Does Homeowners Insurance Cover a Broken Window?

We get this question on almost every break-in call, usually while someone is standing in their living room looking at glass on the carpet. The honest answer is "it depends on why it broke and what your deductible is." Here is how it usually shakes out.

Every policy is different and we are a glass company, not an insurance agent. Use this to know what to ask, then confirm with your agent or your policy.

What is usually covered

Homeowners policies are built around sudden, accidental damage from what the policy calls covered perils. For windows, that typically includes:

• Break-ins and attempted break-ins. The broken glass and often the damaged frame or door are part of the claim, along with anything stolen.
• Vandalism. A rock through the front window, a smashed slider. One catch: many policies stop covering vandalism if the home has been sitting vacant for an extended period, often 60 days.
• Storms and wind. Wind-driven debris or a limb coming down on the house.
• Falling objects and fire.

What is usually not covered

• Foggy or cloudy dual pane windows. A failed seal is age and wear, not sudden damage. Insurers treat it as maintenance. The fix is replacing the sealed glass unit, which we explain in why are my windows foggy between the panes.
• Gradual deterioration. Rotted wood sashes, corroded aluminum frames, sashes that will not stay up.
• Cracks that grew over time. A crack that started as a chip and spread with the summer heat is hard to tie to a single event.
• Poor installation. Leaks and failures caused by how a window was installed usually go back to the installer or the window warranty.

Do the deductible math first

This is where a lot of claims fall apart. Many policies now carry deductibles of $1,000 or more. If replacing one broken pane costs less than your deductible, the insurer pays nothing, but the claim can still end up on your claims history, which insurers look at when they price your renewal.

So before you call your insurance company, get a written estimate for the glass. If the repair is well under your deductible, most people simply pay for it. If the damage is bigger, like a slider, several windows or a break-in with other losses, filing usually makes more sense.

When someone else broke it

If a neighbor's kid sent a baseball through your window, or a landscaper's mower threw a rock into your slider, the person or business responsible may be the one who pays, through their own homeowners or business liability coverage. Get their contact information, take photos and keep the estimate. Many neighbors would rather just pay for the glass directly.

Renters and landlords

If you rent, the building itself, including the window glass, is generally the landlord's responsibility to repair. California's habitability law lists unbroken windows and doors as part of keeping a rental weatherproof. If the tenant or a guest caused the damage, the landlord may pass the cost along. Renters insurance mainly protects your belongings, not the building. Property managers can read our guide for Sacramento rentals and apartments.

What to document before anything gets cleaned up

1. Wide photos of the window from inside and outside, then close ups of the damage
2. Photos of anything on the floor and any damage to the frame, blinds or flooring
3. A police report number for any break-in or vandalism
4. The date and time you found it
5. A written, itemized estimate that lists the glass type, such as tempered, Low-E or dual pane
6. Receipts for any board up or temporary repairs

Most policies expect you to take reasonable steps to keep the damage from getting worse, like covering an open window. The cost of a board up is often part of the claim, so keep the invoice. If you need help with that first hour, see what to do after a window breaks.