Does homeowners insurance cover water damage?

A standard homeowners insurance policy will sometimes, but not always, cover water damage. It depends on the cause: interior water damage caused by a burst pipe is covered, while damage caused by neglect or lack of maintenance, as well as flood damage, is not.

It's not always clear when your policy covers and when it doesn't. To find out if you're covered, keep reading.

Does homeowners insurance cover water damage?

Water damage is covered by standard home insurance coverage if it occurs suddenly and internally, as long as the water does not reach the ground outside. This means that the water damage had to be caused by one of the 16 risks covered by homeowner's insurance, such as the abrupt and accidental tearing, cracking, burning, or bulging of steam, heating, air conditioning, or automatic fire prevention system.

When a homeowner's insurance policy covers water damage:

• Stormy weather, whether rain or snow
• Burst pipes, frozen pipes, defective pipes, and unintentional overflows are all examples of plumbing problems.
• Putting out a fire causes water damage.
• Roof leaks (coverage would apply only to the home interior, not the roof itself)
• An appliance or fixture overflows accidentally (toilet, washing machine, bathtub)
• Vandalism
• a fungus (only as a result of covered water damage)

When does homeowner's insurance cover water damage?

If the water damage isn't the result of an accident or a sudden, unexpected incident, your homeowner's insurance may not cover it. You are solely responsible for the cost of repairs if you fail to maintain your property and it floods. Water damage is not covered by home insurance in the following situations:

• Seepage from the ground
• Back-ups in the water or sewer system
• Flooding
• Leaks caused by poorly maintained pipes
• Water damage caused by a flood is also not covered by most standard plans. You'll need flood insurance for that, especially if you live in a flood-prone state like Louisiana.

Water damage leads to mold growth.

Mold is all too common, and it's frequently discovered after your home has been flooded, yet homeowner's insurance rarely covers it. Though removing a mold infestation can be costly, costing up to $30,000, depending on what caused the mold in the first place, your home insurance may be able to help cover the expense of removal.

When does home insurance cover mold?

If the mold is the consequence of water damage caused by a shared risk, your home insurance will cover it. Because mold is considered an extension of water damage, if circumstances such as burst pipes or an AC system overflow allow mold to grow, your homeowner's insurance will cover all or part of the mold removal expense.

Mold cleanup is often covered by home insurance policies for $5,000, while some cover up to $10,000. You can also add additional mold coverage to your home insurance policy by purchasing a floater or endorsement.

Homeowner's insurance usually covers mold damage if it isn't caused by neglect or a lack of upkeep.

Mold can grow in your home if a pipe has been leaking for months and has gone unnoticed, but your homeowner's insurance will not cover it. If you have it, Flood insurance will cover any potential mold that arises from a flood. The flood insurance adjuster will assess and establish the cause of mold damage if you file a claim for it.

Keep your home dry and deal with spills and leaks as soon as you see them avoid mold growth. While homeowners in more naturally humid states like Florida or Louisiana may find it more difficult, we advocate using vents and fans to reduce moisture and humidity in areas and appliances susceptible to it.

Maintain your home's repairs and maintenance, particularly in areas where mold might thrive, such as basements, crawl spaces, and bathrooms. After a spill or leak, bleaching the site can also assist in preventing mold infection.

What to do if your home has been flooded and you need to register a claim?

Now that you know when your home's insurance covers water damage, it's critical to notify your insurer as soon as you notice water damage in your house. Take photographs of the affected area and any damage and the source of the water, such as a burst pipe or a hole in the roof.

Find any photos you have from before the incident to show the adjuster how it appeared before it was damaged. If mold appears in the future, pictures can help you prove that it formed due to water damage rather than negligence.

Your insurer will ask you a series of questions regarding your claim to determine whether your insurance covers it. A claims adjuster will assess the damage. If you need to make any immediate repairs before the adjuster arrives, take photos of the damage and retain the receipts for any items you buy.

You can also contact a contractor to assess the water damage and provide you with a cost estimate for repairs. This is important if the insurance adjuster's coverage quote is too low, as it allows you to bargain with your insurer. When you and the insurance have agreed on an acceptable repair cost, the insurer will usually provide you a half-payment advance to get the repairs started. The remainder, minus the deductible, will be given to you once the project is completed.

Keep photographs of the water damage and other papers related to the damage and your claim in case mold develops in the future. Your insurance company may be hesitant to admit that any possible mold results from previous water damage, but having photographs and records will help you prove your case. If the mold was caused by water damage, some insurers might need you to file a second water damage claim and pay a second deductible before cleanup can begin.