Over the course of a lifetime, most homeowners will experience some form of water damage in their home. After dealing with the immediate issue of the water, contacting one’s insurance provider is the next step in the process.
You may be wondering if your policy will cover any damage. Here are a few scenarios and likely outcomes to help you determine if it’s worth filing a claim.
In most cases, damages resulting from homeowner neglect will not be covered by insurance. That means preventable damage from water seeping into your home, a leaky roof, or if your washing machine overflows. You should expect to cover the cost upfront.
A general rule of thumb is the damage will need to be able to be categorized as “sudden and accidental” in order for you to file a successful claim. That could include water from a broken appliance and water damage from burst pipes, provided you’ve kept the house warm.
In general it’s best to check with your insurer to determine the scope of coverage. You’ll never know if you don’t call. If you don’t have a policy, we highly recommend investing in one. It only takes one disaster to create a lifetime of headaches.