Everything you need to know about insurance basics, like coverage types, limits, cost and more.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Siding Damage?
Both vinyl and metal siding on your home have many advantages — not only do they look attractive, but they’re usually low cost and designed for little maintenance. If your siding is damaged, will your homeowners insurance cover the cost to repair or replace it? The good news is, in most cases, your homeowners insurance does cover siding damage to your home, but it’s important to know exactly how your homeowners insurance policy handles siding damage and replacement coverage so you can ensure your siding is fully protected from unexpected events.
Let’s take a look at how your homeowners insurance covers siding damage and how adding matching undamaged vinyl or metal siding coverage can keep your home looking its best.
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Narrator: You work hard to protect your home, but when storms roll in, nothing is under your control. So, what happens if heavy winds or hail cause damage to your siding?
Well, your home insurance should cover the cost of replacing the impacted or missing siding. But if your original siding has been discontinued, you may need to use a different material or color, causing your home to look mismatched.
But don't worry. That's why we offer matching undamaged vinyl or metal siding coverage.
On screen: Matching Vinyl or Metal Siding Coverage
Narrator: Think this coverage might be right for you? Contact your agent. They're here to make sure you've got the coverage you need to protect what matters most.
On screen: American Family Insurance
Talk to your American Family agent
What Exactly Is Siding?
Siding on a home is the protective material attached to the exterior of your home’s structure. One of siding’s most noticeable purposes is aesthetics, since the material you choose greatly influences the look of your home. Siding also protects your home from weather, improves insulation and can impact the resale value of your home.
There are many options for the type of siding on a home, but two of the most popular are vinyl and metal:
Vinyl siding
Vinyl siding is one of the most common types of siding because of its durability, affordability, color options and textures. Vinyl can be installed quickly, even over existing materials, which helps reduce labor costs.
Metal siding
Long lasting and durable, metal siding is another popular option because it outlives many other types of exterior materials. You can choose a metal siding that actually looks like metal or a more natural look with imitation wood made from metals.
The Importance of Matching Siding
Why is it important to have matching siding? For starters, a home with matching siding simply looks better! But it also can affect the value of your home. Mismatched siding may reduce the amount your home is worth, so having this matching siding coverage in place before there’s a covered loss is important if you want to maintain matching siding as well as sustain the value of your home.
Vinyl and Metal Siding Coverage
Your homeowners insurance policy covers the matching siding on your home if damage is caused by a peril listed in your policy — common events include wind, hail, fire and tornado. For example, if wind or hail damages one side of your home or if a tornado blows through and tears siding from part of your home, you’ll be covered for the damage and be able to replace the missing siding with its match.
Matching Undamaged Vinyl or Metal Siding Coverage
Though you work hard to protect your home, you can still be faced with unexpected challenges. For instance, if the vinyl or metal siding of your home experiences wind damage or tornado damage, finding replacement siding that’s an exact match can be difficult.
While your homeowners insurance replaces siding damage from specific types of losses, it only covers the parts of your home that are damaged — which can be a bigger deal than you’d think.
Let’s say the siding on two sides of your home blew off during a windstorm. Sure, wind is a covered loss and your homeowners policy will help pay to replace the siding that’s damaged or missing. But here’s the dilemma — when you contact the siding manufacturer, you may find out that they discontinued your original siding and a reasonable match cannot be found.
This problem is actually pretty common — we're here to help, with our matching undamaged vinyl or metal siding coverage.
How Much Does Matching Siding Coverage Cost?
Much like other home insurance products, the additional cost to your premium is related to the value and type of siding currently on your home. The good news is, this coverage is really affordable. Matching siding coverage starts at just $25 annually.
How Matching Siding Insurance Works
So, what is matching undamaged vinyl or metal siding coverage? Here’s how it works with American Family Insurance.
As noted above, your homeowners policy will begin by covering the cost of replacing the damaged sections. And then if you have undamaged siding coverage, it’ll reimburse you for up to $20,000 of the costs for replacing the remaining undamaged siding so everything matches as closely as possible.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Rotted Siding?
Keep in mind, your homeowners insurance won’t cover you for normal wear and tear, like rotted siding.
Matching siding coverage is meant to help you if your original siding that’s damaged is discontinued. Normal damage that occurs to your home’s siding, like fading from sun exposure or dirt and grime, is your responsibility and won’t be covered for the replacement cost. Taking care of issues right away and completing regular maintenance can help save you money down the road.
Submitting Siding Insurance Claims
If you think your home is a candidate for getting its siding replaced by insurance, you need to submit a claim. We’ll work with you every step of the way to help get things back to normal. And we’ve made filing a claim easier than ever:
Frequently Asked Questions About Matching Siding Coverage
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Start by filing a claim. It’s also helpful if you can submit photographs and provide details about the loss to your property.
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Small cracks in vinyl siding can occur over time. If these pieces aren’t replaced or if regular maintenance isn’t performed, water damage and resulting wear and tear can occur. Unfortunately, you won’t be covered when normal wear and tear is at issue.
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A standard homeowners policy carries coverage for lightning among other weather-related events, such as wind and hail. But that coverage will only extend to replace the damaged siding. In the event that you want to replace all of your siding if the original siding is not available any longer, pick up additional matching siding insurance to be sure you’re covered before something happens.
Find the Right Coverage for Your Home
Take a look at our homeowners coverages to learn more ways you can protect what matters most, and continue reading for more smart homeowners insurance tips. Connect with your American Family Insurance agent to learn about adding matching undamaged vinyl or metal siding coverage to your homeowners policy — because when you work hard for your dream home, it should look exactly how you want it to.
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This coverage is not available in MN at this time.
Some coverages may not be available in your state or on your specific policy form. Please speak with your agent to learn more about your coverage options.
All statements regarding insurance coverage are general descriptions. These statements do not add or modify any coverage under your insurance policy. Please review your policy or call your agent for information regarding coverage that may be available to you.