Does home insurance cover water damage? Here's what you should know

by Cheryl Cook 07/01/2024

Homeowners often wonder, “Does home insurance cover water damage?” Water damage comes in many forms and from many sources, but your standard homeowners insurance policy may not provide coverage for every type.

To help you better understand the limits of your homeowners insurance, here is a basic guide to the types of water damage your policy won’t cover:

Water damage from unresolved maintenance

Making sure your home appliances and systems are in good working condition is critical for insurance as well as their functionality. Your home insurance can help you pay to repair damages caused by the sudden failure of an appliance, but won’t cover you if the failure happened because of unresolved maintenance problems.

For example, if your floors are damaged because your dishwasher has been leaking for months, you wouldn’t be eligible for coverage.

Water damage from a flood

Floods can be catastrophic and happen for a variety of reasons. Storms, overflowing bodies of water and over-saturated ground can all lead to flooding and property damage. Unfortunately, regardless of why the flood happens, the damage will not be covered by your homeowners insurance.

You can purchase separate flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program to protect you in case of flood damage. Mortgage lenders often require proof of flood insurance when you’re purchasing a home in certain regions where flooding is prevalent.

Water damage from a sewer or drain backup

Most homeowners policies typically don’t include coverage for water damage caused by a sewer or drain backup. An outside water source backing up might cause serious damage to your floors or foundation, but you’ll likely need to purchase additional coverage to help with the repairs.

Home insurance can help you pay for many kinds of repairs to your home. However, it’s important to remember these types of water damage that require additional insurance policies.

About the Author
Author

Cheryl Cook

Hi, I'm CHERYL COOK and I'd love to assist you. Whether you're looking for advice and guidance to prepare your property for sale or in the research phase of your real estate search or you know exactly what you're looking for, you'll benefit from having a real estate professional by your side. I'd be honored to put my real estate experience to work for you.
I am a dedicated full-time Broker Associate with eXp Realty. I obtained my New Jersey Real Estate License in 2003 and mentored under seasoned Real Estate professionals who taught and inspired me with their experiences. As a member of the National, State, and North Central Jersey Association of REALTORS® I have achieved the Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®), and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designations as well as Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource (SFR®) certification. I specialize in residential sales in Somerset, Union, Middlesex and Essex Counties.
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