We all want to do our best to protect our home from outside damage and for the most part, it’s easy to guard against potential damage. However, if you happen to live on or near a golf course then you may occasionally face an errant golf ball. This may leave you wondering whether or not your homeowners’ insurance will cover the damage caused by the golf ball.
Unfortunately, the answer to this question is quite complicated as it depends on several factors including who is at fault and If a liability waiver was signed when the home was purchased. To help you understand what to do if your home suffers damage from an errant golf ball, we will go over how insurance companies typically cover these incidents.
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Why Your Insurance May Not Cover the Golf Ball Damage
It is important that you know what type of coverage you have for filing a claim for golf ball damage as you need to make sure that you recovered from outside damages in order for your insurance company to pay for the damage. Due to the fact that the golf ball will typically come from outside of your property, there may be an issue with whether or not the damage is covered.
When you buy a home that is on or near a golf course typically the builder and the owner of the golf course will sign waivers that exempt them from any liability for damage caused by the golf course. This means that all responsibility for the damage ultimately falls solely on the homeowner and if the homeowner does not have the proper amount of coverage they may be forced to pay out of pocket for the damage.
In some cases, it may be possible to hold golfers on the course responsible for the damage that is caused by the air and golf ball however it can be difficult to acquire conversation and a legal battle is also typically impractical.
In rare cases where a waiver wasn’t signed at a golf course may have liability insurance that helps to cover damage to people’s property including their homes. In this case, you would simply reach out to the owner of the golf course and ask them to file a claim on your behalf to cover any damages caused by golf balls. If you’re not sure whether or not this is the case, it is always a good idea to check with all parties involved before filing a claim with your own insurance.
How to Handle a Golf Ball Claim
The first thing to do if your home is damaged by a golf ball is to assess the damage and figure out whether a claim is necessary. Depending on the amount of damage and your deductible it may be simpler to pay out of pocket rather than file a claim. However, if the damage is extensive or you wish to go after the golf course or the golfer for the damage, it is important to speak with them before filing a claim with your own insurance company.
If you do get ready to file a claim for golf ball damage it is important that you go through your policy and make sure that you’re covered for accidents such as this and that your deductible is lower than the amount of the damage caused. In the case of a simple broken window, it is often the better idea just to pay to fix the window yourself rather than filing a claim with your insurance company and having to pay the deductible and have your premium rates go up. It’s a good idea to assess the situation fully and make the best decision given your unique circumstances.
