Category Archives: Insurance Claims

Does Insurance Cover Water Damage Caused by a Washing Machine?

Yes. a Homeowner’s Insurance Policy does cover Water Damage Caused by a Washing Machine…

A Washing Machine can either overflow, supply lines break lose, or the drain line can be misplaced…. either way you are covered for water damage from a Washing Machine.

 

Washing Machine Overflow

Washing machine overflow or leaking is another common way water damage is caused by a washing machine.  This can be a manufacturer’s issue and covered by warranty.

Many times our customers will place a homeowners claim with their insurance company and then the insurance company can work to collect from the manufacturer if they are at fault.

 

Supply Lines Break

We see a lot of homeowners who can accidentally break a supply line when they are moving a washing machine or the drain line is not secured when it is installed.   Many service providers do not like taking supply lines off washing machines for this reason.

CPVC pipes are common water pipes that have issues with cracking because after awhile the pipes get brittle and are very fragile.  If you twist them too hard they can have the potential to break.

 

Misplaced Washing Machine Drain Line

A misplaced drain line is another way water damage is caused by a washing machine.  Many times an installer will use a zip tie or another fastening device to ensure the drain line will stay in place.  When the drain line is not installed properly, washing machine will discharged the water after the cycle instead of the water entering a drain it will flow onto the floor.

Regardless how the water damage occurs by a washing machine, it will be covered by a homeowners insurance policy.  The Insurance Company will cover the Emergency Water Mitigation Services and Repairs up to policy limits.

If you need help with a water damage insurance claim give us a call (317) 315-5071.

Does Insurance Cover Water Damage Caused by a Bathtub Overflow?

Yes…. a Homeowner’s Insurance Policy does cover Water Damage Caused by a Bathtub Overflow.

A bathtub overflow is the not the most common type of water damage we see, but these accidents do happen.  When a homeowner has a bathtub overflow, it is important to understand the reasons for the overflow.

When a bathtub overflows, it can be considered an Accidental Overflow, which provides insurance coverage up to the limit of the policy, or a Drain Backup, which normally has limited insurance coverage.

It is important we a homeowner is experiencing this type of water damage to get a professional water remediation contractor involved to inspect and assess the source of the water damage before you call your insurance company.  It is also important to get a licensed plumber to evaluate the source and reason for the bath overflow.

We say this from experience. Many homeowners are in a panic when they are dealing with a water disaster and when they are talking to their insurance company, may not understand all in’s and outs of the claim process, coverages or what is actually happening in their home.

A professional water damage company can help them understand these details so they can properly relay the message.

They may say one wrong thing and the insurance representative could misunderstand the homeowner and deny them coverage unjustly.

Drain Back Up vs Accidental Overflow

A Drain backup is a common type of water damage found in basements or a lower level of a home.  When heavy rains cause sewer systems to back up or if there is a clog in a main drain line, these are common drain back up scenarios.  Flooded basements caused by sump pump backups also fall into this category.

A drain back up is normally limited in coverage.  It is common to see $5000, $10000 or $25000 in coverage for a drain backup.

Accidental overflow is when a drain is broken or accidentally covered due to a mistake.  This can cause a lot of water to flow out of a toilet, sink or bathtub resulting in significant water damage.  An accidental overflow has coverage up to the limits of the policy.  This is much better coverage than a Drain Backup.

 

 

The quick answer is Yes, a homeowners insurance policy will cover a flooded basement caused by a sump pump.  But it depends…

Flooded basements are one of the most common water damage disasters homeowners face in Indianapolis.  High water tables, mixed with seasonal rains and tired sump pumps can lead to an inch or two of water in a basement.

The 2 most important things to consider when making an insurance claim for a flooded basement are:

• Do I have Coverage for Drain Backup or Sump Pump Backup?
• What is my Insurance Coverage Limit?

 

Do I have Coverage for Drain Backup or Sump Pump Backup?

Many insurance companies require sump pump backup or drain backup to be added to their standard homeowners insurance policies.

It is up to your insurance agent to make sure you have the proper coverages and if you have a finished basement they need to know so they can add the coverage in case you have a flooded basement…

A sump pump is the most common cause for a flooded basement.  If water flows through a window, wall or door this is considered flood water.  This is not covered by a standard home owners policy.

I repeat….If water comes through a window, wall or door this is considered flood water.  It is not covered by a standard homeowners insurance policy.  

 

What is my Insurance Coverage Limit?

Most flooded basement insurance coverage is limited to $5000 or $10,000.  So its good to check on your coverage and limit before you hire a water damage contractor to cleanup the damage.  Depending on your coverage it may be best to have a plan before starting the work.

An insurance agent can be your best resource in some of these scenarios because they can give you the information you need to make an informed decision with a remediation company.

Good questions to ask are do I have a limit and how much is my deductible?

 

 

 

 

Will My Insurance Company Pay for a Hotel during a Water Restoration Project at my Home?

Have you ever dealt with water damage in your home? If not, ask someone who has. They will tell you it can be a very invasive experience. The way Restorex Disaster Restoration dries out properties is by using a combination of heat and air movement, which can be uncomfortable if this is in your main living spaces.

Typically, rooms affected by water damage in a home can be as hot as 85 or 90 degrees, while 5 to 8 air movers blow loudly in the background. If that area is in your basement no sweat, pun intended. Just close the door and carry on with your daily routines. If the damage affects your main living area, (Like your kitchen…) it can be a lot more uncomfortable.

 

Insurance Company’s Point of View

Your insurance company understands that during a water damage mitigation you are inconvenienced. If our company foresees that conditions are going to be too uncomfortable, we will discuss getting a hotel room with our customer.

Some people don’t want to leave, and if they’re willing to ride out the hurricane-like conditions, more power to them.

However, if a customer would prefer to stay in a hotel during the dryout, that option is available to them. It’s as easy as reaching out to the insurance adjuster to explain the situation and get approval.

 

Hotel During Water Damage Bottom Line

To be honest it often works out better for both the homeowner and our company when the house is vacated. In those cases, Restorex can do the work necessary to cleanup and dryout the property without worrying about inconveniencing the occupants.

In turn, the customer can avoid the temperature and noise of our drying equipment slowly driving them toward a mental breakdown.

NOTE: The insurance company will not pay for you to stay at the Ritz Carlton if we have 4 fans and a dehumidifier in 1 of your bedrooms. Hotel stays are only approved during “significant” water damage situations.