Categories Claim Tips

Does Renters Insurance Cover Water Damage?

Does Renters Insurance Cover Water Damage?

Renters Insurance does cover water damage for the renters personal property, such as furniture or a computer….but the renter’s insurance policy will not typical cover water damage to the property’s structure. 

The property owner’s insurance policy will be responsible for covering the water damage to the structure.  This is important when deciding to place a water damage insurance claim.

Learn the 3 Secrets You Should Know Before Placing a Water Damage Insurance Claim

Water Damage that is Covered by Insurance

The types of water damage that is covered in a water damage insurance claim can be described in 3 categories.

  1. Broken Pipe or Burst Pipe Water Damage Claim
  2. Flooded Basement of Drain Backup Insurance Claim
  3. Appliance Water Damage Claim

All 3 of these categories are covered in a homeowners insurance policy but some scenarios can be limited depending on the circumstances. 

Broken Pipe or Burst Pipe Water Damage Claim

A broken or burst pipe is covered and not limited to lower amount than the limit of the insurance policy.  This will cover all the water mitigation and repair services to return the home back to its original condition.

It will also cover the personal property items that were affected by water.

Flooded Basement or Drain Backup Insurance Claim

Flooded Basements and Drain Backups are typically limited to $5000, $10000, or $25000.  This is dependent on the insurance company and how the insurance agent wrote the original policy. 

When a homeowner is experiencing these types of water damage it is important to double check the coverage before you begin the water mitigation services. 

Appliance Water Damage Claim

When water damage is caused by an appliance the water damage insurance coverage is similar to a broken pipe but the main difference is the repair or replacement of the appliance is not covered by the insurance company.

The insurance policy will cover the emergency water cleanup services and repair services…but it will not pay for the source of the water damage.  



Author Corbin Clow, Restorex
Categories Claim Tips

Home Insurance Water Damage

Home Insurance Water Damage

Water damage that is covered under a Home Insurance Policy will depend on the source of the water damage…

Below are the 2 key things a homeowner should understand about water damage home insurance:

  1. What caused the Water Damage? or Where did the Water come from?
  2. Was the Water Damage “Accidental and all of Sudden”?

We will discuss these below… 

What Caused the Water Damage?

The cause of the water damage is the most important thing to understand, when placing a water damage insurance claim. 

When the source of water is not obvious, we recommend having a professional water damage contractor or plumber investigate the issue before placing an insurance claim. 

Learn the 3 Secrets You Should Know Before Placing an Insurance Claim

There are many sources of water damage and the common causes of water damage are listed below:

  • Water Heater Leaking
  • Sump Pump Failure causing a Flooded Basement
  • Broken water pipe
  • Burst or frozen water pipe
  • Water supply lines that break or burst
  • Dishwashers that are leaking
  • Refrigerator water lines that are leaking
  • Toilet that is overflowing
  • Broken drain line
  • Water softener leaking
  • Kitchen sink overflowing
  • Flooded crawlspaces from a water pipe

3 Categories of Water Damage Insurance Coverage

All these sources can be broken down into 3 categories

  • Broken Pipe or Burst Pipe Insurance Coverage
  • Broken Appliance or Appliance Failure Insurance Coverage
  • Drain Backup or Sump Pump Failure Insurance Coverage

Was the Water Damage “Accidental and all of Sudden”?

This question is the most confusing for our customers…. When they are placing water damage insurance claims.

The answer will normally be Yes…. there are only a few times where the answer is no. 

Insurance companies will only cover water damage that is “Accidental and all of Sudden”, so if the answer is no or maybe, there is a chance that a homeowner could not be covered because of their answers.

The best way to avoid confusion and to understand your water damage better is to get a qualified water damage contractor to do an on-site inspection and assessment of the water damage. 

When a water damage professional can see the water damage and understand the circumstances, they can help coach you through the water damage insurance claims process.

Author Corbin Clow, Restorex
Categories Claim Tips

How Much Does Insurance Pay for Water Damage?

How Much Does Insurance Pay for Water Damage?

Insurance will pay for the water mitigation cleanup services as well as the water damage repairs to the property to return it to its previous condition with “like kind and like quality’ materials and finishes.

This amount can vary a lot depending on the amount of water damage in the home or property.

When Restorex is helping customers with a water damage insurance claim, the only out of pocket expense they have is the Insurance Deductible. The remaining cost of our services are directly billed through the Water Damage Insurance Claims Process.

Why Insurance Does Not Pay for Water Damage?

There are a couple Reasons that an Insurance Company would not pay for Water Damage….

1. The policy does not cover for that Source of Water Damage.
2. The policy has a low limit for that Source of Water Damage.

The Policy Does Not Cover for That Source of Water Damage…

The most common reason a policy does not cover water damage, is if the water came in through a Window, Wall, or Door.
This occurs mostly in Flood Conditions or Heavy Storms, when houses or buildings may flood because of high waters from rivers, creeks, or storm management systems.
The other reason is the source of water damage was not additional written into the Insurance policy….

This occurs with Drain Backups and Sump Pump Backups. For some Insurance policies they need to be added before coverage is provided. The insurance Agent is the one responsible for adding these coverages in the policy.

The Policy has a Low Limit for that Source of Water Damage

This is most common with Drain Backups and Sump Pump Backups. These Sources of Water Damage can be limited in Insurance Coverage to $5,000, $10,000 or $25,000.

Author Corbin Clow, Restorex
Categories Insurance Claims

Does Insurance Cover Water Damage Caused by a Water Heater?

Does Insurance Cover Water Damage Caused by a Water Heater?

Yes, a Homeowners Insurance Policy does cover Water Damage caused by a Water Heater… A water heater is a common way water damage is caused in residential homes.  Many times this type of water damage will be found in a mechanical room, normally found in a basement or garage.

Before placing a water damage insurance claim its important understand the true source of the water damage. The insurance company will also ask if the damage was accidental and all of sudden.  We always recommend talking with a professional water damage contractor before calling an insurance company to make sure you have your ducks in a row.

Learn More about the Water Damage Insurance Claims Process

 

How Does the Water Heater Fail?

Typically the bottom of the unit will rust and fall out. When this happens water will continue to flow out of the unit until the water supply is turned off.  A water heater will last usually about 6 years to 7 years just beyond the standard water heater warranty.

The insurance coverage is not limited, except to the total amount of the insurance policy.

 

Will the Insurance Company Pay for Remediation Services?

The Insurance Company will cover the Emergency Water Mitigation Services and Repairs.  Any qualified mitigation or remediation company will know how to write their estimates and invoices in Xactimate in order to submit them to your Insurance adjuster.  Restorex provides water damage restoration services to all customers in Central Indiana.

The only out of pocket expense for the property owner is the Insurance deductible and the cost to replace water heater.  The insurance company will not replace the source or cause of the water damage.  This is one of the unique ways homeowners insurance works.

 

Call for Help with Water Damage

If you need help with water mitigation or restoration services give us a call (317) 315-5071

Author Corbin Clow
Categories Claim Tips

How to Get Insurance to Pay for Water Damage?

how to get insurance to pay for water damage

How to Get Insurance to Pay for Water Damage?

The 2 Secrets a homeowner should know when placing a Water Damage Insurance Claim are:

· What is the Source of the Water Damage?
· Was the Water Damage “Accidental and All of Sudden”?

When a homeowner places a Water Damage Insurance Claim these are 2 Secrets that you will want to know when you call to place a claim. Keep Reading to Learn More.

What is the Source of the Water Damage?

The source of water damage determines if the Insurance Company can provide coverage. Sources of water damage that almost always are covered include:
· Broken Pipes
· Burst Pipes
· Water Supply Lines to Sinks and Toilets
· Water Heater Failure
· Appliance Failures

how to get insurance to pay for water damage

Was the Water Damage “Accidental and All of Sudden”?

This is a very important phrase to remember when placing an Insurance claim for water damage.
Most Water Damage is accidental and all of sudden….
But sometimes a small leak can turn into a big leak and turn into a broken pipe….this might sometimes look like a long term maintenance issue rather than something that is “Accidental and All of Sudden”.
This is a judgement call by the Insurance Adjuster who is the Water Damage Insurance Claims representative who determines Insurance Coverage for a Claim.

Author Corbin Clow, Restorex
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