Is Sidewalk Repair Included In Homeowners Insurance?

Posted by Jone Smith on April 3rd, 2021

So, it's snowfall season, and you might start noticing cracks in the sidewalk around this time. This is when you will start worrying about repairing this concrete. Pedestrians never stop passing by, and the safety of the pedestrians may get you worrying about a lot more than just sidewalk repair; if the damage extends, then you might end up being liable for injuries. This is when the residents usually have to extend their liability coverage so that potential accidents can be prevented.

If you don't take action fast, you should know that your insurance policy can be affected either way; if the sidewalk damage does extend, insurance companies might end terminating their insurance policies. Different places tend to have different sidewalk repair laws, so if you leave your sidewalk un-repaired for a long time, you might end up with more trouble than you bargained for. Here is what you need to know about home owner's insurance and sidewalks beforehand:

Also Read: Make Concrete Look A New Again By Sidewalk Repair Services In Nyc

Responsibility:

By the state laws, a homeowner is responsible for the snow and ice on their sidewalks, so If you think that the sidewalk snow isn't any of your business, perhaps you should think again. The state does not claim any responsibility for the sidewalk damage, so not are you responsible for clearing snow on your sidewalk, but you are also responsible for repairing any damage that may e caused to the sidewalk.

If this causes any injuries, you will be held responsible for it, and if the damage is revealed during routine inspections, you are likely to receive a notice or a fine. If you want to ensure that you avoid any unnecessary lawsuits, you must make sure that you fix the snow on your sidewalk before the water seeps into the concrete and causes damage or cracks. Ensure that nothing that may be causing a mobility barrier for the disabled and impaired is left out in the open on your sidewalk.

Sidewalk Repair Coverage:

Homeowner's insurance doesn't typically cover the sidewalk repair because these are the damages caused by accidental occurrences or impulsive damage. If You have had coverage in a covered peril scheme, it will be attended to; however, if this cracking and damage are caused by snow and ice, it is doubtful that the insurance will cover these damages.

This is why you must clear the snow and ice that accumulate on your sidewalk because if it does cause any damage to the sidewalk, you will be held responsible for it. If the ice that's lying around causes someone to slip and injure themselves, you will also be held responsible for the injury. This will lead to some extensive lawsuits for you if the person does decide to file a lawsuit. This is why it is essential to clear the snow and ice heaps on your sidewalk in the snowfall season.

Will your insurance provider assent a Claim?

If your insurance policy covers the damage to your sidewalk or not depends on your location and the nature of your contract. For sidewalk repair, many things can come into play, like the insurance company will refuse to claim anything if they find out that the homeowner knew about the damage that this could cause and still ignored it for a long time.

If you immediately clean up the snow, ice and left from your sidewalk, you may hold an argument in court. Still, otherwise, if you leave the sidewalk unrepaired and uncleared on purpose, you will be responsible for damages. Either way, the best way to know if your insurance covers the sidewalk repair is to call up the agents and ask them yourself. 

Conclusion:

You may opt for a DIY fix, or you might hire a Concrete Repair NYC  to get your work done. The important thing is to make sure that you do something about it; otherwise, you will not avoid the damage. If you decide to repair yourself, you must have enough information about repairing or else you will not be able to do the best job and end up damaging the sidewalk. Hiring a sidewalk repair contractor who will professionally carry out the job is the best option in this case.