If you’ve ever found yourself standing ankle-deep in water wondering how on Earth your bathroom turned into a kiddie pool, you’re not alone. In fact, water damage is one of the most common reasons why homeowners file insurance claims.
Most homeowners insurance policies cover sudden and accidental water damage. That includes any damage done to your home’s structure, personal belongings, and other structures on the property.
But when an accident occurs—like a burst pipe or a leaking dishwasher—homeowners want to know exactly how much their insurance company is going to help them out.
If you ever find yourself in this stressful (but all too familiar) situation, there are some key things you should know in regard to home insurance and the things that it covers.
1. Your home insurance covers certain types of water damage
Flooding from storms requires separate flood insurance, but water damage caused by plumbing failures are the type of claims homeowners can file through their regular home insurance policy.
Apart from plumbing problems, common water damage claims include issues that happen during colder months such as frozen pipes and pipe bursts from improper insulation.
“Owners of older homes tend to file more claims due to dated building materials,” says Jason Metzger, senior vice president and head of underwriting and risk management at PURE Insurance. “For example, homes with rubber hoses and plastic connectors are at greater risk because these hoses can wear down over time, leak, and cause immense damage to the home.”
Steel braided water supply and metal connector lines are more resilient, Metzger says, “but even the highest-grade materials will wear over time, so replacing them at regular intervals is important.”
2. How to correctly file a claim
If your home experiences water damage, you’re going to be eager to file a claim with your insurance company.Most insurance companies have a 24/7 hotline to help members through the claims process and cleanup. But before contacting your insurance company, experts recommend immediately turning off the water at the source to avoid further damage.
“Contact your insurance company as soon as the damage is discovered as they may have preferred mitigation service providers who can assist in mitigating the damage,” says Metzger. “Take photographs and videos to document the damage.”
After reporting your claim, an adjuster will discuss the situation with the homeowner and make arrangements to assess the damage. Once the evaluation is complete, the adjuster will provide a written estimate of the cost to repair the damage, including labor and materials.
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3. How to get insurance to pay for water damage
Whether or not coverage can be applied to the damage in your home depends on the source of the damage. Refer to your specific homeowners insurance policy, and contact your insurance broker to see what your insurance company is going to pay for the repairs.
Negotiation for small claims may not be an issue, but larger projects can pose challenges in getting your insurance adjuster and contractor aligned, says Paul West, private risk adviser for Cavallo & Signoriello insurance agency.
“Here’s where your independent insurance agent can also be a resource,” says West. “If you don’t have the stomach for haggling over what constitutes like-kind replacement materials, ask your agent to play middleman. He or she has more experience with this process and probably knows how to frame the case you’re trying to make.”
4. Cost of water damage
The national average cost to repair water damage in a home is $1,200 to $5,000, with the average homeowner shelling out $3,000 for standard greywater extraction with drying and drywall and ceiling repairs in a bathroom, according to Fixr.com.
Water damage claims are also extremely common.
In 2021, about 50% of all claims made by homeowners covered by Metzger’s company were caused by water damage.
5. How homeowners can prevent water damage
Homeowners can lower their chances of having to deal with water damage if they take proactive measures in their home.
“Ensure your appliances are outfitted with high-quality, resilient materials and that all areas where water is transported are properly maintained and upgraded when necessary,” says Metzger.
Appliances such as your dishwasher and washing machine should be regularly serviced according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
One common type of water damage, roof leaks, can be avoided by regularly inspecting and cleaning your roof and clearing debris out of your gutters.
Bathroom leaks, another type of water damage, are typically caused by tree roots that have grown into the pipes. While an intrusion like that is hard to prevent, you can be proactive by not putting anything down the toilet or sink that doesn’t belong and by calling a plumber at the first sight of an issue.
It’s important to always turn off water systems while you’re away for extended periods of time, Metzger says, and to maintain an interior temperature of at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit during colder months (or a minimum of 50 degrees if you’re out for an extended period of time).
“Technology such as automatic water shut-off devices and water sensors, both of which can be monitored via a smartphone app, can help mitigate and even prevent water damage,” says Metzger.
