In East Tennessee, we take pride in our outdoor living. Whether it’s a wrap-around deck overlooking the ridges in Johnson City or a sprawling stone patio in Kingsport, these projects add value and joy to our homes. However, when these projects stall—whether due to supply chain delays, contractor issues, or DIY fatigue—they transform from a dream into a "liability landmine."
An unfinished outdoor project is more than just an eyesore; it is a significant insurance risk. Standard home insurance policies are written based on the assumption that your property is well-maintained and safe. Once you tear up a driveway or leave a deck without railings, you’ve introduced "attractive nuisances" and physical hazards that can lead to denied claims or devastating lawsuits.
At Veritas Risk Management, our goal is to provide "Real Intelligence." We want to help you understand that "work in progress" doesn't mean "coverage as usual." This guide explores how to navigate these risks and ensure that your Tennessee home remains a place of security, not a legal liability.
See this post on unfinished home projects
In the world of insurance, there is a concept called an "attractive nuisance." It sounds like a contradiction, but it’s a very real legal doctrine. It refers to something on your property that is both dangerous and likely to attract children who don't understand the risk.
Imagine a half-built patio in Bluff City. To you, it’s a pile of sharp stones and uneven dirt. To a neighborhood seven-year-old, it’s a mountain to climb or a fort to build. If that child wanders onto your property and gets hurt, you may be held liable—even if they were trespassing.
When a project is finished, it’s usually built to code with safety features like railings and smooth surfaces. When it’s unfinished, those safety features are missing. This creates a "landmine" that can blow up your financial future if you aren't properly protected with the right liability insurance.
A deck without a railing is essentially a ledge. We’ve seen cases where homeowners in the Tri-Cities leave a deck "mostly done" for months. Without permanent railings or gated stairs, you are one misstep away from a catastrophic injury. Furthermore, unfinished ledger boards (where the deck meets the house) can allow water to seep into your home’s structure, leading to rot that your home insurance may not cover because it’s considered a "maintenance issue."
An unfinished patio often means uneven ground, loose stones, and protruding stakes. In the evening hours, these become invisible hazards. If a delivery driver or a guest trips on a loose paver in your backyard, the medical bills and potential legal fees could easily exceed the limits of a standard policy.
Tearing up a driveway and leaving it as gravel or dirt for an extended period creates two risks. First, the lack of a finished surface allows for massive erosion during our heavy Tennessee rains, potentially damaging your home's foundation. Second, loose gravel can be kicked up by tires, damaging vehicles or even hitting a bystander.
Our weather in East Tennessee can be brutal on unfinished wood and masonry.
Consider a half-built deck in Kingsport. If the structural supports are in place but the waterproofing or final decking isn't finished, winter ice can seep into the wood grain. When that water freezes, it expands, weakening the wood. If we get a heavy snow—like the ones we had over this last winter—the weight on a weakened, unfinished structure can cause a total collapse.
If your insurance company determines that the collapse happened because the structure was left exposed and unfinished for an unreasonable amount of time, they may view it as "neglect" rather than an "accident."
Protecting Your Assets: The Role of Home and Umbrella InsuranceAt Veritas, we believe in being supportive and empathetic. We know you didn't plan for your project to stall. But we also believe in accountability. It is vital to update your agent when your property changes.
This is where "Real Intelligence" comes in. If you have an unfinished outdoor project, you should seriously consider an umbrella insurance policy.
Think of an umbrella policy as a backup generator. If a "landmine" goes off—like a neighborhood kid getting injured on your unfinished driveway—and the medical bills total $500,000, your home insurance might only cover the first $300,000. Where does the other $200,000 come from? It comes from your savings, your retirement, or a lien on your home.
An Umbrella policy kicks in where your home policy stops. For a relatively small annual premium, it protects your future from the hazards of your "work in progress."
You work hard for your home in Tennessee. Don't let a "to-do" list item turn into a financial catastrophe. Whether you are in Bristol, Elizabethton, or Erwin, the team at Veritas Risk Management is here to take ownership of your insurance needs. We offer honest advice and real answers to ensure your family is protected while you build your dream.
Is your outdoor project sitting idle? Let’s talk about your coverage today.
Johnson City Office 4451 North Roan Street, Suite #201
Johnson City, TN 37615
Phone: 423-292-4142
Kingsport Office 419 E Market St
Kingsport, TN 37660
Phone: 423-328-8434
Online: https://veritasrm.com
Andrew Darlington is the founder of Veritas Risk Management. With nearly 30 years of experience and high-level certifications like CIC and CRM, Andrew specializes in helping TN residents identify hidden "landmines" in their insurance portfolios. He believes in building supportive relationships and providing the "Real Intelligence" his neighbors need to stay protected.
Read Andrew’s full bio: Veritas Team