Water damage and plumbing claims can be tricky. Water damage can leave a mess. You assume homeowners insurance will cover your damage, but that’s not always the case. If you don’t take proper precaution, then your insurance company may not cover your plumbing or water damage insurance claim.
Today, we’re explaining some of the best tips, tricks, and strategies for filing a plumbing or water damage claim with homeowners insurance.
Practice Good Maintenance: Home insurance will deny any claims related to poor maintenance. If your home had leaky pipes for years, for example, and you failed to do anything to repair those pipes, then insurance will deny the claim. Insurance is designed to cover unexpected expenses – not expected repair costs. Good maintenance will ensure your plumbing or water damage claim is covered by insurance.
Understand What Isn’t Covered: Certain plumbing and water damage issues are never covered by home insurance. Many home insurance policies cover the damage caused by the plumbing issue, for example, although they will not cover the cost of repairing the plumbing issue itself. Understand what is and is not covered by home insurance.
Check your Policy for Water Backup Coverage: You assume your home insurance policy covers any damage related to water, but that’s not always the case. Most home insurance policies deny coverage due to water backups from outside sewers or drains, for example. If your water has backed up from an outside sewer or drain, then your insurer may deny your coverage. A standard home insurance policy does not cover damage from a backed up sewer or drain, although you may be able to purchase additional coverage.
Buy Extra Flood Insurance: A standard home insurance policy in the United States will not cover flood damage. If a nearby river or lake overflows and floods your home, then your insurer will deny any claims related to this incident. In most parts of the United States, you must buy added flood insurance coverage. Standard insurance companies do not offer flood insurance, although organizations like FEMA offer flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program. Depending on your location, flood risk, and aversion to risk, you may want to buy extra flood coverage.
Water damage and plumbing insurance claims can be messy. Many homeowners believe they’re covered, only to be disappointed when the insurance company denies the claim or offers a disappointingly low payout.
Research your insurance policy and understand what’s covered – and what isn’t covered. You can ensure an efficient plumbing or water damage insurance claim process.
Today, we’re explaining some of the best tips, tricks, and strategies for filing a plumbing or water damage claim with homeowners insurance.
Practice Good Maintenance: Home insurance will deny any claims related to poor maintenance. If your home had leaky pipes for years, for example, and you failed to do anything to repair those pipes, then insurance will deny the claim. Insurance is designed to cover unexpected expenses – not expected repair costs. Good maintenance will ensure your plumbing or water damage claim is covered by insurance.
Understand What Isn’t Covered: Certain plumbing and water damage issues are never covered by home insurance. Many home insurance policies cover the damage caused by the plumbing issue, for example, although they will not cover the cost of repairing the plumbing issue itself. Understand what is and is not covered by home insurance.
Check your Policy for Water Backup Coverage: You assume your home insurance policy covers any damage related to water, but that’s not always the case. Most home insurance policies deny coverage due to water backups from outside sewers or drains, for example. If your water has backed up from an outside sewer or drain, then your insurer may deny your coverage. A standard home insurance policy does not cover damage from a backed up sewer or drain, although you may be able to purchase additional coverage.
Buy Extra Flood Insurance: A standard home insurance policy in the United States will not cover flood damage. If a nearby river or lake overflows and floods your home, then your insurer will deny any claims related to this incident. In most parts of the United States, you must buy added flood insurance coverage. Standard insurance companies do not offer flood insurance, although organizations like FEMA offer flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program. Depending on your location, flood risk, and aversion to risk, you may want to buy extra flood coverage.
Water damage and plumbing insurance claims can be messy. Many homeowners believe they’re covered, only to be disappointed when the insurance company denies the claim or offers a disappointingly low payout.
Research your insurance policy and understand what’s covered – and what isn’t covered. You can ensure an efficient plumbing or water damage insurance claim process.