What type of water damage does my home insurance policy cover me for?  Author:Foster Carr Website:http://www.kwik-fitinsurance.com Added: Sun, 12 Jul 2009 09:35:00 -0500
Category: Insurance
Although you might have thought that any type of water damage would be covered by your insurance policy, this is not often the case. Insurers will only commonly pay out for certain types of damages caused by water getting into your property.
Here is a handy guide to the circumstances in which an insurer will be likely pay out on a water damages claim, and also to the circumstances in which they are unlikely to pay out.
The majority of home owners insurance policies will not pay out in the event that the property is damaged due to a flood, but they will cover other types of water damage. For instance, they will generally pay for any water damage caused by a roof which becomes leaky, due to the breaking of a window or the blowing off of tiles during a thunderstorm or other extreme weather conditions.
If you sustain water damage due to a lack of essential maintenance, for example if a pipe in your property is leaking, causing damage over time, then you will not be entitled to claim, as most policies specify that it is the responsibility of the homeowner to keep the property wind and water tight, and all the plumbing and fixtures maintained.
If you suspect water damage, you should investigate immediately, as damp surfaces can cause mould to grow, causing further property damage and breathing problems for the occupants of the house.
If, however, the mould was caused by damage sustained during a storm, or another covered peril, then you may be able to claim for it as long as you have not left it too long.
If you discover water damage only after it has been developing for a long time, you will most likely not be covered by your insurer, who assume a certain level of vigilance on the part of their customers.
If mould has built up, it is important to get it cleaned by trained professionals. Cleaning up mould in the wrong way can lead to the spreading of the mould spores, which can cause further damage to your property and is hazardous to the health of everyone who lives in the property.
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