Does homeowners insurance cover rotting wood?

Why you can trust Insure.com

Quality Verified

At Insure.com, we are committed to providing the timely, accurate and expert information consumers need to make smart insurance decisions. All our content is written and reviewed by industry professionals and insurance experts. Our team carefully vets our rate data to ensure we only provide reliable and up-to-date insurance pricing. We follow the highest editorial standards. Our content is based solely on objective research and data gathering. We maintain strict editorial independence to ensure unbiased coverage of the insurance industry.

Homeowners insurance typically does not cover rotting wood, as it is considered a maintenance issue rather than sudden or accidental damage. Rotting wood is usually a result of neglect, wear and tear, or long-term exposure to moisture, all of which are generally excluded from standard homeowners insurance policies. To prevent such issues, regular maintenance and timely repairs are necessary, as insurance is designed to cover unexpected events, not gradual deterioration.

However, if you can prove the rot was caused by a covered peril, your home insurance might cover it.

Below we’ll explain how and when home insurance covers rotting wood.

Key Takeaways

Homeowners insurance only covers rotting wood when it is the result of a covered peril and the damage happened suddenly and unexpectedly.
If wood rot was caused by negligence or old materials, then your homeowners insurance likely won’t pay for the damages.
Mold caused by wood rot will only be covered if it is caused by a covered peril.

Does homeowners insurance cover rotting wood?

The only time homeowners insurance covers wood rot is when it is the result of a covered peril and that damage is sudden and accidental. For example, the accidental discharge or overflow of water from a household appliance is a peril covered by most homeowner policies.

If a pipe bursts and causes water damage to your floor joist, you likely could make a claim that will be approved if you filed at the time of the damage. If instead, it appears that the rot isn’t caused by a certain event but is a result of aging materials and poor maintenance, your claim likely won’t be approved.

And if there’s mold, it will also only be covered if it’s caused by a covered peril, like a burst pipe. Mold caused by water due to condensation, excessive humidity or flooding is typically excluded from coverage provided by a home insurance policy.

Does homeowners insurance cover sagging floors and subfloor damage?

Sagging floors are a structural issue. They may be caused by a water leak or flooding, but could also be caused by termites, soil settlement or other structural issues. Regardless of the cause, sagging floor joists can be dangerous in a home and need to be resolved.

Whether or not your homeowners insurance covers saggy floors depends on various factors. If the sagging floors are the result of a covered peril, you’ll likely be covered. Otherwise, you’ll be on your own.

Does homeowners insurance cover dry rot?

If the dry rot was caused by a covered peril and not the result of negligence, the home insurance company will usually cover the claim. However, most commonly, dry rot is the result of a leak or flood incident and then poor ventilation to the area. Many homeowners insurance companies consider dry rot to be a preventable issue, meaning it likely won’t be covered.

QuickTake

Does homeowners insurance cover a leaking washing machine?

Guide to the insurance claims history report (CLUE)

How much do claims increase home insurance rates?

Home insurance claims: How to file and what you should know

Can insurance companies cancel your policy if your home is vacant?

Is carpenter ant damage covered by homeowners insurance?

How to file a successful mold claim

Does homeowners insurance cover water damage?

Does home insurance cover lightning strikes?

Does homeowners insurance cover tornado damage?

Does homeowners insurance cover mold?

Does home insurance cover damage from fallen trees?

Does home insurance cover roof damage from heavy snow?

What is sewer backup insurance?

Does homeowners insurance cover storage units?

How do I find the homeowners insurance policy after a parent passes away?

Does home insurance cover accidental kitchen fires?

Can insurance companies enter your house or examine your car?

Are pools and hot tubs covered by homeowners insurance?

Does homeowners insurance cover power surges and outages?

Mistakes to avoid when filing a car insurance claim

Don't get snookered by fake roof damage scams

What to do when lightning hits your house

Chain saw massacre: Insurance for downed trees

My husband fell in our home and broke his ankle. Will our homeowners insurance cover this since the accident happened in our home?

One of my trees fell into my neighbor's yard last night during a storm. It did not cause any damage. Do I need to call my home insurance company to file a claim?

That's gross! Why home insurance won't pay for disgusting problems

We left a faucet turned on in my home and it caused water damage

The trouble with drunk friends

Homeowners premiums fluctuate with community's fire-fighting ability

Does homeowners insurance cover structural problems?

Structural problems can be quite complex. Sometimes a structural issue is the result of something like a severe storm that causes flooding or a burst pipe. Other times, the issue may be caused by improper materials used to build the home or even soil settling. If your structural problems are caused by covered perils — and not the result of neglecting to resolve or report an issue — home insurance may cover it.

Does homeowners insurance cover floor damage?

Homeowners insurance covers floor damage if it was caused by a covered peril and is sudden and unexpected damage. However, if the damage was caused due to negligence over time, your homeowners insurance policy won’t cover it.

Penny Gusner

Contributor

Penny is an expert on insurance procedures, rates, policies and claims. She has extensive knowledge of all major insurance lines -- auto, homeowners, life and health insurance. She has been answering consumers’ questions as an analyst for more than 15 years and has been featured in numerous major media outlets, including the Washington Post and Kiplinger’s.