There are few things that are as terrifying for a homeowner as water damage. Water damage, be it from a leaking pipe or a leak in the roof, can cause serious damage, and do so very quickly. To begin with, there’s the obvious damage that leads to the water leaking in the first place, but even worse, the water leaking into your house can have other impacts.
If water gets into your ceiling or your drywall, it can cause them to fall apart. Most of the materials that are currently used in ceilings, when soaked through, slough off and discolor. If they remain wet for too long, they can even mold, and mold, besides being unsightly, can cause health issues. An experienced home repair expert can help, but insurance needs to help cover the cost.
So, if you find out that you have water damage in your house, what is it that your insurance company will cover?
WILL IT COVER A FLOODED BASEMENT OR SOMETHING SIMILAR?
If you have opted for flood insurance, then you are likely covered. If the flooding occurs because the water came in through windows, for example, and got into your basement, and you do not have flood insurance, then you are not covered.
But what if the flooding in your basement was the result of a pipe bursting while you were out of the house? In such a circumstance, your homeowner’s insurance would most likely cover that damage, and if the leak caused damage to your carpeting, for example, they would be likely to cover that damage.
The general rule of thumb in this instance is that if the flooding is the result of groundwater getting in to the house, you need to have flood insurance or you’ll be paying out of pocket.
WHAT IF I HAVE A LEAK IN MY ROOF?
If you have a leak in your roof caused by damage sustained, perhaps in a storm or something similar, then your insurance company will almost certainly cover it. They may also cover the damage that it caused (for example, water leaking into a ceiling, requiring replacement of portions of the ceiling).
I’VE LIVED PLACES WHERE, IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER, WATER SEEMS TO LEAK INTO THE CEILING, EVEN WHEN THERE’S NO RAIN OR SNOW. DO THEY COVER THAT?
That sounds like it could be ice damming, which involves your gutters and ice and snow in the gutters getting under the roof. Yes, your insurance will normally cover that.
HOW ABOUT SEWAGE FLOODING? IS THAT COVERED?
It can be, but it may not be. In some cases, insurance will cover it (albeit with certain limitations), while in other cases, it will be something you must pay to replace out of pocket. Consult your policy for more on sewage issues and who bears the cost of repair in that scenario.
These are general answers on what is usually covered by a homeowner’s insurance policy. Your policy may be very different, and the extent to which your insurance will cover problems that may arise can vary depending on your policy.
