| Water damage in the home is often covered by | | | | hailstones, falling trees, or high winds. |
| homeowners insurance. For example, insurance may | | | | The following water damage claims are generally not |
| cover your losses due to a burst pipe or leaking | | | | covered by standard homeowners insurance: - |
| appliance. However, if your home is flooded because | | | | Flooding from an overflowing river or lake - Sewer |
| a nearby river overflowed its banks, you're on your | | | | backups - Water seepage |
| own (unless you have a national flood insurance policy | | | | If you want to be covered from natural flooding |
| from the National Flood Insurance Program). | | | | such as overflowing rivers, tidal surges, and flash |
| Water damage claims are tricky. For example, if your | | | | floods, you will need to purchase a national flood |
| home floods because a high wind event blew off the | | | | insurance policy from the federal government. While |
| roof and torrential rains damaged your home, the | | | | many people believe that these policies are only for |
| damage will likely be covered but if the flood is the | | | | homeowners who live in designated flood plains, it's |
| result of storm surge, you're probably on your own. | | | | important to understand that flooding can occur |
| Below are a few water damage claims that are | | | | outside of recognized flood zones. |
| typically covered by insurance: - Burst pipes - Bathtub | | | | Sewer backups are not generally covered by |
| and sink overflows - Washing machine and other | | | | standard homeowners insurance policies. In fact, this |
| appliance overflows - Water damage from leaking | | | | type of water damage is often specifically excluded |
| roof | | | | from the policy. This doesn't mean that you can't |
| However, insurance policies are filled with loopholes. | | | | insure your home against this type of loss though. |
| For example, if your pipes burst because they froze | | | | Check with your insurance company about purchasing |
| overnight while you were sleeping, the insurance will | | | | a special endorsement that adds coverage for sewer |
| cover the water damage. However, if you left the | | | | and drain backups. |
| home with the heat turned off while on vacation, | | | | Water seepage, which is a common cause of flooded |
| then expect the insurance company to deny the | | | | basements, is also excluded from typical insurance |
| claim on the grounds that you didn't perform | | | | policies. Seepage is considered a preventable |
| necessary upkeep of your home. | | | | maintenance issue, not an accidental loss. If you're |
| In addition, say your washing machine overflows | | | | concerned about water seeping into your basement, |
| causing extensive water damage. The insurance | | | | take the necessary steps to maintain your home and |
| company will likely pay for the water damage to the | | | | prevent this type of damage. For example, you may |
| building and its contents but they won't necessarily | | | | need to re-grade your lot, install a sump pump, or |
| pay to repair the washing machine. | | | | seal your walls with a waterproofing sealant. |
| Likewise, a leaking roof can cause water damage | | | | Clearly, water damage related insurance claims are |
| which is usually covered by homeowners insurance. | | | | complex. Professional water damage restoration |
| However, the roof repairs are considered a | | | | experts in both mopping up the mess as well as |
| maintenance issue and therefore the roof itself isn't | | | | navigating the complexities of what's usually covered |
| covered. The exception to this is if the roof leaked | | | | and what's not. |
| because of damage from a covered event such as | | | | |