If your ceiling suffered water damage, your insurance will most likely cover the repair costs. This is only if the cause was deemed accidental and sudden. A good example of a situation that can be covered are leaking or busted pipes that drenched drywalls.
What Are the Limitations?
As a policyholder, it’s important to know that not all kinds of water damage are covered by your home insurance. Here are some examples.
Water Damages from Maintenance Issues: For example, an insurance company will not cover damages that resulted from unresolved issues with the maintenance. This includes plumbing works and leaky faucets.
Repair or Replacement of the Water Damage Source: Your policy will cover the repair of your walls or the cost of your floors. However, they are less likely to pay for your dishwasher or washing machine if they caused the water damages.
Damages Caused by Sewer Backup: In the event of a water or a sewer backup, your policy does not cover it. This is if you did not specifically ask them to add this coverage to your policy. Most insurance companies offer additional coverage for sewer and water backup. You just have to talk to your agent about it.
Flooding: Floods can be caused by storms, overflowing of bodies of water and many more. It’s easy to assume that this is automatically covered by standard home insurance. However, it comes as an additional coverage just like sewer backup insurance. You can ask your questions about being covered to the National Flood Insurance Program.
How Can I Prevent Water Damage?
Prevention is always the best practice if you want to keep yourself out of a wet situation at home. To give you an idea, here are some suggestions.
· Regularly check the hoses that goes to your washing machine, heater, refrigerator and dishwasher. Perform maintenance and replace worn-out parts if needed.
· Take care never to crimp a hose and check if they’re not lose when you move your dishwater, refrigerator or washing machine.
· Water heaters should be drained at least twice a year to avoid sediment from building up.
· Maintain heat within the house to prevent pipes from being frozen. You can also try to insulate them or let warm air touch them.
· Check the shut-off valve regularly and replace at least once every three years.
It’s important to be smart and check with your insurance agent whether or not your home is covered in the event of water damage. At Valencia Insurance, we take pride in making sure our clients are well protected at prices they can afford. To learn more about how we can help you please contact our agency at (772) 344-8899 or Click Here to request a free quote.