The discovery that your basement is flooded from a malfunctioning water heater is not fun, especially when you discover damage to the flooring. You’re likely to want to know whether your homeowner’s insurance covers water damage as soon as possible.
You can file a claim with an insurance agent if you have damages to your home and plan to file a claim with your homeowner’s insurance policy.
In most homeowners’ policies, water damage resulting from an internal source, such as a burst pipe, is likely to be covered. If the water has come from outside, the water will not be covered by your standard policy. We may, however, be able to protect ourselves against flood-related losses if we purchase a flood insurance policy, a separate policy that can complement our homeowner’s insurance. or you have to visit a leak detection company to overcome all kinds of problems like this fast.
Insurers do not cover these types of water damage
The amount of water damage you are covered for depends on where you got the water. Here are three situations in which a standard homeowners policy does not provide coverage.
The maintenance issues were not resolved. As an example, your homeowner’s insurance likely won’t cover water damage caused by a leaking sink that’s been leaking for months.
The original cause of the water damage needs to be repaired or replaced with the help of a leak detection company. It is unlikely that homeowners insurance will cover the cost of repairing or replacing a washing machine if it causes water damage to the laundry room floor. Homeowners will usually be able to repair the floor, however.
Flood-related issues. You will need separate flood insurance coverage for damage from a flood. Your homeowner’s insurance will not cover damage from a flood.
Preventing water damage
In either case, it is always better if there is no insurance coverage. Below are a few ways to prevent your home from being damaged by water:
Ensure that the hoses feeding washing machines, dishwashers, water heaters, and refrigerators are clean and in good working order.
Avoid sediment buildup by flushing water heaters twice a year.
Pipes should be kept warm and insulated to prevent freezing and bursting. Water should be sprayed through pipes going outside.
Here’s some more information on how to winterize your home and prevent frozen pipes so that your pipes are protected in winter.
An Important Difference Between Water Damage and Flood Damage
Flood damage and water damage are two very different things. For those who are having difficulty distinguishing between the two, we recommend reading your insurance policy carefully or speaking with your agent. There are fundamental differences between a flood and a rainstorm since the water comes from natural sources. Considering flood insurance may be necessary if you live near a large body of water that is prone to overflowing or if you live in a neighborhood that often experiences torrential downpours.
How do floods occur?
A flood, as defined by the National Flood Insurance Program, is a general and temporary situation in which more than two acres of normally dry land, or more than two properties, are inundated with liquid mud or water.
Learn more about homeowners insurance coverage and how it can protect your home and belongings on our homeowner’s insurance coverage page.