Home insurance is a safeguard for your home and possessions when trouble strikes. And while it offers protection for your home and possessions from perils like fire, wind damage and burglary, the coverage isn’t always as clear when it comes to water damage. Here’s what to know about water damage and home insurance coverage.
What type of water damage is covered by homeowners insurance?
Your homeowners insurance policy should typically cover water damage from:
- Snow or rain
- Burst pipes, frozen plumbing, faulty plumbing
- Water damage from extinguishing a fire
- A leaking roof
- Accidental overflow of an appliance or fixture
- Mold (only when it’s the result of covered water damage)
Whether or not a standard home insurance policy covers water damage will depend on whether the water damage was sudden or if the damage is from a lack of maintenance or neglect.
What type of water damage is not covered by homeowners insurance?
Home insurance will cover sudden or accidental water damage, but it typically won’t cover water damage from:
- Flooding: Flood damage is typically excluded from standard home insurance policies and requires an additional policy for coverage. If the ground is saturated and water rises or seeps into your home, it’s considered a flood by insurers.
- Sewage backup: Water that flows in from sewage or drains typically won’t be covered under a standard home insurance policy, but most carriers offer supplemental water backup coverage.
- Leaks from poorly maintained pipes: Water leaks from poorly maintained pipes would be considered neglect by the insurance carrier and won’t be covered by your homeowners insurance.
Tips to Protect Against Water Damage
While it can be difficult to avoid sudden or accidental water damage, there are a few precautions you can take to make sure your home is protected from avoidable water damage, such as:
- Inspect bathroom plumbing
- Inspect gutters
- Inspect appliance hoses
- Shut off water when you’ll be gone for an extended period
- Properly store your belongings
How to File a Claim After Water Damage
As soon as you discover sudden or accidental water damage, you’ll want to contact your home insurance carrier. You should take photos and videos of the damage, and arrange for an insurance adjuster to inspect the damage so they can determine what your insurance company could pay for the loss.
If the damage could make your home unlivable, you’ll want to consider making the repairs early to prevent further damage. Most importantly, you’ll want to keep receipts of repairs, as well as any receipts for food and lodging to make a claim for additional living expenses.
Secure Adequate Home Insurance Coverage with SelectQuote
Water damage can be one of the most costly damages, and having the right home insurance coverage can help lessen the impact of financial stressors that can come from it. At SelectQuote, we can compare coverage and rates from some of the most trusted home insurance carriers in just minutes. We’ll learn more about your home and your situation, ensuring you have a homeowners insurance policy that is right for you.
