Water damage insurance
Precipitation or tap water sometimes cause water damage to your home. Fortunately, your home contents or building insurance often covers this. Water damage due to negligence, overdue maintenance and disasters is not covered.
Compare household insurance policiesContents versus home insurance
You are insured against water damage in 2 ways: with contents and home insurance.
- Contents insurance covers all the things you can move. These include your bed, TV, couch and desk. There are different types of contents insurance. Depending on the coverage you choose, you are insured up to a certain amount. It's good to know how much your belongings are worth. Usually, contents are insured based on new-for-old value.
- In addition to damage to your belongings, you can also have water damage to your home. For example, in case of leakage. For this there is another insurance, namely the building insurance. This covers damage to the ceiling or walls, among other things.
Sometimes you need both insurances. For example, in case of leakage. Don't have these insurances yet? Compare them carefully and see which one suits you best.
Contents and water damage
Water damage to your household contents can cause high costs. What water damage your contents insurance covers depends on several factors. Usually sudden damage is covered by contents insurance.
Think of a leak or heavy rainfall. This is only unforeseen damage. Damage due to overdue maintenance is not covered under this coverage.
The 3 categories of water damage
Insurers usually distinguish between:
1
Water damage caused by precipitation
Precipitation such as rain, hail or snow can cause a lot of damage. Situations where precipitation causes damage to items in your home are covered if they could not have been prevented.
For example, do you leave a window open during heavy rain and damage occurs as a result? Then your contents insurance will not cover that water damage.
2
Water damage caused by indirect precipitation
Indirect precipitation is water that enters your home unexpectedly due to the overflowing of ditches, canals and quays due to heavy rain. Home contents insurance with extra comprehensive hazard insurance or All risk home contents insurance usually covers this damage.
Damage caused by a breach of dikes or flooding of rivers or the sea is always excluded from coverage.
3
Damage caused by tap water
Damage caused by tap water is often compensated through home contents or building insurance. For example, water damage caused by water from central heating, water pipes or connected systems.
It applies only to unexpected situations that you could not prevent. Water damage due to overdue maintenance is never covered.
This does not cover contents insurance in case of water damage
Overdue maintenance
Water damage due to overdue maintenance is usually not insured, because you could have prevented it yourself, such as by repairing worn sealants and joints.
Negligence
Water damage due to negligence, such as leaving a sliding door or skylight open during a rainstorm, is also not covered.
Flooding
Flood damage is not covered. This often raises questions because there is nothing you can do about it. It has nothing to do with overdue maintenance or negligence, but falls under catastrophe risk.
Water damage caused by leakage
Insurers pay compensation if the leakage was caused by an unforeseen circumstance. Furthermore, it then depends on which insurance policy you have and what the maximum amount the insurer will pay out in the event of a leak.
Insurers differ greatly on this among themselves. Want to know what the insurer will cover/pay in the event of a leak? Then always check your policy.
Water damage laminate
Water damage to laminate is common. This can happen because of a broken pipe, a leaking washing machine or sewage coming up through the toilet. Your insurer will usually do a small investigation. Based on this investigation, it will be determined whether you will receive compensation.
If damage is caused by unexpected circumstances, there is a good chance that you will be reimbursed for the damage. However, always check your policy to see if this is the case.
Investigation at claim insurance water damage
Are you filing a water damage claim? Then the insurer will sometimes send an expert to you. He or she will investigate the damage and make a report.
Does the insurer then reject your claim? Then hire an independent expert. Even if no expert has come by, hiring one yourself is wise.
Tips on investigating water damage
Try to get off the water as quickly as possible. Also, take pictures of the damage right away. These photos are important evidence for your compensation claim. Take measures to limit the damage.
Address the cause immediately (where is the water coming from) and secure your belongings. Are you insured through Alpina? Report the damage online or by phone.
Water damage car
Water damage affects not only houses, but also cars. Do you have third-party insurance? Then you pay for the water damage yourself. Damage caused by heavy rain or flooding, for example, can be covered by a WA + limited casco car insurance policy or an all-risk insurance policy. Check your policy to see what is covered. Need help? Then ask your advisor for advice.
Compensation in the event of a major (natural) disaster
A catastrophe means a major disaster. In this type of disaster, the insurer does not have enough money to pay for all the damage. Often many customers of the insurer have a lot of damage at the same time.
In these situations, the government often helps (partially). You can then use the Wet Tegemoetkoming Schade (WTS).
Water damage prevention tips
Reduce the risk of water damage with the following tips:
Check and clean the gutter regularly
Close skylights when you're not there
Use a drip tray under the washing machine
Shut off outdoor faucets in the winter
Have your central heating boiler serviced regularly
Check sealants in kitchen, shower and toilet
Compare insurance and coverage
Many insurers offer contents insurance. Each insurer has different coverages. Therefore, you cannot simply compare all providers and their products. In their terms and conditions and clauses, insurers specify what exactly is covered.
Are you comparing different providers through our website? Then pay attention to the possible differences in coverage. You can also always call our staff for more information.
Frequently asked questions about water damage insurance
How can I claim water damage from my insurance company?
Report the damage to your insurer as soon as possible, usually within 24 to 48 hours. Take clear pictures of the damage, note what was damaged and keep any receipts. Then fill out the claim form. In some cases, the insurer will send an expert to assess the damage.
Is water damage from rain or flooding insured?
Water damage from rain is usually covered, such as when rainwater comes in through the roof or windows. However, flood damage is often excluded unless you have additional coverage. Always check the policy terms to know what is and is not covered under your water damage insurance.
Does standard contents insurance cover water damage?
Yes, standard contents insurance usually covers water damage to your belongings within your home, such as from a leak or broken washing machine. Damage from flooding or overdue maintenance is usually excluded. Check your policy for exact coverage.
What does water damage insurance cost on average?
The cost depends on where you live, type of home and the coverage you choose. On average, you pay between €5 and €15 per month for contents insurance. Home insurance often costs a little more. Water damage is usually included, but additional coverage for flooding, for example, may increase the premium.
Do I need additional insurance for water damage due to leakage?
Water damage caused by leakage is usually covered by standard contents or building insurance. However, damage due to structural defects or overdue maintenance is often excluded. So extra coverage is not always necessary, but proper maintenance and clear policy terms are essential.
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