Does home insurance cover window replacement?

Whether or not your homeowners insurance will cover damages to your home's windows will depend on numerous factors, including what caused the damage in the first place.

What is homeowners insurance?

Home insurance, also known as homeowners insurance, is a special type of coverage that is meant to protect your property and investment against certain unforeseen events. Within a standard plan, you'll find the following policies:

Property damage coverage

Property damage coverage, also known as dwelling coverage, protects the physical structure of your home and the contents within it, including your personal belongings, appliances, and more, from certain risks. A typically covered peril under basic structures coverage includes theft, vandalism, water damage, fires, and severe storms such as hail and high winds.

Personal liability insurance

The second portion of standard homeowners insurance is liability insurance. With liability insurance, you'll be protected in the event you accidentally damage property belonging to a third party or if someone is injured on your property and files a lawsuit against you for damages. With this coverage, your insurance provider will cover repairs, replacement costs, medical expenses, legal fees, and other associated expenses.

Is window repair covered by my insurance company?

Whether or not your homeowner's insurance will cover window replacement costs depends on how the window was damaged in the first place. Here's a closer look at what types of window damage are considered a covered peril and when they will not be considered one:

Instances where your homeowner's insurance will cover a broken window

Below, we'll explore situations in which your homeowner's insurance may cover a broken window:

Weather/certain natural disasters

Home insurance covers accidental damage caused by wind storms, hail, and other severe weather conditions that are listed in your policy.

Vandalism

If your home experiences intentional damage caused by vandalism that leads to a broken window, your glass replacement will be compensated.

Theft

In the event you experience a break-in and, during the break-in, one or more of your windows suffer damage, your windows will be covered, and a replacement will be compensated. If a theft does occur in your home, make sure to take a home inventory of your belongings that were stolen so you can report it during your claims process with your provider.

Instances where your homeowner's insurance will not cover a broken window

In the following section, we will examine situations in which your homeowner's insurance will not cover a broken window:

Aging home

If your windows are aging and experience a seal failure due to old age, your insurance provider will not cover the cost of a window frame replacement. To ensure that your home remains in good condition, conducting inspections and fixing problems as they come up, as opposed to leaving them alone, is recommended. Small problems can turn into major repairs and thousands of dollars in costs, which is something no homeowner wants to deal with at the end of the day.

General wear and tear

Gradual wear and tear is not considered a peril covered under insurance. Normal wear, such as broken window seals, mould and mildew growth, poor insulation, and more, is up to homeowners to pay for on their own. To ensure that you are able to prevent extensive damage to your home and deal with natural wear and tear before certain damages occur, make sure to book yearly home inspections.

Intentional damage

Any form of intentional damage or criminal act that occurs on your property that leads to damaged windows will not be covered. For example, if your windows are experiencing normal wear and tear and you do not want to pay for your new windows yourself, causing damage to your home in an attempt to get an insurance payout is considered fraud. As such, your insurance will not provide coverage to you in this scenario.

Remember that insurance providers will do their due diligence when investigating your claim. Because of this, any intentional acts to commit insurance fraud can lead to your policy being cancelled altogether and further consequences.

How do I file a broken window claim?

Window replacements can be a hassle to deal with, especially if you've never filed a claim with your insurance company prior. To ensure that your window replacement claim is processed as quickly as possible, follow our step-by-step instructions below:

1. Review your policy

The first thing you need to do is confirm whether your insurance will cover window replacements. You can do this when you review your home insurance policy, which you should have a copy of at home. Alternatively, you can find this information with your insurance company online.

2. Contact your insurance company

Now that you've confirmed your home insurance will cover your damaged window, you can go ahead and call your insurance provider. At this time, you'll speak with an insurance agent who will ask you a series of questions about what happened to cause the window damage.

3. Get an adjuster assigned

After your call with an insurance agent, they'll go ahead and file a request for an adjuster who will be with you for the rest of your claims journey. You'll likely receive a confirmation email that contains your claims number and adjuster contact information or a letter in the mail.

4. Document the damaged windows

In the meantime, you'll need to document the broken windows around your home. Make sure to take as many photos and videos as you can. The more evidence you provide for your insurance claim, the more likely you will receive compensation under your insurance coverage.

5. Have a contractor investigate the damage

Depending on your adjuster, they may have a contractor come to your home to evaluate the broken windows as part of their investigation and to confirm how the damage was caused.

6. Get a window replacement quote

Now, you can go ahead and get a quote for your window repair. Your adjuster may have a list of vetted contractors that they have worked with previously for window replacements. Other times, they may be okay with you finding a contractor on your own.

7. Get your window replacement approved by your adjuster

Once a quote has been provided to your adjuster, they'll usually give you the go-ahead with your window replacement.

8. Receive compensation for your window replacement

After the window replacement is complete, you will need to submit your invoice to your insurance provider and wait for your adjuster to reimburse you for the costs. Homeowners insurance typically pays you with a direct deposit or cheque in the mail.

Are broken windows something you're concerned about with your home? Preventative home insurance claims can be frustrating. But with the right homeowner's insurance in place, you can have peace of mind knowing that you won't have to pay out of your own pocket for damages.

Contact BrokerLink for high-quality home insurance

Need to file a personal insurance claim under your home insurance policy? Thinking about purchasing high-value home insurance for your prized possessions or renovations insurance before your new home upgrade? As luck would have it, you've come to the right place!

BrokerLink is a leading Canadian brokerage with years of professional experience working with Canadians just like you. With locations across the country, there's likely a BrokerLink location in your area.

To work with one of our experienced brokers in person, come on in and visit us at one of our offices! If you aren't nearby, you can always reach us over the phone during business hours.

Need an insurance quote right away? Don't hesitate to take advantage of our free online quote tool that you can access from any device, whether you're at home or on the go!

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FAQs about whether home insurance covers window replacement

How much does home insurance cost?

Generally speaking, the average home insurance cost in Canada is around $1000 annually. That said, this is just an estimate, and the exact amount you pay for insurance coverage will depend on numerous factors that are unique to each property and homeowner. Common factors an insurance company will consider when calculating your insurance premiums include where your home is located, the coverage limits you choose, whether you're adding additional coverage to your portfolio, your current home value and its condition, your previous claims history, and more. As such, when purchasing homeowners insurance, make sure to get multiple quotes from different providers to find the best deal within your budget that aligns with your unique insurance needs.

How can I save on home insurance?

Although having home insurance policies is an added cost to your monthly expenses, there are ways you can save on your coverage. For example, we recommend you look into insurance bundles if you already have auto insurance, life insurance, or other types of coverage. Most insurance providers offer a discount to those who bundle their policies as a way of saying thanks for staying loyal to their company. Another way you can save is to ask about other available discounts. There are often savings available for those who install security cameras on their property and for remaining claims-free, among others.

Additionally, you may want to consider paying for your homeowner's insurance upfront rather than monthly. Most insurance companies add an administrative fee to those who pay monthly, as they need to cover the cost of processing your payment. By paying for your homeowner's insurance in one go, you can avoid these added costs. Lastly, consider working with a broker. Brokers work independently from insurance companies and can help you shop around, give you home insurance advice, compare quotes, and secure deals for free!

Do I need a police report for my window replacement claim?

Whether or not a police report is required for a claim with your insurance provider for a window replacement depends on how the window was damaged. For example, if your home is broken into or another type of crime occurs, you will need to call the police. By filing a police report with your window replacement claim, your provider will have a better idea of what happened during the incident overall. The more evidence you provide them, the easier it will be for them to come to a decision about whether your claim is true, which in turn will result in you being compensated for the damages more efficiently.

Will my insurance cover window replacement if the window is in my detached garage?

So, are your broken windows covered by your insurance if the window itself is located on a secondary structure on your property? The short answer is yes, you will have coverage if your garage that is detached from your main home experiences a shattered window if it has been damaged by a covered event that is listed in your policy. The property coverage portion of your home coverage extends from your home to secondary structures on your property, including sheds, garages, and more. As such, you will need to follow the exact claims process with your insurer to receive compensation for any damages.

Do I need to pay a deductible before my insurance will cover my windows?

Yes, you will need to pay a deductible before insurance covers your broken windows as a result of a covered event that is listed in your home insurance. Deductible amounts can range anywhere between $500 and $2000. Before filing a claim to have your windows covered, take a look at what the cost would be to replace it on your own compared to your deductible. If the window expenses are well over your deductible, filing a claim with your provider is recommended. In some scenarios, fixing or replacing your windows on your own may be more affordable than paying your deductible. It's up to you to decide which route to choose.

If you have any questions, contact one of our local branches.