We’ve all been there. One YouTube video in, and suddenly you’re convinced you can fix the truck, install a new sink, or rewire the garage. It starts with confidence and a wrench... and ends with confusion, a mess, and a call to the professionals after something’s broken.
Unfortunately, these DIY misadventures can lead to more than just frustration — they can lead to costly damage that isn’t covered by your insurance.
Insurance Doesn’t Always Cover DIY Disasters
Many homeowners and auto policies exclude damage caused by improper installation or self-repair. That means if you botch a plumbing job and flood the kitchen, your insurance company may say, “Sorry, not covered.”
Same goes for vehicles: if you're under the hood and make a mistake that damages your engine or compromises safety features, your auto policy likely won’t step in to fix the damage.
Professionals Come With Protection
Hiring a licensed and insured contractor means:
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Their work may be covered if something goes wrong.
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You’re protected from potential liability if someone gets injured on your property during the DIY.
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They know the codes and safety requirements, so the job is done right the first time.
In other words, paying a little more upfront can save you thousands later.
Protect Your Policy — and Your Property
When you try to do it all yourself, you could risk:
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Causing more damage which is not covered by insurance.
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Voiding warranties if any are in place.
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Breaching insurance terms which could lead to a denial even if you don't damage the property.
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Delays or denials on future claims if an investigation into what happened needs to be performed.
Worse, you could turn a small repair into a major catastrophe that isn't covered at all.
Our Advice? Know When to Call in the Pros.
At Wells Insurance Agency, we’ve seen our fair share of DIY damage claims — and unfortunately, we’ve had to deliver the bad news that insurance won’t cover the cleanup. We’re always happy to review your coverage and help you understand what’s included, what’s not, and how to avoid surprises.
So the next time you're tempted to “just YouTube it,” ask yourself: what’s really at stake if this goes wrong?