The process of choosing a home insurance policy can get overwhelming. If you live in Southern California with a dry climate, often times you might not think about
water damage. It is important to note that in your home owners’ Insurance, water damage and flood damage are separate. When considering the coverage for water damage, you should look through all kinds of potential water damage that might occur in your home.
Does Your Home Insurance Cover Water Damage?
While most home insurance policies will cover you in the event of an incident, this doesn’t necessarily mean that your coverage will extend to all forms of water damage. Sudden water damage from a broken pipe is a common type of claim and is usually fully covered. But, what happens if you have a long term leak? This type of damage can be accumulating unseen inside your home and may not be covered. This means that homeowners have greater responsibility to repair any leaks as the insurer would consider this as a maintenance issue.
Another aspect of water damage in your home is mold damage. Mold is often seen as a result of water damage or plumbing issues. Affected areas require specialist attention immediately to prevent serious illness. Mold exposure can cause respiratory health issues including coughs, bronchitis, asthma. Unfortunately, mold is rarely covered under standard home insurance policies. Regardless of the damage, before an insurance company will cover the cost of any repairs, the homeowner is likely to need to prove the damage was caused by sudden and incidental breaks or bursts.
In reviewing your Homeowners’ Insurance Policy, look out for the details about what the water damage coverage includes. Find out if the policy will cover all repairs caused by the water damage, including replacement or repair costs of personal belongings, electronics, appliances, and of course the damaged areas of the house.
Get it Checked
If you are concerned about whether your home is vulnerable to water or plumbing damage, it is worth having it checked. This is particularly important if you have noticed any signs which may indicate a leak or damaged pipe. A
reputable, experienced professional plumber will be able to assess your plumbing system and main water line and determine if there are any underlying issues or problems.
By Giovanni Longo President Flood Brothers Plumbing
Giovanni Longo is a 3rd generation master plumber who has been practicing his craft and trade in the greater Los Angeles area for well over a decade and a half. A plumbing and hydraulics-engineering innovator, Giovanni’s particular world-class expertise focuses on dealing with challenging sewer system designs as well as resolving complex commercial and residential draining issues. As a certified Flood Mitigation expert, he is also well versed in a wide variety of water damage and remediation solutions.
