Does a Home Warranty Cover Insulation?

Home warranty insulation coverage

Home warranty companies typically exclude insulation because it is considered a structural part of the house, not a system or appliance. The structural elements of a home normally include the walls, roof, foundation and building envelope. 

Insulation is normally classified as a structural element, so you won’t be able to file a claim through your home warranty if you need to repair or replace it. This means you may be on the hook when it’s time to replace your attic insulation, wall insulation or the insulation in your crawl space.

Most home warranty plans cover the repair or replacement of mechanical systems and appliances that have moving parts or electrical functions. The cost of a home warranty plan is meant to cover systems and appliances like:

• Dishwashers
• Plumbing
• Refrigerators
• HVAC systems
• Ovens, cooktops and ranges
• Built-in microwave ovens
• Ductwork
• Electrical
• Washer and dryer
• Garbage disposals

Common causes of insulation issues

The most common insulation problems stem from external factors causing a change in condition instead of normal wear and tear (although age can cause insulation to degrade over time). Some of the most common causes of insulation issues include:

• Mold and moisture buildup
• Pest infestation
• Improper installation
• Insufficient, improper or missing insulation

Routine insulation inspection and maintenance can help you prevent common issues and extend the life of your home’s insulation. Regularly inspect your attic, crawl space and basement for signs of mold, moisture or pests. It can also help to routinely seal air leaks around doors and windows and ensure your home is properly ventilated to control the humidity levels around insulation.

What to do if your home warranty doesn’t cover insulation

Even if your home warranty doesn’t cover insulation, you may still be covered. Insulation could be covered under your builders warranty if your home is new. A builder warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship, so it may provide coverage for a set amount of time if insulation is missing or was improperly installed during construction. Or, if the damage was caused by an “act of God” like a fire or flood, your home insurance may cover the replacement of your insulation.

There are some situations where insulation damage may be addressed indirectly. If a covered system, like plumbing or HVAC, fails and causes damage to your insulation, the warranty provider might pay for insulation repair or replacement as part of fixing the covered system.

Coverage for these situations varies by provider and policy. Always review your home warranty contract or contact your provider to understand how incidental insulation damage might be handled during a covered repair.

FAQ

Bottom line

Home warranties typically do not cover insulation, as it is considered part of the home's structure rather than a system or appliance. However, your builders or homeowners insurance may be able to help you with replacing damaged or old insulation.