Water damage can “total” a home. Water damage from leaks in the roof, flooding, or bursting pipes can cause thousands upon thousands of dollars of damage. The one challenge is knowing what your home is protected for and what it is not. The main challenge is to protect your home from ever having water damage. Below is a breakdown of ways to prevent water damage to your home as well as what you may not be covered for.
Water Related Damages Your Home Is Not Protected For
“I have homeowners insurance, so it is all protected” No it is not. It is protected for the items detailed in the coverage. Typically a home is not covered for the following without an additional coverage plan.
- Flood Water Damage: Flood damage is usually not covered by standard homeowners insurance. To guard against flood-related damages, you might need to get a separate flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurer if your house is in a flood-prone area.
- Long-Term Leaks & Water Damage: Unexpected and unintentional events are covered by homeowners insurance. Seepage or long-term leaks that cause gradual water damage might not be covered. Leaks must be found and fixed immediately to avoid more damage and possible coverage denials.
- Sewer Backup: A typical policy might not cover damage from sump pump failures or sewer backups. Homeowners should consider getting a separate water backup and sump pump overflow coverage or adding a sewer backup endorsement to guard against these risks.
- Groundwater Seepage: Water damage resulting from hydrostatic pressure, rising water tables, or seepage of groundwater may not be covered. Ensuring adequate drainage and waterproofing basements can help lower the likelihood of this kind of damage.
- Water Damage Through Negligence: Insurance coverage might be rejected if water damage results from carelessness or poor maintenance. Regular home maintenance is necessary to avoid potential coverage gaps. This includes mending plumbing problems, fixing leaky roofs, and maintaining the property’s structural integrity.
- Mold Damage: While policies sometimes cover mold damage to a limited extent, it might not be included if the mold develops as a result of a preventable water source, like a leak that was ignored for too long. In order to stop mold from growing, proper ventilation and moisture control are essential.
5 Ways To Prevent Water Damage To Your Home
Preventing water damage from occurring in the first place is vital to preserving the value of your home.
- Regular Maintenance: Maintaining your home by inspecting the roof as well as pipes can help prevent damage caused by water.
- Install A Backwater Prevention Valve: To stop backwater coming in from the sewer you can install a valve that stops the sewer system and sewer drain line connection to your home.
- Seal Your Home: Make sure your home is sealed. Keep water from coming in the windows, your roof or from your pipes by making sure they are all sealed.
- Install A Water Leak Detection System: This system can sense an increase in moisture levels within your home.
- Insulate Your Pipes To Prevent Freezing: In the cold winter months, your pipes can freeze. This can lead to bursting pipes and major water damage to your home. Thaw your frozen pipes and prevent them from ever freezing in the first place.
Contact Strickler Insurance To Protect Your Home From Water Damage
At Strickler Insurance, we provide guidance in what types of insurance coverage you and your home needs. Contact us today.
