Making an Insurance Claim for Water Damage
Water is an important aspect of any home. You certainly want clean water flowing when it’s time for hydration or a hot shower. No homeowner wants water flowing where it doesn’t belong, however, because that can lead to damage, including mold, rot, and mildew.
Before pipes bust or floods hit, it’s a good idea to understand the relationship between your homeowners insurance and water damage.
Key Facts
- Most traditional homeowners insurance covers some types of water damage.
- Flood damage isn’t typically covered by homeowners insurance.
- Damage from burst pipes, overflowing appliances, or other plumbing issues may be covered.
- You may not want to file a claim for every water damage issue.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Issues From Water Damage?
Yes, in some cases, homeowners insurance covers damage related to water. What’s covered depends on your policy, and there are a number of water damage issues that aren’t covered by traditional homeowners insurance.
What Water Damage Issues Are Typically Covered Under Homeowners Insurance?
Typically, homeowners insurance covers damage that comes from a sudden accident or issue inside the home. For example, if the dishwasher drain pipe springs a large leak and sends water spewing into the cabinets and through the subfloor to the basement, your homeowners insurance may cover the cost of associated repairs.
Not all policies are the same, and it’s always important to read your policy carefully. However, the table below offers some insight into the type of water damage issues that may be covered by homeowners insurance.
| Water Damage Type or Incident | Does Homeowners Insurance Cover It? |
|---|---|
| Sudden water damage from a broken pipe | Often covered |
| Accidental damage to plumbing that causes water damage | Often covered |
| Overflowing appliances, such as a dishwasher | Often covered |
| Leaking caused by a frozen and damaged pipe | Often covered |
| Damage to the foundation that leads to leaks | Sometimes covered |
| Leaks from windows and doors | Sometimes covered |
| Water that comes into the home as snow or rain driven by wind | Sometimes covered |
| Slow leaks that occur over time | Often not covered |
| Sump pump failure that causes backup | Often not covered (unless you’ve purchased additional coverage for this purpose) |
In cases where an appliance is the source of the water causing the damage, most homeowners insurance plans won’t cover the broken appliance. For example, if a water heater breaks and leaks water into the home, homeowners insurance often covers the resulting damage to drywall and other parts of the home. It may even cover losses associated with personal property damaged by the leak, such as clothing or electronics. But it wouldn’t cover the repair or replacement of the water heater.
What Water Damage Issues Are Typically Not Covered Under Homeowners Insurance?
Some water damage issues aren’t generally covered by homeowners insurance.
The first is flood damage. Typical homeowners policies don’t include flood coverage, and homeowners living in areas where flooding may be a concern might want to look into additional types of coverage to protect their interests.
Homeowners insurance also doesn’t tend to cover water damage that’s related to negligence on the part of the homeowner. For example, if you know the plumbing in a certain area of your house, such as under the kitchen sink, is faulty and ignore the issue, you generally can’t make a successful claim for any water damage that occurs related to the problem. In the same vein, if you see obvious signs of a leak and ignore them and the issue becomes larger over time, the damage probably won’t be covered.
How to File an Insurance Claim for Water Damage
Before you begin the work of filing a claim for water damage to your home, do what you can to safely stop it from getting worse. Investigate the source of the water damage and take measures to stop more water from coming into the home or area. This might include turning off water valves under sinks or closing off water lines feeding appliances.
You can mop up standing water and dry the area with towels, but don’t begin making repairs to the area before an insurance adjuster sees it.
Once you’ve stopped the immediate flow of water, pull out your homeowners insurance policy. Review it to see if this might be a covered loss. If you’re not sure, call your insurance agent or file a claim.
While each insurance company has its own processes, some common steps for filing a homeowners insurance claim for water damage include:
- Letting your insurance company know about the damage: You do this by calling your agent to report the issue or by opening a claim online via your insurance provider’s online portal, if applicable.
- Gathering evidence: Take pictures of the damage, write down notes about the incident, and otherwise document the issue. You may not remember some of the specifics later, and it can be helpful to have notes to reference.
- Meeting with the adjuster: The insurance company will likely send someone to your home to review the damage. Ensure the adjuster is able to see all the water damage.
- Following through with any immediate mitigation: Sometimes, insurance companies will arrange immediate services to clean up water damage. This can include home cleaning services or companies that specialize in mold removal or equipment that helps dry out walls and other home structures well. Insurance companies usually pay these companies directly.
- Receiving a payout or repair services: Finally, your insurance company will either provide a payout meant to cover further repairs or pay providers directly for those services.
When Might You Consider Filing With Your Homeowners Insurance for Water Damage?
Before you file a claim, consider whether it’s worth it. If the damage is minimal or you can fix the issue yourself — or even with the help of a plumber — for a few hundred dollars, it’s likely not worth the hassle of filing a claim. That’s especially true if you have any type of deductible, as you might end up with the same out-of-pocket expenses anyway.
A homeowners insurance claim is more appropriate in cases where you know there’s extensive damage or the issue will cost a lot to repair. Consider whether the benefit of filing the claim outweighs the fact that you’re adding a claim to your insurance history. Too many claims can make it difficult for you to get homeowners insurance in the future or cause your premiums to go up, so you want to avoid filing claims for small issues.
Prevention Tips for Avoiding Water Damage Issues
Of course, the best way to ensure you aren’t experiencing losses associated with water damage is to avoid issues to begin with. Ensure you follow through on maintenance and plumbing inspections. Work quickly to fix small issues before they can become larger ones, invest in high-quality appliances, and use them following the manufacturer’s recommendations. Prevent frozen pipes from causing damage by insulating pipes well and leaving water dripping in faucets if needed on extremely cold nights.
Reviewed by Kristopher Kane
Kristopher Kane is a career freelance writer with over 15 years of experience and a broad portfolio encompassing various topics within the insurance industry. He has written for both B2B communication and consumer-level customer engagement.