Patio furniture can turn a patch of outdoor space into an oasis, a hideaway from the world, where you can relax with comfortable flair, enjoying fresh air and the great outdoors. Because patio furniture is one of the most exposed pieces of furniture to the elements, it has a greater risk of damage from storms, theft, or other unexpected events. This brings about a common question among many homeowners: does patio furniture fall under home insurance? In this post, we are going to discuss the answer, break it down typically with the things covered, and give some tips on how to protect your outdoor furniture investment.
Transform your outdoor space into a stylish oasis with our stunning 4-Piece Patio Furniture Set!
Does Home Insurance Cover Patio Furniture?
Generally speaking, yes. In most cases, patio furniture is covered by your standard home insurance policy. This is because home insurance covers personal possessions inside and outside of your residence, with patio furniture certainly falling into that category. However, details about the coverage, including types of damage covered and limits on claims, vary significantly. Here's a detailed account of typical scenarios in which patio furniture would be protected under your home insurance policy.
Types of Coverage Usually Applied to Patio Furniture
There are usually two significant types of coverage in home insurance that may apply to patio furniture: personal property coverage and liability coverage.
1. Personal Property Coverage
Personal property coverage, better known as contents coverage, is a part of your home insurance that covers everything you own, from furniture and electronics to clothes. Because of this, patio furniture would often fall into this category since it constitutes personal property, even though it falls outside your house.
Commonly Covered Incidents:
Weather Damage: If a strong storm damages your patio furniture-think hail dings or debris carried by wind, for instance-your policy might cover repairs or replacement.
Fire: Since fire tends to be one of the named perils, most policies will cover outdoor furniture. Theft or Vandalism: Personal property coverage may pay to repair or replace the items when patio furniture is stolen, or it's vandalized.
Example: Suppose a storm comes through your neighborhood and causes one of your tree branches to fall off and break your patio table. Your personal property coverage could help pay to replace the table, less your deductible and subject to your coverage limit.
2. Liability Coverage
The very moment that someone would get injured on your property and the courts find you liable, liability would kick in. This could easily occur when a person accidentally trips over or otherwise gets injured by patio furniture. Liability insurance can cover some of these instances for medical bills or attorney fees.
Example: If your patio chair causes a tripping hazard and injures a guest, your liability coverage can cover the medical expenses or litigation costs if sued.
What Is Not Covered? Limitations and Exclusions
While home insurance covers patio furniture in many scenarios, there are still some limitations and exclusions. Here's what you need to consider about the gaps in protection:
1. Neglect or Wear and Tear
Home insurance coverage does not include any loss caused by normal wear and tear, or by neglect or a failure to maintain the home. For example, if your patio furniture rusts over time, or shows typical wear from years in the elements, it will not be covered.
2. Flood and Earthquake Damage
Standard home insurance policies do not usually cover damage resulting from flood or earthquake. So, if either one of those events is common in a location, you will need added coverage through a separate flood or earthquake insurance policy.
Example: You cannot expect your standard home insurance policy to pay your loss for ruined patio furniture if a flood hit your home because it does not usually pay for damages related to floods. In this scenario, you will need to rely on an existing flood insurance to cover your loss.
3. Coverage Limits and Deductibles
Limits and deductibles on personal property coverage may restrict the amount for which you can file a claim on patio furniture. A coverage limit is the most an insurer will pay for a covered loss. A deductible is the amount that you must pay out of pocket before coverage kicks in. If you have very expensive outdoor furniture, you will probably want to increase your personal property limit or look into additional coverage.
How to Ensure Your Patio Furniture is Fully Protected
Patio furniture can be an investment, and so it is worth that extra step to make sure it's covered. Here is how you can ensure your outdoor furniture receives full protection:
1. Check Your Policy Details
Not all homeowners' policies are the same. Check to see if your policy's personal property and liability sections cover patio furniture, including coverage limits and exclusions that may apply.
2. Think About Scheduled Personal Property Coverage
If you have high-value patio furniture, consider adding a scheduled personal property endorsement to your policy. This is for further coverage of items that are valuable enough to be scheduled, and outdoor furniture could fall under that if it meets the threshold in cost to be scheduled.
3. Invest in Weather-Resistant Covers
Good-quality, waterproof covers are a great proactive way to protect your furniture from rain, sun, and wind. Some covers even have UV protection that can help prevent fading. Covers will not completely avoid damage but will reduce the frequency of repairs, hence increasing the life of furniture.
4. Anchor or Secure Furniture During Storms
If you are located in an area that has high winds, then you might want to tie down the larger patio furniture to the ground so it is not damaged during storms. You can anchor it to the ground, store it in a garage or even a shed, or use covers of a heavy-duty nature with tie-downs so as to avoid wind damage.
5. Photograph and Document Your Furniture
In any form of incident where your patio furniture becomes lost or damaged, clear photos and records of your patio furniture will lighten the burden of the claim process. Keep receipts and records of purchase plus a list of replacement costs on hand to make documentation easy should you have to file a claim.
6. Add Flood Insurance If Necessary
With the addition of flood insurance for those in flood-prone areas, patio furniture damage is covered in cases of flooding. Quite often, flood insurance will cover contents outside your home, which may be a safeguard if your furniture is at risk.
Real-Life Example: Patio Furniture Coverage in Action
Take, for example, Emma, a homeowner who decided to spend money on an attractive patio set in her yard. This summer, a terrible storm went through her city, and the patio furniture was ruined due to debris being blown everywhere. Fortunately, Emma had read through her home insurance policy earlier and knew that her furniture fell under the category of personal property. She could file her claim, photos taken of what happened, and be able to replace her patio set with minimal out-of-pocket expense.
Emma's experience just goes to show how critical it is to understand the details of your coverage and take steps to prepare for documenting losses. This will make the claims process so much easier should your patio furniture ever get damaged.
Conclusion: Home Insurance Patio Furniture Protection
Patio furniture is an investment in your outdoor space, and it is entitled to protection just like any of your other indoor belongings. While most home insurance policies cover patio furniture under personal property and liability, that is something you want to learn about the particularities of your policy. Knowing what is and isn't covered, and how to protect it proactively, could save you from some surprise expenses.
Take a few precautions and know what your policy clearly says, and you'll be able to enjoy your outdoor oasis without cares, knowing your patio furniture is very well-protected. As you savor your time outside, you'll also feel confident in knowing your insurance has got you covered when the unexpected strikes.
Transform your outdoor space into a stylish oasis with our stunning 4-Piece Patio Furniture Set!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is outdoor furniture automatically covered under home insurance?
Yes, most of the time, outdoor furniture is considered in the home insurance policy under personal property coverage; however, what precisely is being covered must be discerned from your policy details.
2. Does Home Insurance Include Patio Furniture Damaged by Storms?
Most home insurance policies will cover patio furniture damages due to storms like strong winds, hails, and falling debris.
3. What if my patio furniture has been stolen?
Theft is a broad, general category that usually falls under personal property; therefore, your policy probably covers patio furniture theft, minus your deductible and less any coverage limit.
4. Are there any specific precautions I can take to prevent patio furniture loss?
Yes! Purchasing weather-resistant covers, securing furniture in bad weather, and storing furniture in a garage or house when not in use will go a long way in keeping outdoor furniture from destruction.
0 comments
Post a Comment