Does Home Insurance Cover Water Damage?

Sudden and accidental water damage inside the house is the core of the coverage: a burst pipe, a toilet overflow, a broken washing machine hose. The Texas Department of Insurance also says mold that grows on a covered, damaged item is covered. Which policy form you hold changes the details, so the policy wording and the adjuster decide.

Gradual leaks and seepage are left out, and so is mold that comes from them. Flood is the other big exclusion, and a flood-caused mold claim fails with it. Sewer or drain backup is commonly covered only when an endorsement was added to the policy, so check for one before a backup happens.

Sewage cleanup

A National Flood Insurance Program policy usually starts 30 days after purchase, so buying one when the storm is already forecast is too late. For a home the program's limits are $250,000 for the building and $100,000 for contents, and contents are not included unless the policy says so. A private flood policy is the other route. Check FloodSmart or an agent for current terms.

Flood damage restoration

Renters insurance covers belongings for sudden covered causes but not flood unless a flood policy was added. A home warranty is a different product from insurance, so ask the provider whether its terms pay for water damage, since they vary. A landlord's policy covers the building and not a tenant's belongings.

Photos of each room and the source of the water before anything is moved, daily moisture readings, an equipment log and a list of removed materials with measurements. These are the documents an adjuster asks for, and they are kept whether or not a claim is filed. The crew does not tell an owner what the policy covers; the adjuster does.

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