Is Water Damage Restoration Covered by Your Homeowner’s Insurance?
12/15/2021 (Permalink)
If any part of your home suffers water damage, one of the first calls you’ll make – right after you call a local water damage restoration company – is to your homeowner’s insurance agent. In some situations, insurance policies don’t pay for water damage restoration. While your coverage may differ, the decision may come down to whether the damage was preventable.
Accidental and Sudden Water Damage May Be Covered
Depending on the extent of the damage, two types of homeowner’s insurance coverage may apply. Dwelling coverage may help pay for structural repairs, such as areas of the walls or flooring that have been damaged. Personal property coverage may help cover the costs of replacing damaged belongings.
Insurers May Deny Claims for Preventable Damage
Homeowners' insurance policies don’t always cover sudden and accidental water-related damage.
Insurers usually deny claims if they determine that poor maintenance practices were responsible for a water event or if the homeowner could have prevented the damage from occurring. So, if you fail to repair a leaky faucet or toilet, for example, and water floods your home, your homeowner’s insurance isn’t likely to pick up the tab for the resulting repairs.
Other Types of Water Damage Not Covered by Insurance
In any case, responding promptly after discovering water-related damage can help limit your property loss and keep the costs of restoration down.