What Kind Of Water Damage Coverage Does My Home Insurance Cover?

The amount and type of water damage coverage your homeowners policy has depends on what coverages you selected when purchasing the policy. Choosing the right water damage coverage for your home can be quite confusing. To make sure you have the right coverage for your home starts with understanding the coverage options available homeowners insurance.

• Base Homeowners Policy Coverage
  • Most home policies only provide coverage for sudden, accidental releases of water that emanate from inside the home, or water damage resulting from a covered loss.
  • Example: A burst pipe, water heater or dishwasher suddenly leaks onto the floor and is discovered within 14 days.
• Seepage or Leakage Endorsement
  • Many homeowners policies have an endorsement available for seepage or leakage coverage. This coverage is for accidental, continuous seeps or leaks of water or steam within a household appliance or plumbing, heating or air conditioning system.
  • Example: A pipe leaks within the walls and isn’t discovered until 14 days or more.
• Water Backup Endorsement
  • Many homeowners policies have an endorsement available for water backup coverage. This coverage is for damage from water backing up from off property into the home due to clogs, blockages or a failed sump pump.
  • Example: Water originating off premises backs up into the tub or toilet because of a blockage in the city sewer line.
• Service Line Endorsement
  • Many homeowners policies have an endorsement available for service line coverage. This coverage is for physical loss or damage to covered service lines on the residence premises that is the direct result of a service line failure.
  • Example: The water line between city property and the home ruptures, causing water to flow into the yard.

Do I need more coverage than what the base homeowners policy typically covers?

Some of your home’s characteristics could indicate a need for additional water damage coverages. Ask yourself these questions:

• How old is the home? 
  As plumbing ages, decay may go undetected until a small leak causes severe damage to a surrounding wall or ceiling. Water seepage or leakage could cover the cost of tearing out and replacing any part of a building necessary to repair the system or appliance where the leak began, including direct coverage for fungi.
• Do you have a basement?
  Water backup would provide protection in the event water backs up a drain or sump pump. Consider higher limits to cover higher mitigation costs if the basement is finished.
• Are there trees on the property?
  Large trees can wreak havoc on service lines and block drains. Offering service line coverage could mitigate some of the risks associated with tree roots.
• What kind of heating and cooling do you have?
  Leaking water in radiant heating systems and condensation within air conditioning ducts can both result in water damage within a home’s flooring or walls. Seepage or leakage coverage offers protection for these situations.

If you are unsure if you have the right water damage coverage for your home, contact us today, for more information about water damage coverage options and a FREE quote.