Does homeowners insurance cover chimneys?

Chimney damage that is usually covered

• Lightning cracking the masonry or the flue liner.
• Wind tearing off caps or chase covers, or toppling a stack.
• Falling trees and limbs.
• Chimney fires that crack flue tiles.
• Hail denting metal caps, chase covers and flashing.

Chimney leaks

Covered only when a storm opened a path for water, such as torn flashing or a cap blown off. Leaks through porous brick, a cracked crown, failed counterflashing or old sealant are maintenance. Water that came in through a covered opening is paid along with the interior damage.

Full chimney replacement

Rebuilding is covered when a covered event destroyed the chimney, such as a tree strike or lightning. Some policies also cover collapse from specified causes, so read that section. Rebuilding because the mortar failed over decades is not covered.

Settling and earth movement

A chimney that leans or pulls away from the house because of settling or earth movement is excluded under standard forms.

Documenting a chimney claim

Photograph the stack from several angles, the cap and flashing up close, and any interior stains near the fireplace. A camera inspection of the flue documents liner cracks. For roof-side items such as a missing cricket, see code upgrades, and for stains inside, interior water damage coverage.