Water damage coverage on your homeowners insurance policy can become a problem if you don't understa...

1. Homeowners Water Damage Coverage: Determining Damage
Not Caused by a Flood - Yahoo Voices
Water damage coverage on your homeowners insurance policy can become a problem if you don't
understand the differences about what exactly causes water damage in your home. If you have a
homeowners policy, you have to immediately understand that if you live in a flood-prone area, your
policy won't cover damage. You'll need a separate flood insurance policy if you want to be
thoroughly covered.
But this doesn't mean your homeowners insurance is useless when it comes to water damage. When
certain water damage occurs in your home, you'll still have plenty of coverage. It just has to be
something that isn't due to your own neglect.
Bursting Water Pipes
This common water damage scenario will be covered, though only if it's after you took prior
precautions. Sometimes water pipes can burst even after being wrapped for the winter and during
very severe deep freezes. However, if you failed to wrap your pipes for the winter, your homeowners
policy may refuse to compensate you for any water damage incurred.
It might be worth your while to update your plumbing system if you have the funds. Particularly
when building a new home, new water pipes will make your homeowners insurance premiums much
lower.
Leaking Appliances
The same thing applies to your kitchen or
utility room appliances leaking and causing
water damage to your floor. If you've done
everything to provide maintenance for your
refrigerator, dishwasher or washing machine,
then it's not your fault when something
happens to make them start leaking. Your
homeowners insurance will scope out whether
negligence was involved before they pay for
water damage caused by either appliance.
Roof Leaks
Water damage from roof leaks can be very severe and costly. Your homeowners insurance will cover
damages in this scenario, especially if it was worsened by hail or a falling tree on your house.
Regardless, failing to provide sealant for your roof during the year will mean you were negligent in
preventing the leak. In that scenario, you won't be covered either.
Other Water Damage Not Covered

2. While not all policies are alike, damage from a leaking sewer line in your area might not be covered.
This doesn't mean that some policies won't allow you to add coverage as an extra cost. The same
applies to seepage from ground water. Particularly when that ground water affects your home's
foundation, homeowners insurance will consider this a personal maintenance issue. In fact, it's a
challenge to get any house foundation issues covered through your homeowners insurance due to
the existing high risk.
Exceptions to Flood Damage
According to the Insurance Information Network of California, your homeowners insurance will
cover any theft you might have in your home due to flood damage. While this might sound strange,
the chances are always there of looters raiding your home after you leave your home during a flood.
If you have a separate flood insurance policy, you're already covered for the flood damage. The
better news is your homeowners insurance can sometimes complement other insurance in ways that
are unexpected. Being compensated for loss due to looting shows you the benefit of mixing and
matching insurance policies.
While you're going to find differing coverage details in every state, going through an independent
insurance agency will help you be able to choose from a multitude of different homeowners
insurance policies. Talk with them and they can tell you more about what water damage typically
gets covered and what doesn't. An astute insurance agency will also help you match up with other
policies to give you the best comprehensive coverage your money can buy.