Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Water Damage?
You may be staring at some water damage in your home right now. We hope that’s not the case and that you’re simply here after going down a Google rabbit-hole on a slow work day. Either way, we’ve got the answers you’re looking for.
When it comes to your homeowners insurance, it obviously depends on the specific policy that you hold. However, to keep things concise, we’re going to assume that you hold a standard homeowners insurance policy to address this question. A standard policy won’t cover every type of water damage, but there’s a good amount of it that does qualify. It depends on the nature of the damage and how it came about in the first place—causation, in other words.
Before we get into the different causes and their likelihood of coverage, we want to point out that water damage is a common occurrence in the world of insurance. You’re not alone. In fact, the Insurance Information Institute states that about one in 60 homes files an insurance claim for water or freeze damage every single year! That’s just the homeowners that actually take the time to file with their insurance.
So, whether you’re in the midst of water damage right now or are just in the process of learning more, this information is super helpful. We’re an experienced team of experts at Provision Property Restoration who have mitigated water, sewage, fire, and smoke damage across the greater Atlanta region for years. You can trust us to not only provide you with an accurate understanding of water damage and the insurance process, but to even handle it all on your behalf. Let’s get into it.
Which Types of Water Damage Are Covered by Homeowners Insurance?
Standard policies typically only cover sudden and accidental water damage. To be deemed sudden and accidental, the water damage has to have happened unexpectedly due to an event that’s covered by your policy. These are some of the most common examples that qualify:
1. Burst Pipes and Plumbing Failures
Water damage caused by a pipe burst or other plumbing failure due to aging material, freezing temperatures, or another unexpected event is often covered. The insurance company can only deny the claim if it’s determined that the plumbing failure occurred due to homeowner negligence. An example of this would be a vacant home that is left to sit through freezing temperatures with the heating system completely turned off; a frozen pipe in this circumstance would be due to negligence.
2. Appliance and Mechanical Failures
A sudden leak from your washing machine, dishwasher, water heater, or HVAC system is usually covered. However, it must be both sudden and accidental. If an aging water heater tank has been slowly leaking for months and then causes damage to your home, it could be argued that neglect caused the damage leading to a denied claim.
3. Water Used to Extinguish a Fire
If your home experiences a fire that requires the use of water, the damage caused will be covered by your insurance. This includes the triggering of sprinkler systems in the home, even if the fire was small or insignificant.
When Is Water Damage NOT Covered?
Some common causes of water damage that will often be denied by your insurance include:
1. Gradual Leaks and Neglect
If the water damage can be traced to a persistent leak or neglect caused by poor maintenance, your insurance likely won’t cover the damage. This is why it's important to act quickly whenever you see signs of water damage or leaks.
2. Flooding and Groundwater
A standard homeowners insurance policy will not cover water damage from floods, overflowing rivers, or groundwater that otherwise gets into your home. If you think that your home is high-risk for any of these events, make sure you consider getting a separate policy for flood coverage.
3. Drain or Sewer Backups
You might be covered on this, but it depends on your specific policy. A standard policy usually doesn’t include damage from backed-up sewage or sump pump failures, but it can be added as an endorsement. This type of water damage is the most dangerous due to the health risks associated with the bacteria in the water, so it’s important to check your policy and seriously consider adding the endorsement if you don’t already have it.
What to Do If You Find Water Damage
Water damage spreads and compounds with time, so it’s important to act quickly if you’ve discovered some damage. Don’t panic, just give us a call! We’ll give you personalized steps and guidance to get you on the road to recovery. Our team can perform a 100% free, no-strings-attached inspection and consultation of the water damage. We’ll show you all of the live findings on our state-of-the-art devices so you know you aren’t being taken advantage of; honesty and transparency are our top priorities! If you choose to partner with us in mitigating the damage, we’ll start immediately by documenting the damage and beginning the cleanup, sanitation, and drying process. We do everything in our power to make the entire process stress-free and efficient for you and your family’s sake, including handling your insurance claims.
How Provision Helps with Insurance Claims
We know firsthand that working with insurance companies can be confusing, stressful, and time-consuming. That’s why we handle it all on your behalf. Our insurance experts work with claims everyday and already know the ins and outs of what they’re looking for in a claim submission. Here’s our streamlined process that takes everything off your shoulders so you can breathe easy:
1. We Start with a Free Inspection
We already mentioned this, but it's crucial for us to come in with an inspection to determine the cause of the water damage and likelihood of insurance coverage. Remember, this is completely free of charge and will give you all of the information you need to take the next steps.
2. We Communicate Directly with Your Insurance
After the inspection and consultation, we’ll work directly with your insurer so you don’t have to be bothered with calls, emails, and claims.
3. We Collect Thorough Documentation
Insurers require very detailed and comprehensive proof of damage in order for your claim to be processed. That’s why we document everything with our 3D mapping, moisture meters, and other inspection tools to strengthen your claim and ensure that it’s approved.
4. We Submit the Claim For You
Our team will handle everything necessary to submit your claim and get you the maximum payout available. Trust us, we’ve done this before!
Provision is Georgia’s Top Property Damage Resource
Water damage is a pain to deal with. Sewage damage, even more so! But insurance companies are capable of giving you the biggest headaches of all. At Provision, we offer a comprehensive solution to your property damage problem. From initial inspection to your final insurance payout, we’ll take care of you day in and day out—we literally perform daily checkups to monitor the restoration process and keep you 100% informed!
Water damage needs to be taken seriously. The Insurance Information Institute has reported that the average claim amount is $13,954! If you’re insured, it’s important that you take advantage of your coverage to protect yourself from such a huge expense. We understand that a million questions pop into your head in a situation like this. We can help give you the guidance and tools you need to make the best decision for your family; that’s why we don’t charge for our inspections and consultations!
Our process is tested and trusted by hundreds of homeowners across the greater Atlanta area. We’re proud of our 5-star reputation as a low-commitment, high-reward solution for damage mitigation. Even if you’re not insured, we can work with you to establish a payment plan that gives you the help you need in a way that you can manage.
If you’re looking at water, sewage, fire, or smoke damage, reach out today. There’s no commitment and no stress in getting the answers you need and having your home inspected by professionals who care. Let us handle the damage so you can focus on getting your home back.
