Does Insurance Cover Water Damage From A Rain Storm? It’s a great question with no one clear answer. Why?
According to researchers at Flood Factor, there are nearly 366,000 properties in Michigan with a greater than 26% chance of being severely affected by flooding over the next 30 years. This represents 8% of all properties in the state. And every situation is unique. That’s why many homeowners ask us, especially at this time of year, whether insurance covers water damage from a rainstorm.
One thing is for sure: there is no shortage of weather-related damage reports. Researchers at the Insurance Information Institute tell us that about one in 50 claims made by homeowners is tied to water damage or freezing. And the experts at the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services can back it up.
A standard policy generally covers water damage resulting from rain if water enters your home from wind damage. So, what situations aren’t covered? And are there ways to minimize your risk this summer?
Let’s find out.
Water Damage Covered By a Standard Home Insurance Cover
A typical insurance policy covers internal or accidental water damages provided the water is not groundwater or water that overflows from a pond, stream, river, or lake and comes in contact from outside the home.
Typically, policies cover water damage that results from a direct peril covered by the homeowners’ insurance—these include;
- Hail or wind damage that causes leaky roofs
- Accidental overflow of an appliance or fixture
- Water damage from an attempt to extinguish a fire
- A plumbing pipe bursts
- Vandalism
- Snow or rainstorm
- Home damages as a result of weight of rain, ice dam, roof leaks, snow, leading to roof collapse
This is an issue that is not going away. In fact, the National Severe Storm Laboratory of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates that there are approximately 100,000 thunderstorms in the United States annually and that 10% of them are severe enough to damage homes. This is why it’s so important not just to have insurance, but to have the right insurance policy to protect your home from whatever Mother Nature throws at it.
Water Damage Not Covered By a Standard Home Insurance Cover
While homeowners’ insurance may cover some water damage, there are other instances that standard policies cover on a limited basis or do not cover at all. These include:
- Water backups
- Flooding
- Neglect or unsolved maintenance issues
- Rain damage is allowed to develop over time
Suppose your insurer offers policies that cover any of these issues. In that case, oftentimes they will not offer to repair the item that leads to such damage. For example, if a neglected pipe bursts, they can cover the damage, but will not cover the cost of replacing the pipes.
Preventing Water Damage
With the limited coverage that some homeowners’ insurance policies offer, it is best to be proactive to keep your home and belongings protected. It includes the simplest things, such as power back-up for sump pumps and keeping your gutters clean all year long.
Preventing water damage also means adding essential items like:
- Adding gutter guards to your roof
- General upkeep for all your appliances, including showers, toilets, sinks, and dryers
- Regular service for your pipes, plumbing, and water heaters
- Sealing and caulking windows and doors
- Set up a water leak detection system
- Routinely check your home for any growth of mold or location of moisture
- Inspect your roof regularly
When it comes to getting reliable insurance coverage, it is best to have it before you require it. By reviewing and updating your policies, you can ensure that you are protected from water damage not covered by standard homeowners insurance policies.
Make smart homeowner insurance decisions to get the best policy that makes the most sense for your area and your budget.
Protect Your Home against All Water Damages
Water is a powerful force, so you need to get the right coverage for your home.
You can start by checking with your insurance agent. Your agent will help to ensure that you have adequate insurance coverage.
You’ll also want to explore any coverage gaps. While many forms of storm damage are covered by homeowners’ and renters’ insurance, flood damage is typically not, unless you have government flood insurance.
Water and sewer backup are also not covered by standard homeowners’ or renters’ policies. It is critical to explore your options when it comes to water and flood damage, well before a weather event occurs.
Having homeowners’ insurance is critical if your home is devastated by a flood or water damage. We have reliable insurance experts to help you with all your needs. Contact Autumn Insurance today.