Foundation damage doesn't just happen by itself – something causes it. If your home insurance covers whatever caused the foundation damage, then it'll pay out for the foundation repairs too. Your product disclosure statement (PDS) will tell you everything your policy covers. Common inclusions are:
Fire
Impact (for example, a vehicle, or falling tree)
Theft
Vandalism or malicious damage
Earthquake or tsunami
Lightning
Storms and rainwater
Explosion
Escape of liquid
Floods (flood cover is often an add-on you'll need to pay extra for)
When won't home insurance cover foundation repair?
If your home insurance doesn't cover the event which caused the foundation damage, then it won't pay out for the repairs. What's covered by your policy will vary between different insurers – but some common exclusions are:
Normal wear and tear
Damage to your carelessness or neglect
Termite damage
Damage caused by your illegal behaviour
Pre-existing damage
Damage from natural events that you opted not to include
Faulty construction
Storm surges
Tree-root damage
Shifting soil
Compare home insurance options with foundation repair
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FAQs about foundation repair
Most foundation repairs cost somewhere between $5,000 and $35,000. However, the cost of fixing damaged foundations can vary depending on lots of different factors, including the extent of the damage, what caused the damage and how easy it is to gain access to your home's foundations.
Your home insurance may cover the cost of repairing cracked walls, if the cracks were caused by an event that you are insured for.
For example, if a broken pipe caused flooding, which ultimately lead to cracks in the walls, your home insurance would likely cover the cost of repairs. However, if the cracks were due to drought or moving soil, it's unlikely you would be covered.
Usually, houses need restumping due to age, termite damage, or soil movement. In those cases, it's unlikely your home insurance will cover the cost.
However, if the stumps have been damaged by an insured event – for example, a pipe burst and caused significant water damage – you might be covered for restumping costs.
Unfortunately, underpinning is not generally covered by home insurance because it's usually used to prevent, not repair, damage.
No, home insurance typically does not cover structural problems. It's also unlikely that your home insurance will cover any defects in design, materials, workmanship or construction.
If the subsidence was caused by an event covered in your home insurance policy, then you'll probably be covered for the cost of repairs. For example, if a severe storm and heavy rain causes subsidence, your home insurance should pay out.
However, if the subsidence is caused by poor workmanship or nearby construction, it's unlikely you'll be covered by your home insurance.
Slab heave is generally a result of soil movement which home insurance doesn't usually cover, unless it was due to an insured event like a storm or earthquake.
Home insurance is also unlikely to help out if slab movement was caused by poor workmanship. If this has happened to you, it's worth speaking to the builder. Their builders warranty insurance might be able to help but only in certain situations.
Home insurance can cover foundation leaks but only if they're the result of an insured event like a flood, fire or storm. If the foundation leak is down to poor workmanship or gradual deterioration, your home insurance policy is unlikely to cover you.
Nicola Middlemiss is a contributing writer at Finder, with a special interest in personal finance and insurance. Formerly a business and finance journalist, Nicola has written thousands of articles helping Australians better understand insurance and grow their personal wealth. She has contributed to a wide range of publications, including Domain, the Educator, Financy, Fundraising and Philanthropy, Insurance Business, MoneyMag, Mortgage Professional, Yahoo Finance, Your Investment Property, and Wealth Professional. Nicola has a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification and a Bachelor's degree from the University of Leeds.
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