Keep your home safe and your head above water with water damage insurance coverage

What kind of water damage is covered under home insurance coverage?

Although your home insurance will most likely cover certain types of water damage, the coverage included may not cover every scenario.

A standard home insurance policy will cover accidental water damage from an internal source such as a leaking appliance, faulty plumbing, or an accident involving an overflowing sink or bathtub.

The water damage coverages within your home insurance policy may not cover incidents such as sewer backups, or flooding caused by a malfunctioning sump pump.

It is important to note that water damage caused by neglected repairs (refusing to repair a roof, not cleaning your gutters for an extended period of time, etc.) may not be covered by your homeowners insurance policy.

Refer to your insurance policy to see what is specifically covered, or talk to an insurance agent if you still have questions.

Internal water sources vs external water sources: What’s the difference?

Internal water sources refer to leaks that occur from sources that are expected to be within your home. These include overflowing water from faucets and bathtubs, leaks caused by dishwashers and washing machines, frozen water pipes and internal damage caused by leaks.

External water sources are classified as unwanted water that originates from an outside source and finds itself within your home. This can include sewer backups, basement flooding caused by a malfunctioning sump pump, or flooding caused by a river or nearby body of water.

Although the damage caused by water is the same no matter where it comes from, where it originates is important to your insurer as it allows them to determine the coverage that might take effect after a covered incident.