Your homeowners insurance policy will only cover water damage if it is unexpected and accidental, not if it occurs gradually. For example, if there is a sudden pipe burst causing significant damage to your home, your policy will help pay for repairs.
In other words, whether or not your homeowners insurance policy will cover water damage depends on the cause of the damage. If the cause of the damage is flooding, you won’t get any coverage, as coverage for flood damage is usually excluded from homeowners insurance.
Types of Water Damage Covered by Homeowners Insurance
Water damage happens to be the major cause of homeowners’ insurance claims, and it can be costly and disruptive. In fact, water damage accounts for about one in every five homeowner’s insurance claims. So, it is important to know what is covered.
- Burst pipes: Homeowners insurance will usually cover this type of damage, as long as the frozen pipe burst was sudden and accidental.
- Accidental leaks: An accidental leak such as leaking plumbing or an appliance leak, like broken washing machines or dishwashers.
- Water damage: Homeowners cover water damage caused by sudden and accidental events, like a burst pipe,
Heavy rain, hail, or leaking appliances
- Ice dams: Homeowners covers for damages caused by ice dams, including damage to your roof, siding, and interior.
It is important to carefully go through your policies to know what is covered and what isn’t. Knowing what the exclusions are will help you make an informed decision.
Water Damage Not Covered by Homeowners Insurance
When it comes to homeowners insurance, one of the most important things to understand is what is and isn’t covered. Here are some common problems not covered.
- Damage caused by negligence, such as not repairing your plumbing problem or failing to remove snow from your roof.
- Flood damage, such as from hurricanes, tsunamis, storm surges, and water from overflowing rivers, is not covered by a standard homeowners insurance policy.
- Water damage from intentional acts, such as vandalism or arson, are typically not covered.
- Water damage, such as sump pump failure, seepage of leaks through a foundation, sewer, or drain, leaks, and earth movement, are not covered by the policy.
How Do I File an Insurance Claim for Water Damage?
To file a claim, it’s good to take pictures or videos of the area, and then contact your insurance company as soon as possible. You will need to provide information on when the damage occurred, how it happened, and any estimates you’ve received for the repairs.
Your homeowner’s insurance company will review your claims and determine whether they’re covered under your policy, and they may come for an inspection to make an estimate for repairs.
How to Prevent Water Damage
These are the best simple precautions to use to prevent or minimize water damage to your home and belongings.
- Inspect your home very regularly for signs of leaks or water damage.
- Check your appliances to prevent water seepage.
- Install a water alarm in your home.
- Check the pipes regularly for signs of cracks or tears.
- Address any leaks or damages as soon as you find them.
- Keep your gutters and downspouts clear of debris.
- Locate your main water valve and shut it when a water damage problem arises.
- Have your home inspected by professionals.
- Shut off all water supplies before leaving home for vacation.
- Consider installing a backflow prevention device.
- Check your roof for missing or damaged shingles.
- Replace your hoses and faucets regularly.
- Keep trees and shrubs away from your home foundation.
By following these precautions, you’ll prevent and minimize water damage in your home and also safeguard your belongings.
Who Pays for a Water Leak Repair?
It’s the responsibility of homeowners to pay for water leak repair. However, there are some situations where the responsibility may fall on someone. For instance, if the leak is caused by plumbing issues at a neighboring property, the neighbors may be responsible for the repair. Generally speaking, it’s the homeowners who are responsible for water repair.
How to Get Insurance to Pay for Water Damage
To get insurance to pay for your water damage, here are the following steps designed to help you get insurance to pay for water damage in your home:
- Determine the source of the water.
- Determine if the source of water is covered by homeowner insurance policy.
- If it’s covered, then call your agent and report the claim.
Kindly keep in mind that you’ll be responsible for some bills, such as paying the public adjuster, so it’s wise to carefully review the size of your claim and the public adjuster’s fee to see if you can afford it and if it’s also worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does homeowners insurance cover flood damage?
Most homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover flood damage; you would need to purchase a flood insurance policy to be covered.
Does homeowners’ insurance cover mold damage?
Most homeowners insurance policies will cover mold damage, but only if the mold was caused by a covered peril, like a burst pipe. Mold damage caused by poor maintenance or neglect is usually not covered.
Does homeowners insurance cover damage from a burst pipe?
Most homeowners insurance policies cover damages from burst pipes, as long as the burst was sudden and accidental. The policy covers the cost of repairing the pipe as well as any damage to the home and belongings caused by the burst.
Does homeowners insurance cover water damage caused by sewer backup?
This is usually not covered by a standard homeowner’s insurance policy. However, you may be able to purchase a separate sewer backup rider to add this coverage to your policy.
Does homeowners insurance cover water damage caused by a hurricane or tropical storm?
Homeowner’s insurance policies do cover damages caused by hurricanes or tropical storms, but it depends on the specific policy and the details of the storms.
