Does Your Homeowners Insurance Policy Cover Water Damage?

Imagine getting out of bed one morning and stepping directly into a deluge of ankle deep water. Sounds like a bad dream right? Unfortunately for Judy Somers the water was no dream, it was a disaster. The previous night Judy had put a load of laundry in the washer then turned it on and went to bed. Upon waking, she was horrified to find nearly her entire house flooded with water. The culprit? A twelve-dollar hose on the back of her washer had burst causing untold damage throughout the house. Not only were the wood floors ruined, but the furniture, walls and carpet were severely damaged as well. After calming down, she immediately phoned her insurance company.

Judy, like many people, was unfamiliar with the details listed in her homeowners insurance policy regarding water damage coverage. Homeowners insurance provides protection for risks associated with owning property such as fire and theft but doesn’t always cover certain types of water damage. By promptly calling her insurance company, Tri-Star Insurance Professionals Inc, Judy was able to discern what would be covered and what she would have to pay for out of pocket.

The first thing to remember when filing a water damage claim is to report the loss the correct way. That means instead of claiming flood damage, which is not covered by homeowners insurance, take the time to investigate the true cause of the water damage because what you initially say can affect the outcome of your claim.

The reason the water damage occurred in the first place determines what your homeowners insurance policy will cover. Insurance agents usually consider accidental leakage or overflow of water from refrigerating systems, plumbing, air conditioning, windows and skylights that results in the destruction of property an unforeseen happening and will usually cover the damage.

In Judy’s case, a burst pipe was a legitimate claim so she received the necessary amount to repair the damages to her home. However, she did not anticipate the growth of mold in underlying areas and was distressed to find out that it was not covered by her insurance. 

Generally damage caused by rot, rust and mold is considered negligent and therefore is not covered. In instances of covered peril, or in this case hidden moisture deposits that produce mold, there may be a limited amount of coverage available depending on your individual policy. Insurance companies tend to worry about water-damage claims that without proper cleanup could end up growing into very expensive mold outbreaks.

Remember to talk with your insurance agency about what your homeowners policy does and does not cover in the event of water damage so you won’t be caught unaware. Water damage insurance is usually just added on as an endorsement of an existing homeowners policy. Tri-Star Insurance Professionals will work with you to determine the right amount of water damage coverage that fits your needs. Call Tri-Star Insurance Professionals Inc. in North Dallas, Plano and Frisco today at 214-387-0600 or toll-free at 1-800-990-4600 to make sure you have the proper amount of homeowner’s insurance to protect your home from water damage.