What Kind of Water Damage is Covered by My Home Insurance Policy?
Water damage: Things you need to know
Water Damage Coverage
Regular water damage coverage protects you from rain, burst piles, or frozen pipes.
Leaks from plumbing or an appliance
Burst pipes, including freezing
Water damage caused by putting out a fire
Water damage from a roof leak
Water damage from heavy rainfall or hail
For water damage to be covered by your insurance, it must not have been caused by an intentional act or by improperly maintaining your home. For example, leaks resulting from an old roof with missing shingles would probably not be covered.
Many homeowners’ policies do not cover sewer backups, this is an optional coverage.
A sewer backup can result in the replacement of carpets, trim, drywall, wood flooring and other household materials that absorb water, not to mention mold, making it a costly repair.
Flood insurance is notably more expensive, but also covers storm surge and other coastal flooding issues.
You do not have to live in a flood zone to buy flood insurance, roughly a third of all claims are made by flood policy holders that live outside a flood zone.
Traditionally, regular home insurance does not cover sump pump failure. You should always properly maintain your sump pump if you have one, and have a rider in the event of failure. A failed pump can lead to significant water damage in your basement, potentially leading to mold spreading in other areas of your home. Water that collects in your basement can warp wood and cause rot.
Make sure your sump pump meets the needs of you and your space, as a major cause of failure and water damage is inadequate systems. Insurance may not cover you if your pump was unable to perform the task being asked of it. Insurance companies will expect you to perform regular maintenance on the pump and surrounding areas.
Should your sump pump fail while you are away for an extended period of time (such as a trip or vacation) sump pump failure coverage will protect you in the event you return home to ankle deep water in your basement.
Things To Consider For First Time Home Buyers
Water Damage – typically included in your policy but read carefully so you know exactly what is and is not covered.
Sewer Backup Damage – recommended for all homeowners as sewer damage can happen at any time and potentially from a fault in the municipal line that you had no way to prevent.
Flood Insurance – Mandatory if you live in a flood zone and have a mortgage on your home. But can be purchased even if you don’t.
Sump Pump Failure Coverage – recommended if your home has a sump pump or if you plan on installing one.
Normal wear and tear and lack of maintaining your home can be grounds for denial of any water claims
Always speak with your insurance agent first before filing any claim so they can advise you on how to move forward.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to me at Cory Ellerbee, (707) 419-5787 or email me at cory@bigcory.com