Homeowner’s Insurance and Water Damage

Homeowner’s insurance will cover you for some types of water damage and not for others. If a pipe suddenly bursts, or if a leak causes water damage to your home, is the water damage covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy? Generally, your homeowner’s insurance will cover you for any sudden, unexpected, and accidental pipe burst or leak. If a pipe breaks and water floods your home, you may be entitled to make a claim with your homeowner’s insurance policy.  However, many policies have the amount of water damage claims capped at a certain limit or may exclude water damage complete or require you to allow the insurance company to do the repairs.

If accidental or sudden overflow of water from a plumbing system or other pipe damages your home, this damage may also be covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy. However, things can get complicated. If a slow leak caused water damage and the leak wasn’t addressed right away, your homeowner’s insurance may not cover you for water damage.  There are several issues such as your mitigation efforts, the time in which you report the claim, whether the leak was long and repeated seepage and others that can impact coverage depending on your policy. Where things also can get complicated is when flooding is involved. If a storm damages your area and your home gets flooded, basic homeowner’s insurance may not cover you for flooding damage unless you have a rider or other additional coverage specific to floods. So, can you make a claim for water damage? It largely depends on your situation. Because water damage claims can often be complex, it may be wise to speak to a lawyer if your claim has been denied and you feel that the claim was wrongfully denied. Leader, Leader, & Zucker, P.L.L.C. are Fort Lauderdale, Florida insurance claims lawyers who may be able to help.

In the cases of a condominium where water damage can often seep into other units, the situation can be even more complex. If a leak stemming from your unit causes damage in another unit, who is responsible for mitigating the damage will depend on your building’s bylaws. In order to determine responsibility a lawyer may need to review the condominium documents to determine what the bylaws say.

If you are having trouble with a water damage claim, or believe that the settlement you have received is insufficient to cover repairs for your loss, Leader, Leader, & Zucker, P.L.L.C. is an insurance claims lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida who may be able to assist you with getting you the best possible claim under the law. Water damage coverage can be complicated for most homeowners to understand. This is where having a lawyer assist you with your claim can make a world of difference.

What Might Be Covered by Insurance if a Pipe Bursts or Water Heater Breaks?

 

In the event of sudden or accidental water damage, due to a broken pipe, a broken water heater, or overflow of sewage, your insurance may cover many different aspects of repair and cleanup. For example, your insurance may cover you to repair a wall that must be demolished to access a pipe. If drywall is damaged due to water damage, your insurance company may be able to reimburse you for the costs of mitigating water damage. If your water heater is damaged suddenly and unexpectedly, for example, your insurance policy may cover you for a replacement. If water damage broke your television or damaged property in your home when your home was flooded due to a burst pipe or overflow of sewage, your insurance policy may be able to also reimburse you for damaged items. Finally, if you need to move out of your home to repair water damage, your insurance company may reimburse you for the cost of a hotel, for travel costs, and for any additional food expenses you might face as a result of not being home.

It is important to fix broken or leaky pipes right away. Failure to address or stop water damage could result in a denied water damage claim. If you are having trouble with a water damage claim, or if you have questions about what is and isn’t covered, consider speaking to Leader, Leader, & Zucker, P.L.L.C. in Fort Lauderdale, Florida today.

Maintenance Responsibilities Regarding Pipes

 

While your insurance company may pay a claim for sudden and unexpected leaks, your insurance company may fight paying for claims where the damage was the result of your failure to repair or maintain pipes, or where your negligence resulted in damages. Furthermore, if you were aware of a leak, but did nothing about it for weeks, the insurance company may also deny your claim for water damage depending on the language in your policy.

Insurance companies generally deem it your responsibility as a homeowner to repair and replace damaged pipes and to regularly maintain the components of your home in working order. If you have questions about whether your claim has been wrongfully denied, consider speaking to Leader, Leader, & Zucker, P.L.L.C. in Fort Lauderdale, Florida today. Our firm can review your claim and help you understand your rights and responsibilities.

Understanding Seepage Versus Sudden Damage

 

Water seepage happens slowly and generally insurance companies will be reluctant to cover damage related to seepage. Water damage due to a sudden burst pipe will generally be covered by most insurance policies as long as the pipe burst is sudden and accidental. If you are facing water damage, before accepting a denied claim, consider having the insurance claims lawyers at Leader, Leader, & Zucker, P.L.L.C. in Fort Lauderdale, Florida review your claim.

Water Damage Claim? Contact Leader, Leader, & Zucker, P.L.L.C. Today

 

Water damage claims can be among the most common but also the most complex insurance claims you can face at times. If your home has been damaged due to sewage backup, due to a broken pipe, or due to flooding, understanding your rights and your insurance policy is your first step when making a claim. If you understand what is and isn’t covered by your policy, you’ll be better able to appeal a denied claim if the appeal was wrongfully denied. Leader, Leader, & Zucker, P.L.L.C. are insurance claims lawyers in Fort Lauderdale, Florida who can review your insurance policy, your situation, and help you take the next steps to protect your rights.

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