Ordinance or Law Coverage – The Hidden Protection Most Homeowners Overlook
Title:
Ordinance or Law Coverage: Why Texas Homeowners Shouldn’t Ignore This Essential Protection
Intro:
You’ve insured your home for its current value, but what if local building codes have changed since your house was built? After a fire or storm, you might have to upgrade plumbing, electrical, or structural elements to meet modern building codes. These upgrades can cost thousands—and that’s where Ordinance or Law Coverage comes in. At Tony Castle Insurance Agency, we make sure you’re not caught off guard by this often-overlooked coverage in your Texas homeowners insurance policy.
What Is Ordinance or Law Coverage?
This coverage helps pay the increased cost of rebuilding or repairing your home to current building codes after a covered loss.
If your home was built 20 or 30 years ago, code upgrades for electrical wiring, roofing, or energy efficiency can be expensive—and they’re not included in standard dwelling coverage.
What Does It Cover?
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Demolition costs: Tearing down undamaged parts of your home required by code
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Increased construction costs: Bringing your home up to current codes
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Architectural or engineering fees for code compliance
Why Texas Homeowners Need It
Texas communities frequently update building codes after severe weather events to improve safety and efficiency. That means older homes are at risk of significant out-of-pocket costs if you lack this coverage.
Real-World Example
A fire damages your kitchen, but the city requires the entire electrical system to be updated to meet current code. Those updates add $15,000 to your repair bill. Without Ordinance or Law Coverage, that money comes out of your pocket.
Typical Coverage Limit
Many policies offer 10% of Dwelling Coverage for ordinance or law expenses—but you can increase that if you own an older home or anticipate costly updates.
Final Thoughts
If your home isn’t brand new, Ordinance or Law Coverage could save you thousands.
Want to know if your policy includes this protection?
Contact Tony Castle Insurance Agency – Your Not So Common Insurance Agent for a coverage check today.
👉 Visit mytexascoverage.com or call us for expert advice.