Are you upgrading your windows with solar screens to block those dangerous UV rays from invading your house? If so, you are smart to inquire about homeowners insurance for solar screens. Fortunately, yes, typically, solar screens are covered by most standard homeowners insurance policies.
Solar screen window treatments are an excellent way to lower your energy bills and the temperature of your home. They also protect materials, like silk curtains, from getting sun damaged by intense UV rays.
When Does Home Insurance Cover Solar Screens?
Most standard home insurance policies cover your solar screens when one of 16 perils damages them. A peril is a terrible event, like a fire, that damages or completely destroys your house or personal belongings, or both. If your solar screens are damaged or destroyed by one of these 16 hazards, your HO3 standard home insurance policy probably covers them:
- Volcanic Eruption
- Fire and or lightning
- Smoke from a fire
- Freezing
- Vandalism
- Unforeseen and abrupt damage from overflow or exudation of water and or steam
- Explosion
- The weight of sleet, ice, or snow
- Aircraft
- Theft
- Unexpected and sudden destruction from power surges
- Riots
- Vehicles
- Falling objects
- Windstorm and hail
- Unforeseen and sudden loss from tearing or bulging or burning or cracking
Standard policies also exclude specific perils. If your solar screens are damaged by one of these common exclusions, they probably will not be covered:
- Vandalism — if vacant 30+ days
- Nuclear hazard
- Pets
- Government action
- Mold, wet rot, fungus
- Intentional loss
- Earth movement
- Water damage from disasters like floods and or sewer backups
- Wear and tear
- Power failure
- Smog, corrosion, rust
- Mechanical breakdown
- Theft, if a house is undergoing construction
- Neglect
- War
- Ordinance or law
Other types of home insurance policies include and exclude different dangers. This article provides a list of perils by policy type. Check that article if you have a condo, co-op, townhome, rental, historic or older home, mobile home, or super cheap homeowners insurance.
Homeowners Insurance Endorsements for your Solar Screens
If you have concerns about exclusions that might damage your solar screens, you can buy a home insurance endorsement. The endorsement is an add-on to your policy that provides additional coverage for specific items. In this case, you would list your solar screens on an endorsement.
Be sure to include receipts, the price you paid, serial numbers, pictures, and any other information to prove what solar screens you have and what you paid for them. Submitting this proof will help you get a speedy, stress-free insurance claim reimbursement if something goes wrong.
Homeowners Insurance Floaters for your Solar Screens
If your solar screens cost more than $5,000, a floater add-on to your home insurance may be a better product since endorsements are usually limited to $5,000 of maximum coverage. A floater is very similar to an endorsement. The main difference is that it is a standalone policy that compliments your home insurance, and it offers higher coverage limits.
