Does Buildings Insurance Cover Broken Windows?
Find out when buildings insurance picks up the bill for broken windows.
Buildings insurance is designed to protect the structure of your home, and yes, that includes your windows. But whether a broken window is covered depends on how it was damaged. A storm, a break-in, or a falling tree? Likely covered. A crack that’s been spreading for years? That’s a different story. Here’s what you need to know.
At a glance
- Buildings insurance typically covers broken windows caused by insured events like storms, fire, or vandalism.
- Falling trees and branches are covered, but you’re responsible for keeping any trees on your property well maintained.
- Accidental damage isn’t usually included as standard, it’s an add-on worth considering.
- Wear and tear, poor maintenance, and gradual deterioration are excluded. That’s on you.
- Cover varies by provider, so reading your policy documents carefully is key.
When does building insurance cover broken windows?
Your windows are part of your home’s structure, so they’re generally included under buildings insurance. But here’s the catch: cover only kicks in when the damage results from a specific, unexpected event.
Building insurance protects the fabric of your home, walls, roof, floors, and permanent fixtures like windows and doors. The rule of thumb? If the damage was sudden and unexpected, your insurer will likely step in. If it’s been building up gradually, or you simply haven’t kept on top of maintenance, that’s unlikely to be covered.
So if a tree comes down in a storm and takes out a window, or a burglar smashes one to get in, you’re covered. If a window has slowly cracked over time due to ageing frames or settlement? That’s a different story.
What types of damage are covered?
A standard Lemonade buildings insurance policy covers your windows against a range of unexpected events. Here’s a closer look:
Storm and weather damage
High winds, heavy rain, or severe weather that directly damages your windows? Most buildings insurance policies will cover this, as long as you can show the storm caused it. Photos of the damage and a weather report confirming the event can both help support your claim.
Theft and vandalism
If a burglar smashes a window to gain entry, or your window is deliberately damaged, your buildings insurance will cover the cost of repair or replacement. Report it to the police first and get a crime reference number, your insurer will likely ask for one.
Fire damage
Windows damaged or destroyed in a house fire are covered under building insurance. Report the incident quickly, document everything, and wait for your insurer’s go-ahead before arranging repairs.
Falling trees and branches
If a tree or branch falls and breaks your window, your building insurance will typically cover the cost of repairs. That said, if the tree is on your property, you’re responsible for keeping it in good condition. A well-maintained tree that comes down in a storm is one thing. A tree that’s been visibly diseased, unstable, or neglected for years is another, and your insurer may push back on a claim if poor upkeep is a factor. Document the damage straight away and contact your insurer as soon as possible.
What types of damage aren’t covered?
Here’s the bit you don’t want to miss. While your windows are generally included under buildings insurance, there are limits:
- Wear and tear: Frames that have rotted over time, glazing that’s fogged up with age, or cracks that have gradually spread aren’t what insurance is for.
- Poor maintenance: If the damage can be traced back to neglect or a failure to maintain your windows properly, your insurer is likely to decline the claim.
- Gradual damage: Any deterioration that’s built up slowly over time, rather than resulting from a sudden event, is unlikely to be covered.
- Existing damage: If the window was already damaged before your policy started, you won’t be able to claim for it.
- Poorly maintained trees: If a tree on your property causes damage and it can be shown you failed to maintain it, your claim may not be covered. Keep on top of any trees in your garden, especially large or ageing ones.
Basically, buildings insurance covers your windows against unexpected events, not the inevitable effects of time, use, and upkeep.
What about accidental damage cover?
Accidental damage isn’t usually included as standard in a buildings insurance policy. It’s an optional add-on, and one worth thinking about if you want cover for the kind of mishaps that happen in everyday home life.
With Lemonade’s Accidental Damage add-on, you’re covered for sudden, unexpected damage even if it’s your fault. So whether it’s a football through the front window or a ladder through the conservatory, you’re sorted.
What to do if your window is broken
If a window is broken, here’s how to handle it:
- Stay safe first. Clear away broken glass carefully and, if needed, board up the window temporarily to secure your home.
- Document everything. Photos, videos, written descriptions: the more evidence, the better.
- Report it. If the damage was caused by vandalism or a break-in, call the police and get a crime reference number before contacting your insurer.
- Contact your insurer quickly. Let them know as soon as possible. Delays can affect your claim.
- Hold off on permanent repairs. Wait for your insurer’s go-ahead before getting the window replaced, unless it’s an urgent safety issue.
With Lemonade, you can file a claim straight through the app. No lengthy phone calls, no mountains of paperwork. Just a quick, straightforward process so you can get your home secured and sorted.
Bottom line
Broken windows are one of those things that can happen without warning, a storm, a break-in, an accidental knock. The right buildings insurance means you’re covered when the unexpected happens. Just remember: insurance is for sudden, unforeseen events. Keeping your windows well maintained, and any trees on your property properly looked after, is still down to you.
Lemonade’s buildings insurance is built around you, not the small print. With cover that’s easy to understand, flexible add-ons, and a claims process designed to be simple and human, you can feel confident your home is protected when it matters most. Explore Lemonade’s home insurance options to find the right cover for you.
Broken windows insurance FAQs
Are broken windows always covered under buildings insurance?
Not always. Buildings insurance covers windows damaged by insured events like storms, vandalism, and falling objects. Accidental damage, wear and tear, and gradual deterioration aren’t covered under a standard policy. For accidental breakages, you’ll need to add Lemonade’s Accidental Damage cover.
What about damage from a falling tree or branch?
If a tree or branch falls and breaks your window, you’re typically covered. But if the tree is on your property, you’re responsible for keeping it well maintained. If your insurer finds that a tree was visibly unhealthy or neglected, it could affect your claim. Keep on top of any trees in your garden, especially larger ones.
What is accidental damage cover?
Accidental damage cover is an optional add-on that protects against sudden, unexpected damage, even if you caused it. It’s not included in a standard buildings insurance policy, so if you want cover for mishaps like a ball through the window or a ladder through the conservatory, it’s worth adding.
Does wear and tear count as damage?
No. Gradual deterioration, like rotting frames, fogged-up double glazing, or slowly spreading cracks, is a standard exclusion under buildings insurance. Insurance is designed for sudden, unexpected events, not the natural ageing of your home.
Can I claim for a broken window caused by bad weather?
Yes, if the damage was caused by a storm or severe weather event. You’ll need to provide evidence of the damage and, where possible, confirmation of the weather conditions at the time. Photos and a weather report can both help support your claim.
What if a burglar breaks my window?
If a window is broken during a break-in, you’re covered under a standard Lemonade buildings insurance policy. Report it to the police first, get a crime reference number, and then contact your insurer to begin the claims process.
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