5 min read
Having renters insurance can be a major assistance in case anything goes wrong. Although it’s not legally required, some landlords require or prefer renters to be covered by insurance in case of property damage.
However, some tenants may ask: Does renters insurance cover water damage? Like many types of insurance, it depends. Here’s what you should know about your coverage if you spot signs of water damage on your rented property.
What Is Renters Insurance and What Does It Cover?
Renters insurance covers your personal belongings when renting a home, apartment, or other living space. It can help you pay for costs if your stuff gets damaged, stolen, or destroyed by fire, theft, water damage, or natural disasters. It may also protect you if someone gets hurt on your property or because of your property’s issues.
Coverage and how much you can get can vary depending on your policy, but most renters insurance packages cover:
- Personal belongings you own
- Property damage to neighboring homes if your unit caused the damage
- Living expenses in case your rented living space is uninhabitable
- Personal liability – injuries to others caused by your home
Some insurance packages have varying types and coverage limits. Check your policy or contact your provider for more information about your insurance coverage.
Does Renters Insurance Cover Water Damage?
Here’s where it gets tricky. Most renters insurance packages cover water damage, but only if the damage is sudden and accidental neglect. This means that renters insurance will cover water damage to your belongings in cases like:
- A burst pipe
- A sudden leak that spreads to other apartments
- Unexpected plumbing issues
- Mold caused by an unexpected water damage incident
What Water Damage Doesn’t Cover
If you have questions like “Does renters insurance cover water damage from rain or flood?” you should know that water damage coverage isn’t all-encompassing. Renters insurance doesn’t cover some instances of water damage. These include:
- Water damage to the property structure – your landlord’s insurance should cover this.
- Signs of wear and tear caused by water damage – this is water damage that isn’t sudden and accidental.
- A leak from an apartment building’s main water line affects your unit and then spreads to your neighbor’s unit – your unit isn’t responsible for the damage to the neighboring unit, so it’s not covered by your renters insurance.
- Water damage caused by floods – renters insurance typically doesn’t cover flood damage caused by flash floods, sewer backups, or faulty sump pumps. If you’d like to protect your belongings against floods, you must purchase additional coverage.
- Poor maintenance of your unit – here’s where it gets even trickier. For example, water damage caused by a leak could depend on whether you’ve reported the problem to your landlord and whether the landlord acted on it. In these cases, you should review your rental contract and know your rights as a tenant.
What To Do When Water Damage Occurs to Your Rental
If you’ve experienced water damage to your property, here’s the best way to minimize damage to your belongings and ensure your safety.
- Turn Off the Water: Shut off the main water valve to your house or apartment unit or the specific valve to the affected water source.
- Contact a Property Restoration Professional: Contacting a professional as soon as possible can help you salvage as much of your personal property as possible. Once you’ve notified and coordinated with your landlord, they can start the repairs and restoration in case the property isn’t inhabitable.
- Document the Damage: Take photos and videos to prove the water damage. This can help you communicate with your landlord and file a renters insurance claim.
- Contact Your Landlord: Inform your landlord about the water damage, preferably in writing. They will coordinate repairs and other details with you since their insurance should cover the structural damage and repairs.
- Contact Your Insurance Provider: Contact your insurance agent to start the claims process. They should provide you with the requirements needed to file your claim.
- Salvage Your Belongings: Move your affected belongings to a safe and dry area. Starting the drying process as soon as possible can prevent mold and irreversible water damage. You can receive assistance with the salvaging and documentation with a restoration technician.
- Seek Temporary Accommodations: Find temporary housing if the damage makes your living space uninhabitable. If your renters insurance doesn’t cover loss of use, contact your landlord, as they may be responsible for temporary housing, depending on your contract. Your insurance coverage may also provide you with a stipend for accommodations.
From there, you can work with your restoration technician, landlord, and insurance provider to restore your property.
Salvage Your Property With Restoration 1 of Suffolk County
Renters insurance safeguards you and your possessions from unexpected events like water damage. While it’s best to check your policy or contact your provider for clarification, most packages cover accidental leaks, burst pipes, and damage to your belongings. Unfortunately, not all cases of water damage are included, so it’s important to flag early signs of water damage caused by wear and tear with your landlord.
Restoration 1 is a full-service property restoration team. Whether you’re a tenant looking to salvage your belongings or a landlord who wants to restore your property, we can assist everyone to ensure your convenience and safety. Contact Restoration 1 of Suffolk County at (631) 237-8551 for emergency restoration needs.
