Water Damage - Are you really covered?
Have you ever wondered what happens if water causes damage to your home? Well, your home insurance can help, but it's a bit tricky. Let's break it down so it's easier to understand.
What Does Insurance Cover
Your home insurance usually helps pay for damage caused by water in a few situations, like if:
Pipes Burst: If a pipe in your home suddenly breaks and water gets everywhere, your insurance can help fix the damage.
Appliance Leaks: If your washing machine or dishwasher goes on the fritz and leaks water, your insurance has your back.
Roof Leaks: If water comes in through your roof during a heavy rainstorm, your insurance can help clean up the mess.
Oops Moments: Ever forget to turn off the tap and the sink overflows? Insurance can help with that, too.
Weather Troubles: Things like big storms can cause damage, and your insurance often covers that.
What's Not Covered?
Sewer Problems: If the sewer backs up and causes a mess, your regular insurance might not help unless you have extra coverage.
Slow, repetitive water damage: Wood rot is often caused by slow leaks and is often not covered by your insurance.
Floods: If water comes into your home from outside, like from a river overflowing or rain collecting, that's a flood, and your regular insurance won't cover it. You'd need special flood insurance for that.
Here's something important: if your house is empty for more than 30 days—like if you're on a long vacation or in between tenants—your insurance might not cover water damage the same way. It's because no one is there to catch problems before they get big. You should tell your insurance company if your house will be empty more than 30 days so they can help you out.
Your Part of the Deal
You have to take care of your house, too. If a problem happens because you didn't fix something you knew was broken, your insurance might not help. So, keep your house in good shape to avoid problems.
What to Remember
So, understanding your home insurance is super important. It helps to know what it does and doesn't cover for water damage. And if you're going to be away from your home for a while, check with your insurance to make sure you're still covered. Keep your home in good condition to prevent any water damage from happening in the first place. It's all about being prepared and knowing what your insurance can do for you!
