Often not, unless your policy has extra coverage for it. The Texas Department of Insurance lists damage to foundations or slabs as an add-on you can buy, and coverage varies by company.
It depends on your policy, and many standard policies do not cover it on their own. The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) home insurance guide lists "damage to foundations or slabs" as an example of an endorsement, which is a policy add-on that adds or increases coverage. Most companies offer endorsements, according to TDI.
This site is a free referral service. It cannot tell you what your policy covers. Your policy and your insurance company decide that. Policy names and forms differ, so the words in your own documents matter more than any general rule. If a term is unclear, ask your agent to explain it in writing before you need it.
TDI says most policies cover some kinds of damage and not others. Foundation problems often start with a cause on the not-covered side. The guide lists these:
The cause decides which line of the policy applies. Texas engineers say foundation movement has many possible causes, including soil that shrinks and swells with moisture, design or construction problems, extra loads, material deterioration, landscaping, leaking plumbing and slope movement. Texas A&M AgriLife adds that foundation cracks can break pipes.
A plumbing leak under a house is a good example. A sudden burst and a slow continuous leak sit on opposite sides of TDI's list. Which one applies to a real claim depends on the facts and the exact policy wording, so do not guess.
That is also why an engineer's evaluation can matter. The engineers' guidelines say an evaluation can give opinions on the probable causes of distress. A written cause opinion can be a useful record when you talk to an insurer.
Read your policy now, before you have a problem. Look for a foundation or slab endorsement, its dollar limit and your deductible. TDI says every claim has a deductible, which is the amount you pay yourself, and policies have dollar limits.
If damage happens, TDI says to tell your company as soon as possible, because most companies have deadlines for filing a claim. TDI also says a company must accept or deny a claim within 15 business days of getting all the information it needs from you. If you think a company wrongly denied a claim, you can complain to TDI. TDI says a complaint must be in writing.
Call your insurance agent or company first about coverage and deadlines. Call a Texas licensed engineer when you need to know what is moving and why.
TDI's guide lists damage to foundations or slabs as an optional endorsement. It does not say standard coverage includes it. Check your own policy.
TDI's guide does not address drought. TDI lists wear and tear and earth movement among the risks most policies do not cover. Ask your company about your policy.
TDI says most companies have deadlines, so tell your company as soon as possible. For Texas Windstorm Insurance Association wind and hail policies, TDI says you have one year from the date of damage.
You can complain to the Texas Department of Insurance. TDI says complaints must be in writing.
West Texas Foundation Repair is a free referral service, not a contractor. Request a free quote from a local foundation repair contractor.