Ordinance or Law Coverage & Code Upgrades | NY Adjuster?

Ordinance or law coverage pays for code upgrades required during a covered repair. Learn how New York building codes affect your claim payout.

Is ordinance or law coverage automatic?

Many New York homeowners policies include a limited amount, commonly 10% of the dwelling limit, and higher limits are available by endorsement. Check your declarations page.

Does it cover upgrades I want to make?

No. It covers only upgrades the code legally requires as part of repairing covered damage. Voluntary improvements are yours to fund.

How much code coverage do I need?

For a home built before the 1980s, 20–25% of the dwelling limit is a much safer target than the base 10%.

Will the insurer pay for demolition the code requires?

Ordinance or law coverage typically includes demolition of undamaged portions when the code requires removal. It must be documented with the code citation.

Policy & Money Question

What Does Ordinance or Law Coverage Pay For?

Ordinance or law coverage pays the extra cost of complying with current building codes when you repair covered damage — the code upgrades themselves, demolition of undamaged portions the code requires you to remove, and the increased cost of construction. Without it, your policy only pays to restore what existed, leaving you to fund mandatory upgrades out of pocket. Call 516-410-0164 for a free claim review.

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Why Older Long Island Homes Need It

Repairing a home built in the 1950s or 1960s frequently triggers current requirements: hardwired interconnected smoke and CO alarms, GFCI and AFCI protection, updated electrical service, ice-and-water shield and drip edge on roofs, insulation and energy code compliance, and egress window sizing.

Your base policy pays to restore what was there. The code delta is exactly what ordinance or law coverage exists to fund, and on a substantial repair it can be tens of thousands of dollars.

How to Claim It

Code coverage is almost never volunteered. You have to identify the requirement, price it, and submit it in writing.

Written code citations from the building department or contractor

Permit conditions and inspector requirements

A line-item estimate separating code costs from restoration

Demolition costs the code requires on undamaged areas

Your declarations page limit for ordinance or law

Key Takeaways

Covers code-required upgrades during a covered repair
Often limited to 10–25% of the dwelling limit
Older Long Island homes trigger it constantly
Insurers rarely include it unless you ask in writing

Licensed in New York

Kevin Godfrey, License #PA-1156995 · 22+ years experience · Fees 6–12% (NY cap 12.5%)

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Ordinance or Law Coverage Questions

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