Does Home Owner's Insurance Cover Water Damage?

2/20/2023 (Permalink)

DOES HOMEOWNER’S INSURANCE COVER WATER DAMAGE?

You already have insurance and you’re paying for it. But did you ever ask yourself if your homeowner’s insurance covers water damage? What’s covered and what’s not in your homeowner’s insurance policy?

Waking up to a flood due to faulty water heater is annoying especially after you realized your floor is damaged. Plumbing and leaking pipes can be a potential disaster, costing homeowners thousands of dollars. Water damage done to your home is covered by a standard homeowner’s insurance policy. However, not all types of water damage are covered. It’s not always easy to figure out when water damage is and isn’t covered by your policy because the distinctions are so fine, but this guide will inform you of the specific situations when your homeowner’s insurance will cover water damage.

When Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover Water Damage?

Standard home insurance policies require water damage to be sudden and internal, with the requirement that the water has never touched the outside ground. It means that, if water damage occurs suddenly or accidentally from a source inside your home, such as a busted pipe, it will likely be covered by your homeowner’s insurance. If the water comes from outside your home, it will not be covered by your standard policy.

• Plumbing: Burst pipes, frozen plumbing, faulty plumbing, accidental overflow
• Water damage from extinguishing a fire
• A leaking roof (coverage would extend only to the home interior, not the roof itself)
• An accidental overflow of an appliance or fixture (toilet, washing machine, bathtub)
• Mold (only when it’s the result of covered water damage)

What types of water damage not covered by homeowner’s insurance?

Water damage is not covered by insurance if the result is not accident or unexpected occurrence. Here are three instances in which your homeowner’s policy will not provide coverage:

1. Maintenance problems that have not been attended to
2. Repair or replacement of the actual source of the water damage.
3. Flooding

Standard policies won’t cover water damage resulting from a flood, you’ll need to purchase additional flood insurance, especially if you are in area prone to flooding.

If your house floods due to a burst pipe, which happened suddenly and accidentally, that would be an exception, your homeowner’s insurance can cover the costs of water damage.

Does homeowner’s insurance cover water damage from rain?

Homeowners insurance covers water damage from rain sometimes, but not always. It all depends on how the damage occurred. For example, if a storm opens a hole in your roof, allowing water to leak in and destroy valuable personal property, your policy typically offers coverage. But when lack of maintenance results in water damage, you won’t be covered.

If you do find yourself with water damage, call SERVPRO of Davenport/Bettendorf to help! 563-386-3540