Why the Category of Water Damage Matters to Your Insurance

Many homes in the US experience losses due to water damage, so insurance companies and restoration contractors get strict on their rules. Your homeowner’s insurance will almost certainly provide coverage for water damage that occurs unexpectedly or unintentionally within your property. 

However, water damage brought on by neglected maintenance issues will probably not be compensated. It’s also crucial to remember that water damage produced by water entering your property from the outside will probably not be covered. Water damage repairs are expensive and some cases, can go beyond redemption. In that case, you should know what the insurance company will consider viable for compensation and what it will pass on to you.

Seepage from Heavy Downpour

Most insurance covers do not recognize this as a claim. Being deemed a flood, rainwater that has gathered on the surface and subsequently seeps into your home is not covered by your home insurance policy. Instead, you should acquire flood insurance coverage if you are worried about this.  The same applies to floodwaters from a soaring water table penetrating your basement.

Leaking Roof Wreaking Havoc

This one might go either direction based on the cause of the leaking roof. The insurance provider will probably reject the claim if the roofing is obsolete and diminished to the level of failure because this is regarded as a house repair concern. Nonetheless, insurance will typically extend if a storm, snow, or blizzard destroys the roof and results in a leak.

Plumbing Issues

Plumbing problems are a common type of water damage covered by house insurance. A homeowner’s policy may cover any unexpected water damage caused by a burst pipe, a piping problem, or a wall-mounted pipe leak. You might be protected, for example, if water suddenly starts to flow out of your washing machine while you’re away. In such a case, water leaks through the floor could damage the ceiling or walls of the floor below and make your flooring squeak.

A slow, ongoing leak or local flooding may be considered covered perils under your house insurance policy if they happen gradually or due to regular wear and tear. A backup drain may potentially cause damage, which is probably not covered unless you get an endorsement.

Preventing Water Damage to Avoid Costly Repairs

Since insurance companies do not cover some situations, it is important to know what to do to avoid them. It would be best if you kept these in mind whether your policy covers you or not.

  • If your residence was constructed before 1950, check to see whether your home has any galvanized piping. These pipes’ lifespan is predicted to be between 50 and 75 years. Internal corrosion makes it susceptible to leaks and bursts in the long run.
  • Verify the condition of the grout in your shower and tub in the bathroom. Water can enter the walls through even minor holes, causing decay and mold.
  • Every month, test your sump pump to see if it works. Install one if you haven’t already.
  • Place a backflow valve in position. If the system floods or becomes clogged, this one-way valve will stop water from the city sewage from backing up into your property.
  • If there is moisture in your basement after a downpour, you may need your weep tiles (your property’s drainage system) changed, or you may have foundational fractures that require fixing.
  • Shut off the water to gadgets such as your washing machine and fridge ice maker if you are going on a holiday or not using them.
  • Substitute the rubber water pipes that come with most washers with steel pipes that won’t leak.

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