Water damage to the home is often covered by homeowners insurance. For example, insurance can cover your losses due to a broken pipe or a leaking appliance. However, if your home is flooded because a nearby river is flooding its banks, you are alone (unless you have a National Flood Insurance Program National Flood Policy).

Allegations of water damage are difficult. For example, if your home is flooded because a strong wind is blowing off the roof and stormy rain is damaging your home, the damage is likely to be covered, but if the flood is the result of a storm surge, you are probably alone.

Below are some claims for water damage that are generally covered by insurance:

However, insurance policies are full of gaps. For example, if your pipes explode because they froze overnight while you slept, the insurance will cover water damage. However, if you left the house with the heat off while on vacation, you can expect the insurance company to be rejected because you have not performed the necessary maintenance in your home.

Let’s say your washing machine overflows and causes significant water damage. The insurance company will probably pay for water damage to the building and its contents, but it will not necessarily pay to repair the washing machine.

Similarly, a leaky roof can cause water damage, which is generally covered by homeowners insurance. However, roof repairs are considered a maintenance problem and the roof itself is therefore not covered. The exception to this is if the roof is leaking due to damage caused by a covered event, such as hail, tree falls or high winds.

The following claims for water damage are usually not covered by standard homeowners insurance:

Water damage to the home is often covered by homeowners insurance. For example, insurance can cover your losses due to a broken pipe or a leaking appliance. However, if your home is flooded because a nearby river is flooding its banks, you are alone (unless you have a National Flood Insurance Program National Flood Policy).

Allegations of water damage are difficult. For example, if your home is flooded because a strong wind is blowing off the roof and stormy rain is damaging your home, the damage is likely to be covered, but if the flood is the result of a storm surge, you are probably alone.

Below are some claims for water damage that are generally covered by insurance:

However, insurance policies are full of gaps. For example, if your pipes explode because they froze overnight while you slept, the insurance will cover water damage. However, if you left the house with the heat off while on vacation, you can expect the insurance company to be rejected because you have not performed the necessary maintenance in your home.

Let’s say your washing machine overflows and causes significant water damage. The insurance company will probably pay for water damage to the building and its contents, but it will not necessarily pay to repair the washing machine.

Similarly, a leaky roof can cause water damage, which is generally covered by homeowners insurance. However, roof repairs are considered a maintenance problem and the roof itself is therefore not covered. The exception to this is if the roof is leaking due to damage caused by a covered event, such as hail, tree falls or high winds.

The following claims for water damage are usually not covered by standard homeowners insurance:

If you want to be covered by natural floods, such as overflowing rivers, storm surges and flash floods, you must purchase a national flood insurance policy from the federal government. While many people believe that these policies are only for homeowners living in designated flood sites, it is important to understand that floods can occur outside of recognized flood zones.

Backups are not usually covered by standard homeowners insurance policies. In fact, this type of water damage is often specifically excluded from the policy. However, this does not mean that you can not insure your home against this type of loss. Ask your insurance company to purchase a special endorsement that adds coverage to sewers and drains.

Water leakage, which is a common cause of flooded basements, is also excluded from typical insurance policies. Leakage is considered an unavoidable maintenance problem, not an accidental loss. If you are concerned about water leaking into your basement, take the necessary steps to maintain your home and avoid this type of damage. For example, you may need to level your lot again, install a sump pump, or seal your walls with a waterproof sealant.

It is clear that the non-life insurance requirements are complex. Professional experts in restoring water damage, both to clean up the mess and navigate the complexities of what is generally covered and what is not.

If you want to be covered by natural floods, such as overflowing rivers, storm surges and flash floods, you must purchase a national flood insurance policy from the federal government. While many people believe that these policies are only for homeowners living in designated flood sites, it is important to understand that floods can occur outside of recognized flood zones.

Backups are not usually covered by standard homeowners insurance policies. In fact, this type of water damage is often specifically excluded from the policy. However, this does not mean that you can not insure your home against this type of loss. Ask your insurance company to purchase a special endorsement that adds coverage to sewers and drains.

Water leakage, which is a common cause of flooded basements, is also excluded from typical insurance policies. Leakage is considered an unavoidable maintenance problem, not an accidental loss. If you are concerned about water leaking into your basement, take the necessary steps to maintain your home and avoid this type of damage. For example, you may need to level your lot again, install a sump pump, or seal your walls with a waterproof sealant.

It is clear that the non-life insurance requirements are complex. Professional experts in restoring water damage, both to clean up the mess and navigate the complexities of what is generally covered and what is not.