Yard Damage: Understanding Home Insurance Coverage for Landscaping

Your home is your castle, and a beautiful, well-maintained yard is the crown jewel. But what happens when your landscaping suffers damage? Will your home insurance policy come to the rescue? In this blog, we'll explore home insurance coverage and landscaping, helping you understand what's covered and what's not.

What Type of Landscaping Does Home Insurance Cover?

Most standard homeowners insurance policies offer some level of coverage for landscaping damage caused by certain perils. These perils typically include:

• Fire: If a fire damages your trees, shrubs, or other landscaping features, your insurance may cover the cost of removal and, in some cases, replacement.
• Lightning: Similar to fire, a lightning strike that damages your landscaping elements may be covered for removal and potential replacement.
• Theft: While not as common, some insurance policies offer coverage for stolen plants or landscaping features.
• Vandalism: If vandals wreak havoc on your yard, damaging trees, shrubs, or other landscaping elements, your insurance may cover the cost of repairs or replacements.
• Windstorm and Hail: If a severe storm damages your trees, destroy your garden shed, or ruins your carefully manicured flower beds, your insurance may provide coverage depending on the policy specifics.

Is There a Coverage Limit for Landscaping?

While your home insurance may cover certain types of landscaping damage, there's usually a limit to how much the insurance company will pay. This limit is often a percentage of your dwelling coverage (the amount of insurance you have for your home structure). For example, if your dwelling coverage is $200,000 and your policy offers 5% coverage for landscaping, the maximum payout for landscaping damage would be $10,000. It's crucial to check your policy details to understand the specific limits associated with landscaping coverage.

When Won't Home Insurance Cover Landscaping Damage?

There are situations where your home insurance coverage won't include landscaping damage. Here are some common exclusions:

• Normal Wear and Tear: Over time, your landscaping will naturally deteriorate due to weather and use. This type of gradual damage isn't covered by insurance.
• Neglect and Maintenance Issues: Failing to properly maintain your yard (e.g., neglecting diseased trees) can lead to damage that won't be covered by insurance.
• Insect and Pest Damage: If insects or pests, such as termites or beetles, damage your landscaping, your insurance policy likely won't provide coverage.
• Flooding and Earthquake Damage: Standard homeowners insurance typically excludes damage caused by floods and earthquakes. However, you can purchase additional coverage for these specific perils.

Does Home Insurance Cover Yard Erosion or Garden Walls?

Erosion caused by normal weather patterns isn't typically covered by homeowners insurance. However, if a sudden event, like a powerful storm, causes significant erosion damage, your policy may offer some coverage depending on the specific cause. For damage to garden walls, the answer depends on whether the wall is considered a "structure" attached to your dwelling. Attached structures typically receive some level of coverage under most policies.

Do I Need Additional Coverage for My Landscaping?

If you have valuable landscaping features, expensive plants, or live in an area prone to specific hazards, consider purchasing additional coverage. Here are some options:

• Increased Limits for Dwelling Coverage: By increasing your dwelling coverage, you automatically increase the amount of coverage available for landscaping damage (as it's typically a percentage of dwelling coverage).
• Scheduled Personal Property: If you have particularly valuable plants or landscaping features, you may be able to schedule them on your policy for additional protection.
• Flood Insurance: If you live in a flood-prone area, consider purchasing separate flood insurance to protect your landscaping from flood damage.

Protect Your Yard with Our Comprehensive Home Insurance Coverage

By familiarizing yourself with the home insurance coverage details and limitations, you can make informed decisions about protecting your beautiful yard. At Fuller Insurance Agency, our experienced agents can review your current policy, discuss your landscaping features, and help you determine the best coverage options to keep your entire property safe and secure. Contact us today to create a customized plan that protects your investment. Call us at (800) 640-4238 for a quick consultation.