Often, when people have certain improvements made to the house, they don’t inform their Homeowners Insurance agency, which can lead to problems if they ever need coverage. They may let the agent know if they have an addition constructed, such as a living room or an extra bedroom and bathroom. However, they may not think it’s necessary to call the agent if they have a carport or a deck constructed, or if they have the patio converted to a screened-in back porch. Any changes like this should be communicated to the insurance representative in case changes to the policy are in order.
In fact, not all companies are willing to cover screened-in enclosures, especially in regions that are prone to severe storms. Some insurance providers view this feature as a significant risk for damage and insurance claims. This viewpoint is more typical in regions vulnerable to hurricanes, such as Florida and even northward up the eastern coast. However, it can factor into underwriting in Ohio as well. Others may require customers to add an extra provision to their Homeowners Insurance policy if they want the enclosure included. It can wind up costing the property owner a great deal of money if a strong storm ever does hit the area and blow the enclosure down or level it with a falling tree.
Some precise details may matter to different insurers. For instance, a screened enclosure may be constructed with a roof extending from the house or garage over the porch area, with no separation. This may qualify the enclosure as part of the house, compared with an enclosure that has a separate roof of fiberglass, aluminum or another material. It’s less likely to blow away during straight-line winds or during strong winds from a tornado in the area.
When having a home improvement feature constructed onto the exterior of the house, the homeowner may contact a business such as Schlather Insurance Agency to learn more about how various companies view the new structure. An independent agency can provide information and quotes from numerous insurers and is not tied to one particular company. Visit or their Facebook page for details.
