Water Damage Insurance Claim: Does your Homeowners Insurance Cover it?
One of the most common types of home insurance claims is for water damage. According to a report by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), water claim damages are the second largest and most frequent insurance claim after wind damage. In Florida, water damage is usually attributed to rain, flooding and interior plumbing accidents or malfunctions. Since it is fairly frequent, it is important to know which types of water damage claims are covered Generally, water damage that is considered “sudden and accidental” is covered (like a burst pipe) but not gradual damage, such as a leaking bathroom sink. And flooding is not covered, such as flood from storm surge during a hurricane. Your policy will be the best place to check to see the list of coverage limits.
Water damage covered by homeowners insurance typically includes:
· Plumbing failures.
· Accidental leaks, such as a broken washing machine, ice maker or dishwasher.
· Water damage after a fire from water used to extinguish the flames, such as water from a sprinkler system or a hose from the fire department.
· Water damage from a roof leak such as damage from a storm or a tree that falls on your roof. Keep in mind, if an accident (like a fallen tree) damages your roof, you’ll be required to fix the damage in a reasonable amount of time. Failure to do so could result in further water damage that won’t be covered.
· Water damage from storm related events such as heavy rain or wind.
When does homeowners insurance NOT cover water damage?
Water damage is not covered by your home insurance if the damage developed gradually on your property. For coverage to kick in, it must be the result of an accident or sudden, unexpected occurrence. Neglect or lack of maintenance resulting in water damage. Certain situations where homeowner’s insurance does not cover water damage are:
· Ground seepage
· Water or sewer pipe backups
· Flooding
· Poorly-maintained pipes leading to leaks