Some water damage exclusions include flood damage, sump and water backup damage, groundwater seepage and damage resulting from earth movement. That means your house structure is covered for all problems unless it’s specifically listed as an exclusion in your policy. The most common type of homeowners insurance is an HO-3 policy, which provides “all risks” coverage to the structure of your house. Your homeowners insurance policy will include a list of covered problems, called perils, and exclusions. How to check your policy for water damage coverage Loss of use coverage: If the covered water damage to your house is so severe that it’s temporarily uninhabitable, this can pay for additional living expenses - like hotel stays and restaurant meals - while your house is being repaired.Personal property coverage: Pays for your belongings damaged by the water - like your kitchen table, chairs and cooking equipment.Dwelling coverage: Pays to repair the structure of your house - like your kitchen floors and walls.Here’s how different parts of your homeowners insurance policy could help. Let’s say your dishwasher leaks and the water damages your kitchen and belongings. How homeowners insurance covers water damage Tip: Consider optional “hidden water damage” protection to cover the cost of removing mold and other damage caused by hidden water leaks originating under appliances, in walls or in your plumbing or heating system that your home insurance policy may not cover. You may be able to add equipment breakdown coverage to your policy or purchase a home warranty if you want to be paid out for repairs to certain appliances. If your fridge or dishwasher goes kaput and leaks water, the repairs to the appliances themselves typically aren’t covered. Consider purchasing separate earthquake insurance if you live in a high-risk area. If an earthquake, mudslide or landslide results in water damage to your house, you won’t be covered. While sewer backup isn’t covered by most homeowners policies, you may be able to add water backup coverage to your policy for an additional fee to pay for repairs from drainage backup. Melting snow can overwhelm sewer systems and cause a backup in the drains of your home, possibly causing damage to your floors, walls and more. However, if it was caused by a covered problem in your homeowners policy, such as water damage from a burst hot water heater, it may be covered. If it forms because of a lack of upkeep, it won’t be covered. If you have frequent severe weather or live in a flood zone, you may need separate flood insurance. Floods are typically not covered under standard homeowners insurance. Water that seeps into your basement from the ground or through your house’s foundation is usually not covered. “If your roof is over 20 years old or has gradually declined over time, and you’ve failed to repair or maintain it, you will most likely not be able to claim a roof leak,” said Avner Gat, president of Avner Gat Property Loss Consultants. Neglecting your property or appliances could result in claim denial. Lack of maintenance or general upkeep. The following sources of water damage are not covered in standard homeowners insurance policies: Water damage not covered by home insurance If an ice dam forms on your roof causing it to cave in and damage your house, home insurance may pay for repairs. However, home insurance does not cover flood damage or groundwater that seeps in. This could include damage from heavy rain or hail, like if a severe hailstorm breaks your skylight and rain gets in. For example, leaks to your house caused by sudden damage to your roof, like if a tree falls on it and water gets in. This could be from damage caused by water used to put out flames, such as from sprinklers. Water damage that occurs after a fire.This may include plumbing and appliance leaks - although damage to the actual appliance may not be covered. Keep in mind that if your pipes are already in bad shape and burst due to wear and tear or age your claim may be denied, as home insurance doesn’t cover damage caused by lack of general upkeep. This can include frozen pipes that burst. Home insurance typically covers the following types of water damage: But water that comes “from the bottom up,” such as an overflowing river, would need to be covered by a separate flood insurance policy. The Insurance Information Institute also notes that generally speaking, water that comes “from the top down,” such as rainfall and burst sprinklers, is covered by home insurance. Water damage considered “sudden and accidental” is generally covered by a standard homeowners insurance policy, but gradual damage, like a slow leak, is not.
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