Will my homeowner’s insurance cover water damage?
In Louisiana, your basic homeowners insurance policy may cover some water damage incidents- but not others.
It depends on what caused the water damage: interior water damage caused by a burst pipe is covered, while damage caused by neglect or lack of maintenance, as well as flood damage, is usually not covered.
For most people, what is and isn’t covered by your Louisiana water damage insurance policy- isn’t always clear.
Most water damage is covered by your standard home insurance policy if it occurs suddenly, accidentally and internally. This means that the water damage had to be caused by one of the 16 risks covered by most homeowner's insurance policies, such as the abrupt and accidental tearing, cracking, burning, or bulging of steam, heating, air conditioning, or automatic fire prevention system.
Most of these events are likely to be covered by your insurance policy: *Depending upon your specific insurance company and policy.
- Stormy weather, whether rain or snow
- Burst pipes, frozen pipes, defective pipes, and unintentional overflows are all examples of plumbing problems.
- Putting out a fire causes water damage.
- Roof leaks (coverage would apply only to the home interior, not the roof itself)
- An appliance or fixture overflows accidentally (toilet, washing machine, bathtub)
- Vandalism
- Fungus (only as a result of covered water damage)
What kind of water damage will NOT be covered?
If your specific water damage incident wasn’t “sudden & accidental,” your homeowner's insurance may not cover it. As the homeowner, your insurance company expects you to perform basic, regular maintenance on your home that would hopefully avoid water damage.
And, if you fail to perfectly maintain your property, your insurance provider is likely to deny your claim if it falls within the following conditions due to what they consider “homeowner neglect.” These events are not typically covered under your standard homeowner’s policy:
- Flooding
- Ground water seepage
- Water or sewer system backup
- Leaks caused by poorly maintained pipes
- Water damage caused by a flood
What if water damage causes mold?
If not dried thoroughly within 24-48 hours of a water leak, mold can begin to develop. And unfortunately, mold is rarely a covered event under your standard insurance policy. But there may be hope.
When will my policy cover mold?
If mold has already developed, and was a consequence of the originating water damage, it may be covered under what is called a “shared risk.” For example, if mold develops as a result of an AC system leak or a burst pipe, the mold remediation may be absorbed by- or covered by your water damage policy. Most homeowners can purchase additional mold coverage if they are fearful of mold. Again, your mileage may vary- so check with your insurance provider and familiarize yourself with your policy. It may save you lots of money in the end!
If you’ve experience a flood event or water damage in your Louisiana home or business, you’ll want experienced professionals on your side. DryMax Restoration has provided Louisiana residents with unmatched professional water damage restoration and cleanup for years. Need help now? Call us at 337-857-3670.
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