Depending on where you live, your foundation could be at risk.The soil under the foundation could erode, there could be cracks from tree roots or the foundation could collapse.Having homeowners’ insurance should make you breathe easier, right? Well, don’t get too comfortable.

Foundations fail for a number of reasons.Some of those reasons are covered without question and some are not.These decisions are based on the cause of the foundation’s damage.

If it’s due to natural causes, fire, or plumbing damage.A general rule of thumb is that any event the home is covered by may fall under coverage if that was the reason for the foundation’s failure.For areas that have extreme floods, earthquakes, or severe storms, a separate policy may be required, which is standard practice.

What’s my responsibility? As a homeowner, natural wear and tear should be expected.It’s important to know that foundations do shift over time which can lead to cracks.Making sure the foundation is in good shape on a regular basis is not only important but also the homeowner’s responsibility.

What damages a home’s foundation? Faulty drainage When your drainage is bad, wet and dry patches can form under your home.This can definitely affect the foundation.Make sure the gutters are clear and sending water away from the home, and the ground around your home is sloped away from the home.

Faulty pre-build ground preparation If the soil under the foundation is problematic before the home is built, chances are the house will settle over time and start having cracks.Knowing the type of soil needed based on the climate is key.Tree roots Large trees close to the home will eventually have roots that damage the foundation.

This can cause cracks starting from the outside which eventually starts cracking the foundation inside.Fluctuations in the weather Frequent fluctuations in the weather will cause the soil to shrink and expand, creating damage to your foundation.What happens if your foundation is not covered by homeowners’ insurance? The options aren’t that great.

In most cases, you may have to pay out of pocket to get the foundation fixed unless you can prove the damage was part of one of the existing covered reasons.The best thing to do is get a foundation specialist or contractor to examine and assess the damage.Their report can assist in making a case for the damage to be covered.

Can I prevent damage to my foundation? While you cannot prevent shifting soil, there are some things you can do to help protect your foundation.One of the best things you can do is keeping moisture away from the home.A foundation specialist will be able to help in getting a system to accomplish this.

Once a file is claimed, an adjuster will assess the damage pointed out by the foundation specialist.If they can determine the damage is something that should be covered, that’s great.If not, the insurance company will not cover it.

Now is the time to review your homeowner’s insurance policy to make sure you are covered in the event of a foundational fail.