Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover Driveway Damage?

We don’t often think about driveways — until they sustain damage. Whether the edges start to crumble or cracks form, homeowners need to repair the damage.

Does home insurance cover driveway damage? Sometimes, but it depends on the cause of the damage.

Will Homeowner’s Insurance Cover Driveway Damage?

If a covered peril damages your driveway, your homeowner’s insurance policy should cover repairs, but they usually won’t pay for damage caused by normal wear and tear and some other excluded conditions. If your insurance pays for the damage, it should also pay for debris removal.

Homeowner’s insurance companies may include your driveway in your dwelling or other structures coverage. If your driveway leads to an attached garage, it’s probably part of your dwelling insurance. If your garage or another structure the driveway leads to isn’t attached to your house, your driveway coverage is likely under other structures coverage.

If a driveway leads to a structure that contains a home business, your insurance carrier may consider it as part of your business. Ask your company or check your policy documents if this situation applies to you.

What Kinds of Covered Perils Can Cause Damage to Driveways?

Various types of damage can occur from covered perils, such as:

• Tornadoes or hurricanes
• Storms blowing trees or other large objects down onto the driveway
• Fires
• Hail
• Vandalism

Insurance companies differ regarding covered perils, so you’ll need to consult your policy for specifics. Generally, damage that occurs suddenly is likely covered unless your policy specifically excludes it.

Although you may need to clear debris away to use your driveway, be sure to thoroughly document the damage first to support your claim. Take photos and videos from different angles to get a full picture of what happened to cause your damage.

If possible, you should call your insurance company before you move anything. They might be able to send an adjuster to your home quickly. You should still take your own photos because you may need to use them as evidence if your homeowner’s insurance company denies your claim.

Keep detailed notes about your conversations with your insurance company. You should also keep receipts for any repairs, whether you perform the work yourself or hire someone else.

Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover a Driveway Collapse?

Homeowner’s insurance does not cover driveway damage or collapse if certain conditions lead to the damage, such as:

• Earth movement or earthquakes
• Neglect or normal wear
• Intentional or careless damage
• Animals
• Erosion caused by water or mud

Insurance companies usually allow homeowners to purchase riders or endorsements to cover some of these exclusions.

Over time, your driveway may sag or crack naturally. You should address these issues promptly to prevent further damage and reduce the risk of someone falling over these imperfections. If a non-resident trips on your uneven driveway and sustains injuries, you could be liable for their damages.

Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover Driveway Replacement?

If a covered peril causes extreme damage to your driveway, your home insurance company may pay for repair or replacement costs minus your deductible. However, the amount of money you can get depends on the type of policy you have.

Cash value policies subtract depreciation from the original value of your driveway, and you’ll probably receive less than the cost of repairs unless your driveway is new. Replacement value policies are more expensive, but these payouts should reflect the current cost to fix your damage or replace your driveway.

Will Your Homeowner’s Insurance Pay Driveway Damage Claims?

Having a valid claim does not mean that your insurance company will pay you a reasonable amount without a fight.

Insurers know how much your claim is worth, but they often try to minimize payout amounts by:

• Offering to pay less than they should
• Blaming the damage on an uncovered peril or normal wear and tear
• Denying your claim
• Offering to pay for repairs but refusing to replace a driveway when its condition warrants it

If you believe your homeowner’s insurance company is treating you unfairly, contact Insurance Claim HQ and request a free evaluation.

How Can a Homeowner’s Insurance Claim Attorney Help?

When you have a skilled home insurance lawyer on your side, insurance companies typically understand that they won’t be allowed to take advantage of you. We can help you throughout the claims process by:

• Helping you evaluate the extent of your damage
• Preparing and submitting your claim
• Providing information and offering legal advice
• Negotiating a reasonable settlement amount
• Filing a bad faith insurance lawsuit if your case qualifies

You don’t have to take on reluctant insurance companies on your own to get driveway damage repaired. Let Insurance Claim HQ help.

Why Choose Insurance Claim HQ If You Have a Homeowner’s Insurance Driveway Damage Claim?

Our sole focus is on helping homeowners insurance policyholders get the payouts they deserve, and we love what we do. The attorneys at award-winning Insurance Claim HQ have decades of experience handling cases like yours, winning millions of dollars for our clients.

If you’re wondering if your homeowner’s insurance company will cover your driveway damage or are having problems with your insurer, contact us online or call 844-964-0778.