Water damage caused by a homeowner’s negligence, such as leaving windows open during a heavy rain or failing to address a known problem such as a leak, is usually not covered by a homeowner’s insurance policy.
Generally, homeowners insurance companies require that the home be in good overall condition in order to approve a homeowner’s claim. When it comes to water damage caused by rain, it is important that homeowners understand their responsibility to maintain their homes. As a reminder for flood insurance claims, homeowners should properly maintain their homes to increase the likelihood of a successful claim.
For example, if a homeowner fails to clean their gutters and a storm brings heavy rain, water can overflow from the gutters and run down the siding, causing mold to grow on the walls of the home. The homeowner files an insurance claim and the insurance company sends an adjuster to the property. If the adjuster sees water in the gutters and determines that it is the cause of the water damage, the insurance company will usually deny the water damage claim. This is because if the gutters had been cleaned and maintained, the water damage likely would not have occurred.
Water damage caused gradually by rain is also unlikely to be covered under your homeowners insurance policy.
An important factor in a successful flood insurance claim is that the damage was caused by a sudden and unexpected event. Water damage is not considered to be “sudden” damage if it occurs gradually. The homeowner’s insurance company will likely deny the claim on the basis of the homeowner’s negligence.
If a homeowner discovers a water leak, it is their responsibility to file an insurance claim or to repair the damage as soon as it is discovered. Neglecting a leak may result in water damage that worsens over time and increases the cost of repairs. The average insurance claim for water damage depends on the cause and amount of the damage, but insurance companies typically deny claims for water damage caused by negligence.
Homeowners living in flood-prone areas may want to consider flood insurance to protect against water damage caused by heavy rains or other types of flooding.
While basic homeowners insurance does not cover flooding or water damage, homeowners can still protect their homes. The best flood insurance companies provide coverage for the home and the policyholder’s personal property if it is damaged or destroyed by a flood. Homeowners living in floodplains and flood-prone areas should strongly consider flood insurance to protect their property, and mortgage lenders are likely to require it.
Flood insurance is usually separate from the homeowner’s insurance. This means that homeowners may have to pay additional insurance premiums. The cost of flood insurance depends on a number of factors, mainly related to location, such as
- Whether the house is in a floodplain
- State and zip code
- Proximity to a river or other waterway
- Elevations of the entire property
Other factors that affect the cost of flood insurance include
- The type of construction of the house
- The age of the house
- Type of insurance
- Deductibles and coverage amounts
Homeowners may also consider adding an endorsement to their homeowners insurance policy as water backup coverage for added protection against water damage caused by rain.
Homeowners whose homes are not at risk of flooding, but who want additional water damage protection, can ask their insurance company about a water damage endorsement. One of the most common endorsements is water backup insurance. This type of insurance usually helps cover the cost of repairing and mitigating water damage caused by water backing up into the home. For example, basic homeowners insurance may not cover water damage caused by drain or sewer backups or sump pump failures, but water backup insurance may.
For homeowners considering adding flood or water backup coverage, it’s important to keep costs in mind. Adding an endorsement to an insurance policy will generally increase the cost of insurance for the homeowner. Homeowners are advised to compare the cost of additional coverage to their risk and choose the coverage that is right for them.
