Homeowners insurance requiring (cosmetic) repairs

amother

Thu, Feb 22 2024, 3:20 pm

I'm so upset. My house is situated in a location and position that brings a ton of rain and wind towards it when it's raining. This causes my siding to accumulate dirt and stains. After paying for a power wash of siding several times a few years ago, I gave it up because within a few days/weeks the stains were back. Honestly I like to focus on the inside of my house rather than the outside (why do I need to make it nice for the neighbors to enjoy??).
Now I just got a notice from my homeowners insurance that I have a month to take care of the siding (which I'm not even sure will clean off, as it's several years of accumulation), as well as "an uneven sidewalk or driveway" (no idea what they are referring to, so how bad can it be already??), and some curling shingles on my roof. The roof is upsetting also because I have spray foam that I invested in (albeit years ago) and if I replace even part of the roof, I'll have to redo the spray foam.
The insurance company said if we don't show proof that they were fixed they will cancel our policy.

I have so many internal projects/repairs that I can't afford and desperately trying to save up and now I have to blow tons of money I don't have on these externals?

So mad.
End vent.

Any suggestions on how to do this cheaply or even better, how to get out of it, would be greatly appreciated.

amother

Caramel

Thu, Feb 22 2024, 4:14 pm

amother OP wrote:

Excuse my ignorance, but isn't power washing the siding at least yearly (if not twice yearly) basic home maintenance?
It can be done yourself

amother

Aconite

Thu, Feb 22 2024, 4:27 pm

Cosmetic? I have no experience with this, but I assume that the reason they are requiring it has nothing to do with how your house “looks” but rather the upkeep necessary to not break, fall apart, have damage or liability lawsuits (from the sidewalk). They are the ones who will be paying to replace any issues that come up, they want to make sure you are taking good care of the house.