(Newswire.net — April 10, 2022) — Home is an essential investment in a person’s life, and keeping it protected and maintaining its structure comes alongside this investment. Therefore, everyone prefers to buy home insurance.
Water damage can be a possible reason to claim this home insurance if your lifetime investment is damaged. Every year nearly 25% of the home insurance buyers claim insurance against water damage which is more than the claims made against theft and fire damage.
Many of these claims are often denied by the companies because home insurance never covers the claims for all kinds of water damage. Water damage that occurs unexpectedly and unexpectedly is covered by regular household insurance. Water damage caused due to negligence and lack of maintenance is not covered under standard home insurance.
When can you claim the water damage insurance?
You can only claim accidental water damages. “Burst pipe” is the most common accidental water damage cause. Some other cases in which insurance can be claimed are listed below-
- Sudden leakage through home appliances that use water, for example, washing machines, water heaters, dishwashers, refrigerators, etc., can cause water damage. If leakage has happened suddenly and is not a gradually developed one, you can claim the insurance. The claim will not include the repair or replacement of the leaking appliance.
- You can claim the water damage that occurs because of a fire accident. While letting out the fire, the use of water causes damage to the property, and therefore you can get a claim for the same under your homeowner’s insurance policy.
- Frozen pipes can also cause water damage in colder areas. When water gets frozen in the pipeline, it blocks the pipe and can burst due to pressure build-up. It will be considered sudden damage; therefore, can be claimed.
- Water damage due to a leaking roof is also an accidental case if it has not been caused due to lack of maintenance. In areas of San Diego – which is on the coast of the Pacific Ocean – a storm or hurricane can easily cause roof damage. Therefore, water damage in San Diego can be claimed.
- Potential mold development after water damage repair caused due to an internal source can also be claimed. Make sure mold development is not due to gradual water damage because, in such cases, insurance companies deny the claim.
What kind of water damage does not get covered under insurance?
- Damage due to negligence cannot be claimed. If there is a leak in your home appliances, rooftop, or pipes and you let the water cause damage, it will not be an accident. It will come under intentional claim.
- Lack of maintenance can also cause water damage. If you live in a colder area and don’t keep your heaters at an appropriate temperature, your pipes will burst due to freezing water. Your standard home insurance will not cover the water damage in such cases.
- Damage due to floods like water damage in San Diego does not fall under home insurance. The reason being, the damage was due to an external source. You can claim only damages due to internal sources like a leaking pipe. Flood insurance is available if you wish to claim such damages.
- Repairing or replacing the cause of water damage like a leaking water heater, is not involved in the home insurance. Water damage due to leaking water will be repaired, but the company will not repair or replace the appliance.
- Earthquakes can damage your water systems leading to water damage, but standard insurance does not cover it. Separate earthquake insurance is recommended for families living in earthquake-prone areas.
How to claim the insurance?
Once you find out the cause of damage, click the pictures of the damaged area and file a claim to the company. Insurance companies will assess the damage by sending their adjuster and proceed with the claim.
Prevention is better than cure!
Claiming insurance can be a cumbersome task; therefore, it’s better to prevent water damage San Diego through the following points-
- Always maintain your house drainage systems and water-related appliances.
- Keep up with repair needs and install leak sensors to detect accidental leakages.
- Drain your water heaters every six months to prevent sediment build-up.
- Replace old washing machines, dishwashers, and water heaters if needed.
- Always keep your heaters on if you live in cold areas.
- Get your drainage and toilet systems checked by professional plumbers.