Do homeowners cover retaining walls?

Author: Louisa Romaguera  |  Last update: Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Understanding Homeowners Insurance Coverage for Retaining Walls. The good news is that retaining walls are typically covered under homeowners insurance policies. However, it's essential to understand the extent of coverage and any potential exclusions.

Is a retaining wall covered by home insurance?

So, if soil and ground issues are not covered by homeowners insurance, are retaining walls covered by insurance? Because retaining walls are frequently considered a detached structure, damage to them can be covered under your homeowners policy under the right conditions.

Is a retaining wall considered landscaping?

Adding Retaining Walls for Aesthetic and Functional Benefits

Landscaping elements such as retaining walls can enhance the overall design and functionality of your garden.

Which of the following is not covered for homeowners?

Homeowners insurance typically doesn't cover damage from floods, earthquakes, landslides, sinkholes, wear and tear, animals or insects, or water backing up from sewers, drains, septic tanks and sump pumps.

Is retaining wall part of foundation?

Retaining walls are often installed to hold up soil outside of the building adjacent to patios or in sloped areas of the yard, or they are used for foundations where the interior grade is lower than the outside level such (in excavated basements, for example).

Do Homeowners Insurance Cover Retaining Wall? - InsuranceGuide360.com

Is a retaining wall considered structural?

“Structures” is defined to include a “fence” and “retaining wall,” but there is an exception for a “perimeter wall, fence, or similar enclosure, not in excess of six feet in height.” Therefore, the Court was left to determine whether the wall was a “perimeter wall, fence, or similar enclosure,” and therefore ...

Can a retaining wall be part of a house?

In theory, yes, if done properly. However, retaining walls are usually owned by the 'high side' so you may well be on someone else's land if this is a boundary.

What will homeowners insurance not cover?

Perils Generally not covered by a Homeowners Policy if Damage is caused by:
  • Flood.
  • Earthquake.
  • Earth movement.
  • Termites.
  • Insects, rats or mice.
  • Water damage cause by seepage or leaks.
  • Losses to house vacant for 60 days or more.
  • Mold.

What not to say to home insurance?

Avoid Misleading Phrases: Be cautious with your words. Phrases like “I think” or “It might have been” can introduce doubt and ambiguity into your claim. Instead, stick to clear, confident statements that are supported by your evidence and records.

What 3 things does homeowners insurance cover?

Standard HO-3 home insurance policies cover damage to your home's structure, other structures on your property and your personal belongings, as well your liability as a homeowner and the cost for things like food and a hotel if you are displaced after a covered loss.

Is Uphill Neighbor responsible for retaining walls in BC?

Q: If there is a retaining wall between my house and my neighbour's, who is responsible for repairs/maintenance? A: The owner of the property that the retaining wall is located on is responsible for the retaining wall.

Is a retaining wall a permanent structure?

Corrosion: Typically, temporary retaining walls are only required to support the ground for less than a year or two while permanent retaining walls may have to provide support for 50 years or more. For this reason, the critical elements in the permanent wall must be designed to resist corrosion.

Can you write off a retaining wall?

Examples of capital improvements are brand-new or upgraded landscaping, sprinkler systems, installing retaining walls, a new patio, fencing, or pools. Capital improvements are not considered a current-year expense. Instead, you will get tax breaks based on the property's depreciation over time.

Does a retaining wall add value to your home?

In addition, they are an excellent method to increase the home's value and can be built from high-quality materials at a low cost. Now, let's discuss why you should add retaining walls to your property!

Does FEMA cover retaining walls?

Repair Assistance is provided to make the dwelling habitable, safe, sanitary, and functional. In addition, there may be limited Repair Assistance available for: Attached garages, if the damage affects the home's structural integrity. Retaining wall, if their absence creates a serious safety hazard.

Does homeowners insurance cover landscape damage?

Trees, plants and shrubs are typically covered under homeowners insurance. Like other landscaping features, damages may be covered if they're due to perils such as fire, explosions, lightning, theft, and vehicles (assuming the vehicle isn't owned or operated by a resident of the house).

What voids homeowners insurance?

Common exclusions in even the most comprehensive homeowners policies include: earth movement, such as earthquakes; sinkholes or landslides that damage your home; water damage, such as floods or sewer back-ups that leak through a pipe or seep through the foundation causing damage to your home; damage resulting from ...

What not to say to claim adjuster?

Some key phrases to avoid saying to an insurance adjuster include:
  • “I'm sorry.”
  • “It was all/partly my fault.”
  • “I did not see the other person/driver.”

How to scare a home insurance adjuster?

How To Scare An Insurance Adjuster
  1. Step One: Understand the Roles and Goals of an Insurance Adjuster. ...
  2. Step Two: Know How Insurance Adjusters May Try to Minimize Compensation. ...
  3. Step Three: Take Your Time to Review a Settlement Offer. ...
  4. Step Four: Reject a Lowball Offer in Writing.

Does home insurance cover retaining walls?

Understanding Homeowners Insurance Coverage for Retaining Walls. The good news is that retaining walls are typically covered under homeowners insurance policies. However, it's essential to understand the extent of coverage and any potential exclusions.

Does home insurance cover driveways?

A homeowners policy may also cover secondary structures on your property, including decks, patios, sheds, and driveways. If a covered peril causes damage to your driveway, your policy's other structures coverage may pay to repair the damage, up to your policy's limits and minus your deductible.

Who owns the retaining wall between properties?

In the vast majority of the time, the downhill owner is responsible for the retaining wall for the simple reason that they are nearly always the one who graded the dirt to make the property level and thus required the retaining wall.

Are retaining walls landscaping?

Retaining walls create raised garden beds that you can use for flower beds or vegetable gardens. Building a low-level retaining wall is a straightforward DIY project that offers many benefits and landscaping opportunities. This guide will teach you how to build a low retaining wall with concrete retaining wall blocks.

Is a retaining wall a structural wall?

Retaining walls are relatively rigid walls used for supporting soil laterally so that it can be retained at different levels on the two sides. Retaining walls are structures designed to restrain soil to a slope that it would not naturally keep to (typically a steep, near-vertical or vertical slope).

Previous article
What is the pipe called that the toilet sits on?
Next article
How do I stop my coil from freezing?