If you find yourself dealing with the unfortunate issue of water damage in your home, you’ll want to know what your home insurance may cover.
Does homeowner’s insurance cover water damage?
This is a common question we hear. The short answer is: it depends.
What water damage is usually covered by insurance
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), “Homeowners and renters insurance provides coverage for burst pipes, wind-driven rain and damage resulting from ice dams on your roof. Generally speaking, water that comes from the top down—such as rainfall and burst sprinklers—is covered by a standard homeowners policy.”
What water damage is usually NOT covered by insurance
Groundwater is water entering at or below the surface of the ground. Water that comes into a home at or below the ground level the damage is not covered. This includes sewer water.
If you have a sump pump, you can often purchase an optional homeowner policy endorsement called “Sump Pump Failure and Sewer Backup Coverage” to cover that sort of damage. You may also want to consider National Flood Insurance, especially if you live in a flood plain. According to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), the cost of flood insurance varies depending on factors such as:
- Year of building construction
- Building occupancy
- Number of floors
- Location of its contents
- Flood risk (e.g., its flood zone)
- Location of the lowest floor in relation to the Base Flood Elevation on the flood map
- Deductible and amount of building and contents coverage
Of course, your best bet is to make sure you know what is covered ahead of time so you’re not caught by surprise and since the specifics of your policy may vary.
What to know about filing an insurance claim
If your claim involves fire, burglary, or vandalism, you’ll want to report it to the authorities first. Otherwise, call Restor-It at 678-355-6645 and we can assist with calling your insurance company and documenting the damage with photos.
If you have any receipts for anything that was damaged by water, it’s a good idea to locate those as well.
How Restor-It can help with your insurance claim
When the Restor-It team visits to assess the water damage, we can assist you with filing the claim with your insurance company, drying their home, working with the insurance adjuster, writing up an estimate for the damage, and be a liaison for you from start to finish.
The dry out process normally takes approximately 72 hours. The Restor-It emergency restoration team can also assist you with restoring your home to pre-loss condition. While the reconstruction process does take longer to complete, at Restor-It we take pride in our ability to meet and exceed our customers’ expectations. (Read some reviews here.)
Some tips for dealing with an insurance claim
Remember when you’re dealing with a water damage claim to be direct and ask your insurance agent or person handling your claim any questions to ensure you have all the information you need along the way. They are there to help and will point you in the right direction.
From new floors to emergency fire and water damage, Restor-It has you covered.
