Does homeowners insurance cover water damage from rain or a leak?

Key points

• Generally, homeowners insurance covers water damage if it is sudden and accidental, like damage caused by a burst pipe. 
• Your home insurance typically won’t cover water damage that happened gradually, such as if it was a result of negligence or a lack of maintenance. 
• Standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding, like damage caused by a storm surge during a hurricane.

Home insurance may cover the cost of water damage repairs to your house and personal property, but it will depend on how the damage happened.  

Type of water damage that is covered by your home insurance

Water damage considered “sudden and accidental” is generally covered by a standard homeowners insurance policy, but gradual damage, like a slow leak, is not. 

Home insurance typically covers the following types of water damage:

• Burst pipes. This can include frozen pipes that burst. Keep in mind that if your pipes are already in bad shape and burst due to wear and tear or age your claim may be denied, as home insurance doesn’t cover damage caused by lack of general upkeep. 
• Accidental, sudden leakage. This may include plumbing and appliance leaks — although damage to the actual appliance may not be covered.
• Water damage that occurs after a fire. This could be from damage caused by water used to put out flames, such as from sprinklers.
• Sudden roof leaks. For example, leaks to your house caused by sudden damage to your roof, like if a tree falls on it and water gets in.
• Rainstorms or hail. This could include damage from heavy rain or hail, like if a severe hailstorm breaks your skylight and rain gets in. However, home insurance does not cover flood damage or groundwater that seeps in.
• Snow or ice. If an ice dam forms on your roof causing it to cave in and damage your house, home insurance may pay for repairs. 

Types of water damage not covered by homeowners insurance

The following sources of water damage are not covered in standard homeowners insurance policies:

• Lack of maintenance or general upkeep. Neglecting your property or appliances could result in claim denial. “If your roof is over 20 years old or has gradually declined over time, and you’ve failed to repair or maintain it, you will most likely not be able to claim a roof leak,” said Avner Gat, president of Avner Gat Property Loss Consultants.
• Groundwater seepage. Water that seeps into your basement from the ground or through your house’s foundation is usually not covered.
• Flood damage. Floods are typically not covered under standard homeowners insurance. If you have frequent severe weather or live in a flood zone, you may need separate flood insurance.
• Mold. Mold coverage depends on the cause. If it forms because of a lack of upkeep, it won’t be covered. However, if it was caused by a covered problem in your homeowners policy, such as water damage from a burst hot water heater, it may be covered.
• Sewer or drainage backup. Melting snow can overwhelm sewer systems and cause a backup in the drains of your home, possibly causing damage to your floors, walls and more. While sewer backup isn’t covered by most homeowners policies, you may be able to add water backup coverage to your policy for an additional fee to pay for repairs from drainage backup. 
• Earthquakes or earth movement. If an earthquake, mudslide or landslide results in water damage to your house, you won’t be covered. Consider purchasing separate earthquake insurance if you live in a high-risk area.
• Repairs to appliances. If your fridge or dishwasher goes kaput and leaks water, the repairs to the appliances themselves typically aren’t covered. You may be able to add equipment breakdown coverage to your policy or purchase a home warranty if you want to be paid out for repairs to certain appliances.  

Tip: Consider optional “hidden water damage” protection to cover the cost of removing mold and other damage caused by hidden water leaks originating under appliances, in walls or in your plumbing or heating system that your home insurance policy may not cover.

Should i file a home insurance claim for water damage

Let’s say your dishwasher leaks and the water damages your kitchen and belongings. Here’s how different parts of your homeowners insurance policy could help. 

• Dwelling coverage: Pays to repair the structure of your house — like your kitchen floors and walls.
• Personal property coverage: Pays for your belongings damaged by the water — like your kitchen table, chairs and cooking equipment. 
• Loss of use coverage: If the covered water damage to your house is so severe that it’s temporarily uninhabitable, this can pay for additional living expenses — like hotel stays and restaurant meals — while your house is being repaired. 

How to check your policy for water damage coverage

Your homeowners insurance policy will include a list of covered problems, called perils, and exclusions. 

The most common type of homeowners insurance is an HO-3 policy, which provides “all risks” coverage to the structure of your house. That means your house structure is covered for all problems unless it’s specifically listed as an exclusion in your policy. 

Some water damage exclusions include flood damage, sump and water backup damage, groundwater seepage and damage resulting from earth movement. 

In an HO-3, your personal property is covered against 16 named problems, or perils, in your policy. Covered problems that could lead to water damage to your belongings include damage from snow and ice, freezing, windstorm and hail and falling objects (like if a tree falls on your roof during a rainstorm and water gets in). 

If you’re unsure if the water damage is covered, contact your insurance company and give an explanation of what caused the water damage. If it was sudden and accidental — and not an exclusion like flooding — you may be able to file a claim. 

Home insurance claim for water damage

Here are some steps to take when filing a home insurance claim for water damage. 

• Contact your insurance company as soon as possible. 
• Document the damage with photos and videos.
• Submit your claim. 
• Prevent further damage by making temporary, emergency repairs. Keep receipts for the emergency repairs as you may be reimbursed by your insurer.
• Wait for the insurance adjuster if your insurer plans to send one. Insurance adjusters survey the damage and estimate the cost of repairs.  
• Receive claim reimbursement if it’s approved. 
• Keep receipts if you need to temporarily relocate while the damage is being repaired. 

If your claim is denied or you want a second opinion, consider hiring a public insurance adjuster who works on behalf of policyholders.

How to protect your house from water damage

The best way to protect your house against water damage is to prevent it from occurring. Here are some general upkeep steps you can take. 

• Check your plumbing and heating systems once a year for leaks and cracks.
• Inspect the water supply lines for refrigerators and washing machines several times a year to ensure they’re securely attached and not leaking.
• Check your water heater several times a year for rust or leaks.
• Fix any damage to your roof, even if minor. 
• Prevent frozen pipes by keeping your home heated to at least 50 degrees or wrapping your pipes with installation. 

You may also want to consider installing water-leak sensors. These devices can alert you to leaks as soon as they happen. Using Wi-Fi, smart water-leak sensors can even send you notifications via a smartphone app. This can help you detect leaks and contain them before water damage occurs. You might even be able to score a discount with your home insurance company for installing water sensors. 

Water damage insurance FAQs