What Is Water Damage Insurance And How Much Does It Cost

9/9/2022 (Permalink)

We can handle any type of water damage.

Water damage coverage can be a complicated issue, but it is also one of the most important parts of any homeowners’ insurance policy.  When you consider that every year one in 50 homeowners will file a water damage claim, you can begin to understand why having the best possible coverage is so important.

So while everyone can agree that it is crucial for every homeowner to have some sort of coverage for water damage, the intricate part of the equation is determining exactly what a specific policy covers and how much is water damage insurance.  Costs can vary drastically from one company to another and depending on what specific type of coverage you opt to carry.

So what is water damage coverage on homeowners insurance?

In general, most homeowners’ policies cover damage that is considered “sudden and accidental”. This can include burst pipes, accidental leaks and water damage after a fire. This doesn’t include damage from floods or other natural disasters, however, which will require separate coverage.

Damage that occurs through neglect or from intentional acts like turning your water off for the winter will not be covered.  Even in the case of damage that is covered if your insurance company believes that the damage was made worse because you didn’t act quickly enough to mitigate it, they may refuse to cover it or cut back on the amount they pay out.

According to Forbes, the average cost of a water damage claim is $10,900  and with so many claims being filed each year, it’s easy to see why your insurance company might be hesitant to provide full payment on every claim. So the more you can do to help your case, the better your chances of getting significant reimbursement.