How to Get Home Insurance to Pay for Water Damage

Water damage poses a serious threat to your home and belongings. The average cost of a water damage claim between 2017 and 2021 was $12,514. In 2021, water damage claims accounted for 23.5% of homeowners insurance losses, according to the Insurance Information Institute.^[1]

Homeowners insurance typically provides protection against certain types of sudden and accidental water damage. But it doesn’t cover all types of water damage.

Here’s a closer look at what standard home insurance covers, how to file a water damage claim, and how to make sure you have the right type of protection in place.

When home insurance policies cover water damage

In general, standard homeowners insurance protects you in the event of sudden and accidental water damage to your home that comes from the “top down,” like burst pipes or ice dams. But you may need to take precautions to be eligible for insurance coverage, such as winterizing your home to prevent pipes from freezing.

After a covered water damage event, insurers typically help pay for repairs to the structure of your home under your dwelling coverage and damage to your belongings under your personal property coverage. For example, if a burst pipe ruins your floor and your couch, your homeowners policy might pay to fix the pipes, repair any damage, and replace your furniture.^[2]

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Types of water damage covered by home insurance

Below are a few examples of the types of water damage a standard homeowners insurance policy may cover.

• 

  Burst pipes

  Insurance typically covers damage that occurs from a sudden burst pipe, as long as you take care of the problem right away. But your insurance company may want to confirm that the issue wasn’t a result of negligence, like a failure to heat your home in the winter.

• 

  Roof leaks

  Insurers often cover a sudden roof leak that’s the result of a covered peril like hail damage, falling objects, heavy rain, or the weight of ice, snow, or sleet. But if your roof was already in disrepair when the damage happened, you might not be eligible for coverage.

• 

  Water damage after a fire

  In general, homeowners insurance covers water damage that occurs when putting out a fire.

When home insurance doesn’t cover water damage

Insurance companies often deny water damage claims that aren’t a result of a covered peril, including:

• 

  Flooding

  Standard home insurance doesn’t cover flood damage. But you can often purchase a flood insurance policy to protect your home from these types of perils.

• 

  Water backup

  Most homeowners policies won’t cover damage that’s a result of a water backup, including from a sump pump, sewers, or drains. But you may be able to add a backup rider to your policy.

• 

  Delayed maintenance

  Insurers often deny claims if it determines the water damage was a result of poor maintenance or negligence on your part — like failure to fix a bad roof or an appliance you didn’t properly maintain.

How to file an insurance claim for water damage

Filing a claim may look a bit different from one insurance company to another. After water damage, you’ll need to file an insurance claim. Here’s how to get started:^[3]

1. Find the source of water damage

Identify the source of the damage. This will help you determine not only the cause of the problem but also whether you have coverage for it.

Once you’ve determined how the damage occurred, try to mitigate future damage if possible. It’s important to take pictures of the damage, as your insurance company will likely ask for evidence when you file a claim. Also, make a list of damaged personal items.

2. Review your homeowners policy

Next, review your homeowners policy to determine if the water damage is due to a covered event.

For example, if a frozen pipe bursts in your home due to subzero temperatures, your dwelling coverage may help pay for repairs and your personal property coverage may pay for any water-damaged belongings.

But if your upstairs bathroom sink has been leaking for months and damaged the ceiling below it, your insurance is unlikely to cover the cost of repairs, due to negligence.

3. Contact your insurance company

Contact your insurance company to discuss your water damage issue as soon as you identify the source of the problem. Your agent will provide additional information about whether your home insurance covers the damages and what to do next.

The claims-filing process might vary slightly by insurer, but most let you file claims online. Be prepared to provide documentation of the damages, including photos.

4. Work with a claims adjuster

Your insurance company may also send a claims adjuster to your home to assess the damage. The adjuster will determine the extent of the damage and estimate the total amount you’re likely to receive from your insurer.

5. Reach out to a contractor for repairs

Once you receive your insurance payout, you can work with a contractor to make the necessary repairs. Check with your insurer to determine whether it has an approved list of contractors before you hire someone.

If the cost of the work ends up being higher than the initial payout, you may be able to get additional money from your insurance company.

Can you appeal a denied insurance claim?

Unfortunately, your insurance company may deny your claim if it determines the water damage wasn’t from a covered event. If you disagree, you can submit an appeal to your insurer.

Your appeal must be in writing, and your insurance company likely has a standard form to complete. Consider providing additional documentation to support your case, such as more photos or an assessment of damages from a licensed contractor. This can increase your chances of a successful appeal.

Other types of water damage coverage

Unfortunately, standard home insurance policies don’t cover certain types of water damage, like a frozen pool you failed to winterize or water seepage from the ground into a basement or crawl space. But in some cases, extra coverage is available to protect your home against certain types of water damage.

Here are some common types of add-on coverage.

Flood insurance

Flood insurance offers financial protection if your home or belongings are damaged from flooding after a covered weather event. For instance, flood insurance may provide coverage after a coastal flooding event if a storm surge damages your property.

Homeowners who live in areas with a high risk of flooding may want to purchase flood insurance. Your mortgage lender might even require you to buy this type of coverage in some cases. Many private insurers offer flood coverage, as does the National Flood Insurance Program from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Water backup coverage

Sewer and drain backup coverage protects you financially if your sewer, sump pump, or septic system backs up into your home. This coverage can be useful because it’s difficult to predict when a backup might happen, and repairs can be expensive.

Mold damage coverage

Most standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover mold damage unless a mold claim is a result of a covered peril. Consider adding on a mold endorsement for extra protection.^[5]

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6 ways to prevent water damage

Use the tips below to reduce the risk of water damage in your home:

• Insulate your pipes. Prevent your pipes from freezing and potentially bursting.

• Check your appliances. Inspect your appliance hoses regularly, including your dishwasher and washing machine, to identify potential leaks before water damage occurs.

• Maintain your water heater. Drain your water heater each year, or hire a plumber to do it for you, to avoid sediment buildup that can damage your hot-water heater and trigger leaks over time.

• Install water-leak detectors. Install a water-leak-detection system to identify leaking pipes or valves before they cause major water damage.

• Clean your gutters. Clear out leaves and debris from your gutters a few times a year (or hire someone to do this task for you) to prevent ice dams and leaks.

• Remove snow from your roof. Clear snow from your roof to avoid potential leaks and to reduce the likelihood of a roof collapse.

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