Water Damage Insurance Claim - 5 Tips For Filing A Claim With Insurance Company - Learn More

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After enduring freezing temperatures in Horry County in March this year, most of us know and understand how typical water damage is for homeowners. Yup, extreme winter weather in South Carolina and around the country can result in snow and frost, leading to frozen and burst pipes. In fact, according to the Insurance Information Institute, about one in 50 homes file a water damage insurance claim every year.

Although this information makes us feel less alone in dealing with water damage to our homes, what would help us feel better is knowing with 100% certainty that your water damage insurance claim will be approved. None of us need to be spending our hard-earned savings on household plumbing repairs, especially since we have homeowners insurance.

Luckily, most home insurance policies cover water leak damage, but there are some exceptions. It’s crucial to know the particulars of your policy and exactly what it covers. This post looks at what insurers generally cover and tips for filing a water damage insurance claim to help you understand the insurance claim process.

What Water Damage is not Covered by Insurance?

The type of policy you have will determine whether your specific water damage issue is covered. Most home or renter insurance policies cover water damage, but it will depend on the water damage source and whether the water issue was sudden or gradual. Gradual water damage is usually not included because this would mean that it was not an accidental or sudden issue that caused the disaster.

What is gradual water damage? It’s water damage that happens slowly over time, implying that you have not adequately maintained your water supply or plumbing. Examples of gradual deterioration include mold, rot, corrosion, deteriorating electrical wiring, leaking plumbing over time that damages walls and floors, cracks in the foundation or exterior of your home causing water seepage, general lack of home repairs, and damaged parts on the roof.

Regularly repairing and maintaining your home ensures your home is always in tip-top shape and not about to worsen and fall apart. If this is not part of your homeowner list of priorities, it’s time you made it one. It’s vital, as a homeowner, to create a regular maintenance schedule, especially for those top-priority parts of your home, like plumbing.

Tips for Filing a Water Damage Insurance Claim

1. Alert your insurer
2. Document the damage
3. Set aside damaged items
4. Find a suitable vendor
5. The negotiation process