by Insurance Maze » Mon Nov 05, 2007 01:31 pm
Water leakage is a problem and one that is not covered under homeowners insurance. So, the best thing one can do is to be cautious and keep a regular check. Homeowners insurance would typically refuse any claim related to water leakage over a period of time. It would be categorized under negligence. However, under certain special circumstances, your insurer may provide coverage against damage from a water leak.
Does homeowners insurance cover water damage?
Yes, it does but very specific types. Homeowners insurance would not cover damages from flood. Flood insurance is a separate policy that you need to purchase. It would also not cover damage caused by a leaking pipe in your home, but would cover damage from rain getting inside the house through a hole in the roof or a broken window if the hole or the broken window was a result of a storm or extreme weather conditions. If the water damage was due to your negligence, home insurance would not cover it. If you do not know what kind of water damage is covered by your insurance company, go through your policy papers for details.
If there are damages from a storm in your house make sure you dry all the wet areas after the storm has passed away. Provide air circulation to the wet areas cover them with tar if possible to prevent further damage. This will help minimize the possibility of mould growing in your home.
If there are damages from a storm in your house make sure you dry all the wet areas after the storm has passed away. Provide air circulation to the wet areas cover them with tar if possible to prevent further damage. This will help minimize the possibility of mould growing in your home.
What duty do you have as a homeowner?
It is your duty to keep a check on all fixtures in your home. See to it that they are all maintained well. If there has been any water damage make sure you remedy it as soon as possible. Even a small leakage can lead to mould that would further damage your property. It also causes health hazards like asthma, sinusitis and bronchitis.
Mould damage may be covered but only if it was caused by a leak that grew due to a storm. If your house has built up mould, make sure you get it cleaned professionally. Amateurs may cause it to spread the spores more.
Insurance companies investigate before they can give the policyholders their money for the loss. Adjusters inspect the areas where the damage occurred and they do find out if the leakage had been for over a period of time or if it had been a sudden outburst. So, it is no use lying to the insurance company. Being honest is the only option open to you.
Mould damage may be covered but only if it was caused by a leak that grew due to a storm. If your house has built up mould, make sure you get it cleaned professionally. Amateurs may cause it to spread the spores more.
Insurance companies investigate before they can give the policyholders their money for the loss. Adjusters inspect the areas where the damage occurred and they do find out if the leakage had been for over a period of time or if it had been a sudden outburst. So, it is no use lying to the insurance company. Being honest is the only option open to you.
I have a rather unusual situation with a client and a well-known preferred home insurance carrier. What do you think?
One day the insured came home and for whatever reason he leaned against the bathroom wall and it suddenly collapsed.
The sheetrock was soaked and so was the insulation inside the wall and mold and mildew was everywhere. There was a small pin-hole leak in a water pipe that obviously had been leaking for quite some time.
The insured called the insurance company to report the incident, a claim was filed and an adjustor came to look at the damage.
The claim was denied by the insurance company because the standard HO-3 homeowners' policy specifically "Excludes" a loss as the result of a water leak over an extended period of time.
If this had been a sudden erruption of a water line, a leaking dishwasher, or a leaking fill line to the ice-maker, it would have been covered. Because this leak had been "over an extended period of time" it was not covered.
So, are we to lean against all of our walls everyday just to see if we might have a water leak?
One day the insured came home and for whatever reason he leaned against the bathroom wall and it suddenly collapsed.
The sheetrock was soaked and so was the insulation inside the wall and mold and mildew was everywhere. There was a small pin-hole leak in a water pipe that obviously had been leaking for quite some time.
The insured called the insurance company to report the incident, a claim was filed and an adjustor came to look at the damage.
The claim was denied by the insurance company because the standard HO-3 homeowners' policy specifically "Excludes" a loss as the result of a water leak over an extended period of time.
If this had been a sudden erruption of a water line, a leaking dishwasher, or a leaking fill line to the ice-maker, it would have been covered. Because this leak had been "over an extended period of time" it was not covered.
So, are we to lean against all of our walls everyday just to see if we might have a water leak?
Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 05:10 pm Post Subject: water damage/broken pipe
pipe broke extensive damage. insurere says that it was pre-existing. pipe broke how can that be pre-existing?
Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 11:48 am Post Subject:
pipe broke how can that be pre-existing?
It can't...only thing I can think of..is if had been leaking for some time 'then' broke...ok...was there evidence of this?Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 02:22 am Post Subject: water leak
I appear to have an intermittent water leak. I noticed damage to 1st floor ceiling 3 weeks ago. Contractor(s) has been out, cut holes in 2 rooms but can't find the leak, although they did find mold on the joists between the floors. Insurance company states they won't pay because it is a leak and not a break. I am looking at having to gut a bathroom to find this. Also I have a water rider because of hydrant in yard...still doesn't cover. Why? Any suggestions?
Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 06:13 pm Post Subject:
It would be helpful for us to know 'which' HO policy you have...HO-what? Also would be helpful to know exactly what this 'water rider' says...particularly the 'exclusion' portion...All HO policys I've seen state that they SUDDEN and accident losses..typically the exclusion will say something like,
"we do NOT cover--continuous or repeated seepage or leakage of water or steam over a period of fourteen days or more. If this exclusion applies, no part of the loss is covered even though it may have occurred prior to the fourteenth day of the seepage or leakage"
it may not have a time line..some do some don't.Have they inspected your home? If they have denied your claim..they HAVE to do so in writing..in this letter they should've quoted the portion of your policy that has caused them to deny the claim. So what does the letter say?
Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 03:06 am Post Subject: drain leak
if a problem was fixed before and broke in another place and didnt see it for a period of time or when it is too late and now studs and sill plate is rotten and kitchen cabinets are water loged will insurance cover it also
Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 01:07 pm Post Subject: Water damage 40 years worth on a rental property
Have been renting for the past 20 years, 18 years ago where I rent at the kitchen floor and the cabinets along the back wall collasped, I contacted the homeowner(landlord) and informed them of this and they told me to contact their insurance company and file a claim. I contaced them and they came down with their adjuster and inspector and I was informed that the water damage was forty years worth of wood rot and homeowner negligents. Well to make a long story short the homeowner has refused to fix this damages and I was wondering who is responsible for this mess me or the landlord. The landlord is wanting to hand over the house to me and my husband and this repair has not been fixed. We have gotten estimates on this only to be told that it is going to cost around $10,000 to fix this. We informed the howneowner of this and they still refuse to fix it, however, the homeowner recently remoldeld their own home where they live at. Who is liable for the water damage. :?:
Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 10:53 am Post Subject:
cajunbuddha - very doubtful.
I was wondering who is responsible for this mess me or the landlord
The landlord or course!The landlord is wanting to hand over the house to me and my husband and this repair has not been fixed. We have gotten estimates on this only to be told that it is going to cost around $10,000 to fix this. We informed the howneowner of this and they still refuse to fix it, however, the homeowner recently remoldeld their own home where they live at. Who is liable for the water damage
I'd say the deal is off then unless the landlord is willing to reduce the sale price of the house by 10k....it the landlords problem..not for any personal property you lost but for ALL the damages to the dwelling.Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 12:49 pm Post Subject: water leak damage on a home
reported a claim to my homeowners insurance regarding a water leak in our rental home, and CSE denied claim but their adjuster did not even inspect inside the house, did not do moisture check, they just automatically turned our claim. then we had a independent contractor check on the prperty, water disseminated on the kitchen floor.
Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 10:51 am Post Subject:
liza, they may not have needed to inspect it if they already knew the source of the water and your policy didn't cover it.
If they denied the claim they HAVE to do so in writing. So what does the letter say the reason for the denial is?
Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 11:14 pm Post Subject: condo water damage
water pipe burst in my condo causing serious damage in condo below. my insurance company refused to pay for my neighbor's damage. I have personal liability insurance but they said that it wasn't my fault. Now owner of the condo below decided to sue me. Any advice what should I do?
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