Can Bad Repairs Legally Void Your Home Insurance?
When it comes to insurance, it’s important to read the fine print. You want to know what might void your home insurance so that you can avoid doing anything screwing yourself. Hiring someone for home repairs who takes a shortcut or does a bad job could potentially void your policy. Here are eight things you need to consider before booking a repairman to come to your home.
1. Insurance Doesn’t Cover Negligence or Substandard Work
Most home insurance policies are designed to cover sudden and accidental damage—not damage resulting from poor maintenance or shoddy workmanship. If a pipe bursts because it was improperly installed or a fire breaks out due to faulty electrical wiring, your insurer might deny the claim. This means repairs done by unqualified people—or even yourself—could leave you fully liable. Even well-meaning DIY jobs can lead to major complications. Insurance companies have the legal right to reject claims when negligence is involved.
2. Your Policy Might Have Fine Print About Professional Standards
Many homeowners don’t read the fine print on their home insurance policy—but that’s where trouble often hides. Insurers often include clauses stating that repairs or renovations must meet professional or code-compliant standards. If your work falls short, the policy can be voided, partially or fully. This is especially true for electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and structural work. Before picking up a tool or hiring a cheap contractor, check what your insurer considers “qualified.”
3. Unpermitted Work Can Lead to Denied Claims
Doing repairs without the proper permits may save time and money—but it also waves a red flag to insurance companies. If an inspection later reveals that your home improvements weren’t permitted or inspected, insurers can argue the work was illegal or unsafe. In some cases, this doesn’t just void a future claim—it can void your entire policy. Worse, your municipality might fine you or demand that you tear the work out. Always pull permits for significant jobs—it’s your protection in the long run.
4. Bad Repairs Can Increase Your Risk and Premiums
Even if bad repairs don’t void your home insurance completely, they can result in higher premiums. That’s because poor work increases the risk of future claims. For instance, a roof patched with incorrect materials may be more likely to leak, and makeshift electrical fixes can be a fire hazard. Insurance companies track risk, and if an inspector or adjuster spots unsafe work, you could be penalized. What seems like a money-saving repair now might lead to bigger bills later.
5. If You Hire Someone, Make Sure They’re Licensed and Insured
Letting your cousin’s friend fix your roof may be cheaper than hiring a pro—but if they’re not licensed or insured, you take on the legal risk. In the eyes of your home insurance provider, using an unqualified contractor is the same as doing the work yourself. If damage occurs because of their mistake, you could be left without coverage. Before hiring anyone, always verify their credentials, request proof of insurance, and check reviews. If a job goes sideways, you want to be sure someone other than you is on the hook.
6. Insurance Investigations Can Be Surprisingly Thorough
You might assume that an insurance claim is cut-and-dry—but companies often conduct full investigations before approving high-value payouts. That means they may inspect the damaged area, ask for repair records, or check for past claims and permits. If they find out that a burst pipe or faulty wiring was caused by a botched repair, they may reject your claim outright. Worse, they might retroactively cancel your policy for “material misrepresentation.” Don’t underestimate how deep insurance companies dig.
7. Keeping Documentation Could Save You Thousands
Every time you make a repair—especially a major one—save all documentation. That includes receipts, invoices, contractor licenses, permit numbers, and before/after photos. If you ever need to file a claim related to that area, you’ll be able to prove the work was done properly and professionally. Home insurance companies love paper trails—and hate surprises. Organized records can be the difference between a fully covered claim and one that gets thrown out.
8. You May Need an Inspection to Reinstate Coverage
If a claim is denied due to bad repairs or if your insurer drops you altogether, getting coverage again won’t be easy. You may be required to correct the work and undergo a formal inspection before a new policy is approved. This process can be costly and time-consuming. Additionally, your history follows you—other insurers might see the cancellation and raise your rates. Taking shortcuts today can close doors tomorrow.
You Don’t Need to Be a Contractor—Just a Smart Homeowner
Some DIY repairs are okay. You don’t have to be an expert, but you need to know when it’s time to call one in. As always, do your research about the handyman before you have him in your home. Make sure they are licensed and have good reviews. If you don’t, it could leave you financially exposed if you ever have to make a claim on your home insurance.
Have you ever had a home insurance claim denied because of a bad repair job? Share your experience in the comments—your story might help others avoid the same mistake!
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