If you’ve suffered water damage in your home, one of your first questions might be, “Will my homeowners insurance cover the repairs from water damage?” After all, water can be one of the most incredibly destructive forces on Earth! And that adds up to a lot of expensive repairs in a home damaged by any type of water-related event.

The answer to this question is: It depends on your homeowners insurance policy and its exact stipulations, and it usually depends upon the source of the water damage. In most standard situations, homeowners insurance will cover water damage.  However, our team is highly experienced in dealing with insurance companies and adjustors.  Calling us prior to contacting your insurance company can, in many instances, help you to get your claim covered.  It also will give you a head start on containing and cleaning up the damage.

Typically, your home owners’ insurance policy will cover:

  • Appliance leaks, such those from as a dishwasher or washing machine
  • Broken or leaking pipes
  • Roof leaks, in most cases
  • Water that was used to put out a fire
  • Storms like heavy rain, if the water enters your house from above

It is important to note that even when a homeowners insurance policy covers the damage from certain events, it might not cover repairs for the situation that caused the water leak. For example, a broken dishwasher hose won’t be covered under your insurance, even though the resulting water damage is covered.

However, water damage repair will usually not be covered under a standard homeowners insurance plan, if it resulted from the following events:

  • Flood damage – often defined as water that enters the home from the ground level (as opposed to rain overhead)
  • Negligence of home repairs that causes the damage – such as clogged gutters that cause water to back up into your home
  • Intentional acts of damage
  • Backed up sewer lines

The rules for homeowners insurance can vary according to each carrier, so these are just some general rules that we usually see. In order to understand your exact policy, call your insurance representative immediately for clarification when the water damage occurs. We can also help to guide you through your claim.