If you’re facing an emergency in your home such as a burst pipe, the last thing you want to worry about is conflicts with your insurance plan. While homeowner’s insurance is an essential part of every home, it’s important to understand the limits of your coverage and be prepared for any costs in the event of damage or disaster.
Does homeowners insurance cover water damage? This is a question you’ll want to know the answer to before any leaks, floods, or other water exposure ever happens in your home. Read on to find out what kind of protections to expect from your homeowner’s insurance.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Water Damage?
In regards to if water damage is covered on your policy, the answer is: it depends.
Most insurance plans cover water damage that is “sudden and internal,” which excludes flooding and other outdoor water issues. Homeowners insurance plans most often protect the home the following catastrophes:
- Faulty plumbing
- Accidental Overflow
- Frozen or burst pipes
- Rain or Snow
- Water damage from putting out fires
- Interior damage from a leaking roof
- Appliance overflows such as tub, toilet, or washing machine
- Vandalism
- Mold from water leaks
There are situations where your insurance company will not pay for water-related damage. Any damage due to neglect or poor conditions is often excluded from coverage. These situations include:
- Seepage from the ground
- Floods
- Blockages in pipes
- Neglect of regular maintenance
Flood damage must be covered by an additional policy that you purchase to cover the value of your home.
Mold Damage Coverage
Dangerous mold is a common issue after water seeps into the porous surfaces in a house. While insurance will cover the cleanup from water damage, including mold, it is possible they only cover this circumstance up to a certain dollar amount. It is also possible that any resulting mold will have to be filed in a second claim after the original remediation.
If mold is due to a leak that has been left unattended for years, insurance will not cover the cost of damages. A growing infestation due to humidity or moisture in areas such as basements is also not covered by typical water damage protection. Mold that spreads to other areas after an initial incident may also be exempt from coverage.
How to Prepare for a Claim
Not all aspects of clean-up are guaranteed to be covered by your insurance plan. You may also have a deductible amount to cover before your insurer will pick up the remainder of the costs. It is important to be aware of your financial responsibility in the event of any emergencies.
When you notice water damage in the home, documentation is crucial. Always photograph the origin and results of the damage in a thorough manner. These photos can help provide evidence that any ensuing mold infestations came directly from the damaging incident.
Consider hiring a contractor to give you an estimate of the repair costs. This professional evaluation can be compared to the settlement offered by insurance, which gives you room to negotiate the claim to cover more repair and clean-up costs.
Make sure to save any receipts and photograph before-and-after for any interim cleanup or repairs you have to do while your claim is being processed. You could file for reimbursement for out-of-pocket costs as long as you have the proof you need.
Don’t Let an Emergency Put You Underwater
The last thing you want to worry about while dealing with a home emergency is “Does homeowners insurance cover water damage?”
Make sure to go over your plan carefully to be aware of what your coverage and options are. The more you know about what to expect, the more you can prepare for any accidents or catastrophes that should arise in your home.
Give yourself peace of mind in the event of water damage. Contact us today to address mold, cleanup, prevention, and more.