Is water damage covered by home insurance?

Even though roof leaks are covered by insurance, it’s important to take steps to minimize water damage. Address the cause immediately (where is the water coming from?) and move your belongings to a safe place. In addition, you should report the damage to your insurer as soon as possible, and to ensure you receive the correct amount of compensation, it’s a good idea to take photos or videos of the damage.

Any repair costs for the roof or gutter arenotcovered by home insurance.

In half of all cases, leaks are caused by sealant joints in the shower that are no longer watertight. It’s therefore important to check and touch up your sealant joints regularly, especially since damage resulting from neglected maintenance isn’t covered by insurance. You can recognize this type of leak by water droplets hanging from the ceiling after someone has taken a shower, and the problem doesn’t get worse when you let the water from the showerhead flow directly down the drain. If the leak does get worse, then your drainpipe is broken.

If you’re constantly experiencing leaks from the shower—not just after showering—then your supply line is likely broken. If a supply or drain line is broken, you must immediately turn off the main valve and call a plumber. Damage caused by a broken supply or drain line will be covered by your home contents or home insurance.

If there is a roof above the leak, it is most likely the cause of the leak. Leaks are particularly common on flat roofs. The freeze-thaw cycle causes cracks to form in the roofing material, allowing water to seep in. Another common cause of leaks in a (flat) roof is a faulty drainpipe. If it isn’t functioning properly, water will pool. So, in the event of water damage from the roof, it’s important to check whether your drainpipes or gutters are clogged. Other major causes of leaks include holes in the roof flashing and various defects in the chimney.

If you don't have building insurance, your contents insurance may still cover water damage. For more information, read our article:Water Damage and Contents Insurance.

Do you have a leak in your home? Insurance companies can vary quite a bit in terms of coverage for leaks. It’s a good idea to carefully compare the terms and conditions of different home insurance policies. Want to know what your home insurance covers in the event of a leak? Then check the policy terms and conditions.

A leak in your home can cause a lot of inconvenience and (unexpected) costs. If you don’t notice the leak until days (or weeks) later—for example, after a vacation—the leak may have already caused significant water damage in your home. If you discover water in your home, it’s wise to shut off the water supply immediately by turning off the main valve. This valve is located where the water main enters your home, usually in the utility closet or in the basement.

Are you insured through Alpina? You canfile a claim onlineor contact us by phone.

Want to know what else a home insurance policy covers?Click here for more information.