Does Home Insurance Cover Water Damage Restoration Cost?
Water damage is one of the leading causes of home insurance claims. Water is quick to destroy your home and property. The faster you react to a water leak the better you will help prevent damage to your property. Being proactive during a sudden and accidental loss will make sure that your damage is covered by homeowners insurance. There are few contributing factors to determine if your water damage claim will be accepted or denied. These factors are, the type of policy you hold, if the water damage was sudden and accidental and properly documenting the damage to your property. Not all water claims are covered so hopefully this article can provide some help! Urgent Restoration is your local insurance restoration preferred vendor and available 24/7 for your emergency situations. A certified water restoration company will provide the proper proof to provide your insurance company when a claim is made.
Types of Water Damage
- Sudden and Accidental discharge
- Appliance overflow
- Sewer backup
- Flooding
- Storm and heavy rains
Flood Damage vs Water Damage
Flood damage is very different than water damage. Most homeowners insurance policies DO NOT cover flood damage. Here is the official definition: “a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of two or more acres and two or more properties of normally dry land.” Simply put, the difference between a flood claim and a water damage claim is where the water comes from. Think of flooding as water that rises from outside to the inside. If your home is in a flood plain, you may be required to purchase a flood insurance policy. This is through the National Flood Insurance Program through FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency).
Is a Water Leak Covered by Homeowners Insurance?
Sudden and accidental damage from a burst pipe or appliance overflow is covered by most insurance policies. Here are a few examples of sudden water damage. Your hot water heater suddenly burst and damages your floors and walls. A hose to an appliance bursts and floods adjacent rooms or ceiling below. Washing machine water supply line fails. Most insurance policies cover these claims but documentation is key.
Water Damage Claim Denied?
Not all water damage is covered by your homeowners insurance. Gradual water damage is normally not covered by your insurance. Most policies do not cover wear and tear and maintenance neglect. For example if a continues leaking faucet over time causes damage, The resulting damage will not be covered. Best advice to avoid this is to keep up with home maintenance and keep records of all repairs. This is why immediate action by a certified water damage restoration company, like Urgent Restoration is important to prove all actions were taken to prevent further damage. If your claim is denied, make sure to request a detailed explanation. A public adjuster can also be called to help with your claim. Public adjusters work solely for the homeowner and has no reason to be on the insurance company’s side.
Sewer Backup and Water Backup
Sewer backup is not automatically added to most insurance policies. It can be added to your homeowners or renter’s insurance policy by endorsement. Call your insurance broker to make sure you are covered all types of water damage and additional damage. Also make sure your damaged items are covered such as personal property and type of value you can recieve. Replacement cost to give you value to replace the items where cash value gives you the cost of the item minus depreciation.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Roof Leaks?
Determining if your water damage insurance claim is covered is less a question of what caused the water damage but how. Sudden or accidental water damaged is normally covered in your standard policy. If gradual damage over time from a roof leak happens from poor maintenance or wear and tear, That may not be covered. Remember to document all damage with pictures and videos. Also take measures to prevent further damage such as calling a water damage restoration company right away.
Homeowners Insurance
Pay close attention to the wording of your policy coverages. Most coverages only cover the resulting damages of a water damage claim. When a pipe bursts and washing machine water breaks. Insurance companies will normally only cover the damage resulting from the water discharge and not the broken washing machine or burst pipe it self. Mold remediation may also be covered in your homeowners insurance policy. Best way to determine is to check with your insurance broker. This can vary depending on what state you live in.
Aaron Iannuzzi is the owner of Urgent Restoration with over a decade of experience in the restoration industry. Aaron started Urgent Restoration in 2018 and has locations in Florida and Georgia. The company specializes in water damage restoration, mold remediation, fire remediation and more. Aaron and his team of experienced technicians are proud to serve their communities to restore their homes and businesses back to normal.
