Homeowners insurance provides essential protection when an owner’s home becomes damaged in some way.

Typically, insurance agents see claims related to storm damage, fire, and other no-fault accidents or mistakes that cause damage to the house.

Other times, homeowners insurance agencies deal with more unique cases where another person might actually be the at-fault party.

The coverage provided by an insurance policy depends on the happenings in each individual case.

Who Is Responsible for Property Damage to A Home?

It is bad enough when an accident at home causes damage that results in a homeowners insurance claim, but what happens when someone else causes that damage?

The key question that insurance agencies must answer in these instances is who is at fault.

Liability for property damage, whether to someone’s house, their fence, their mailbox, or any other property covered by their homeowners insurance policy, lies with the party that is found responsible for causing the damage once an investigation is performed.

Whether that party is the driver of a car that hits a house, the owner of a tree that falls on a house, or even the homeowner themselves, the responsible party is the one liable for the damage.

Homeowners Insurance May Cover Property Damage When No One Else Does

When property damage is caused to someone’s house by another person, the at-fault party’s insurance must cover the damages.

The auto insurance policy of a driver that causes damage to a house is liable for that damage, as is the homeowners insurance agency for someone whose tree falls on a neighbor’s house.

In cases where the other party is uninsured or underinsured and the damage caused is more than what the insurance policy of the at-fault party can pay, homeowners insurance policies may pay the rest based on the inclusions and limitations of that policy.

Although damage caused by another party can usually be covered by that individual's home or auto insurance policies, homeowners insurance agents stress the importance of having coverage that will still cover this damage in cases where third-party policies are insufficient or there is no insurance.

Watch To Learn How Homeowners Insurance Works In Different Property Damage Claims

In this informative video Brad Hurt, partner at Service Insurance Group, talks about homeowners insurance agency responsibility after property damage has occurred and how homeowners can get their damage covered.

Protect Homes Against Property Damage With A Homeowners Insurance Policy

Property damage happens and when it does, homeowners insurance is there to help homeowners get their property repaired.

Experienced insurance agents will help homeowners determine who is at fault as they seek compensation for damages, then fill in financial gaps should that compensation not be enough.

A knowledgeable homeowners insurance agency can help homeowners determine which types of property damage coverage they need and how to best protect their homes, even when the damage is not their fault.