Home Home insurance Home Insurance Basics Our garage is very unstable. Do we have to wait until it falls over to file an insurance claim? It is a hazard! Our garage is very unstable. Do we have to wait until it falls over to file an insurance claim? It is a hazard! By Barbara Marquand | Posted on July 21, 2011 Why you should trust Insure.com Quality Verified At Insure.com, we are committed to providing honest and reliable information so that you can make the best financial decisions for you and your family. All of our content is written and reviewed by industry professionals and insurance experts. We maintain strict editorial independence from insurance companies to maintain editorial integrity, so our recommendations are unbiased and are based on a comprehensive list of criteria. No, you don’t have to wait until the garage falls down to file a claim, but whether home insurance covers the repairs depends on your policy, as well as what caused the damage and when. If the damage is a result of a peril that’s covered by the policy, such as fire or a hailstorm, then home insurance should theoretically cover the cost of repairs. In that case you should file a claim as soon as possible. The claim may be denied if you wait too long. But if the garage is unstable because of lack of maintenance over the years or sloppy construction, then it’s your responsibility to pay for fixing it. Home insurance generally does not cover damage that stems from maintenance issues, such as termite infestation or water damage from a slow leak, because insurers figure you could have prevented the problem. Most perils that aren’t your fault and are not tied to maintenance issues are covered by standard home insurance, but there are exceptions. Earthquakes and floods, for instance, are not covered by home insurance. You must buy separate policies for protection from those disasters. Read your home insurance policy and talk to your insurance agent to understand what’s covered and what’s excluded. Regardless of whether insurance covers repairs to the garage, do whatever is necessary to ensure the safety of your family and anyone else who visits your home. If the garage is as unstable as you say, then do whatever is needed to stabilize the structure and prevent it from collapsing on someone. For more, see home insurance basics. QuickTake How to find a homeowners insurance policy Guide to additional living expenses coverage Homeowners insurance basics How to create a home inventory list Why you should hire a public insurance adjuster Does homeowners insurance cover theft? Do I need homeowners insurance? How to shop for homeowners insurance in five steps What does homeowners insurance cover? Home insurance inspection: how to prepare a checklist How can I get homeowners insurance after non-renewal? Can a homeowners insurance company drop you? 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