors also prevents getting scammed. Empower yourself by learning the costs and process ahead of time, so you’re prepared if windows ever shatter your peace and quiet.