Most homeowners insurance plans will cover the cost of restoration after water damage. But, as Jeremy Sessions of Springfield Restoration explains, whether the restoration is covered or not often depends on the source of the water.
The basic rule of thumb is that damage caused suddenly by an internal source will be covered. Damage caused by poor maintenance or from water originating outside the house will often not be covered. And flood damage will usually need to be covered though a separate flood insurance policy.
If your roof leaks during a heavy storm, for instance, that’s covered by most policies, as is damage from water used to extinguish a fire, overflowing appliances, vandalism, or burst pipes. If you have mold that grew as a result of water from any of these sources, that will also be covered.
What usually won’t be covered is ground seepage, or damage from leaky pipes that were not properly maintained. Sewage backups are usually covered but, depending on the policy, the coverage may be limited. Again, if it’s an issue of neglected maintenance, your insurance claim will likely be denied.
One thing you can do to improve your chances of having your claim covered is to find a restoration company that has a good working relationship with your insurer. Sessions points out, for instance, that many homeowners call Springfield when they’re still unsure about whether the damage to their home qualifies for coverage. The restoration company then contacts the insurance provider to see how much of the project will be covered before getting to work.
You can also simply call the insurance company first, and they can point you to one of their preferred restoration companies. But it’s often a good idea to have someone assess the damage and identify likely sources of the water first, so you can give the insurers an accurate description of what you’re dealing with. You’ll probably want to call the restoration company immediately upon discovering the damage anyway, because they may need to make sure no further damage is occurring. Limiting the damage is the best first step toward restoration.
