If you’ve recently dealt with water damage, you may be asking yourself a few questions. “Will my insurance cover my damaged floors, ceilings, and cabinets, or will I have to do it alone?”
While coverage depends on the size, severity, and type of damage present, there’s a good chance that your local water damage restoration company can get you some coverage.
Allphase Roofing & Restoration provides homeowners in need with the guidance necessary to obtain widespread, centralized, or developing water damage coverage.
What’s Covered & What’s Not Covered
It takes narrowing down the root cause of the intrusion to determine whether or not it would be covered. Ask yourself if you’ve noticed unusual smells, noises, or slow-moving appliances. If so, these evident damages will most likely not be covered.
Most providers will not cover:
- Unattended Maintenance Problems (Developing Damage)
- Repair or Replacement of Source Damage
- Flood Damage (Separate Policy)
- Gradual Damage
- Sewer Back-Ups
Most providers will most likely cover:
- Sudden Damage
- Accidental Damage
- Appliance Overflows
- Hose Damage after a Fire
When Is Water Damage Not Covered by Insurance?
Insurance generally does not cover damages caused by “operator error.” This means that issues that could have been addressed at home but were not are typically excluded from coverage. For instance, damages related to poorly maintained pipes or appliance malfunctions usually fall outside the scope of insurance.
In other words, insurance typically does not cover water damage resulting from inadequate maintenance or lack of maintenance.
How the Source of Water Damage Affects Coverage
Most insurance providers do not cover any damage that has occurred over time. However, if the water damage takes you by surprise, you can bet that your provider will cover the damage.
Lack of maintenance is the leading cause of uncovered water damage. Unfortunately, many property owners forget about servicing their pipes, drains, and water heaters. This is a reminder to service outlets in your home consistently for complete insurance coverage.
The Difference Between Sudden and Gradual Damage
The difference between sudden and gradual damage is a fine line. Insurance providers follow strict, irrefutable guidelines when reviewing claims.
Sudden water damage is defined as unexpected and unpreventable. Gradual water damage describes damage developing over time, with or without an owner’s knowledge.
If you’re unsure which type your home falls under, call one of our specialists. Allphase can walk you through the inspection process if you need to document damage alone.
Water Backup and Flood Damage: Are They Included?
The short answer is no. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover water backup and flood damage because they are included in separate policies, such as flood insurance.
Water backups are not generally covered because they result from a lack of owner maintenance. Most water backups are completely preventable, so it’s more up to the owner to handle the repair and removal process.
How to File a Water Damage Insurance Claim
Call Allphase Roofing & Restoration for assistance with filing a water damage insurance claim. We handle 100% of the claims process, from the initial conversation with an adjuster to the payout.
Contact a local water damage restoration company within the first few days of exposure to receive uninhibited coverage. You’ll want to make a list of all the damage you are experiencing, down to the smallest corners.
Lastly, make temporary repairs to any appliances or leaking outlets if necessary.
What to Do Immediately After Discovering Water Damage
Following a water intrusion, you want first to locate the source. You should be able to do this easily with sizable leaks, as they expel water quickly. Then, switch off the power source. This is a step that any professional restoration service would carry out anyway. Start the restoration process where you can before expert help arrives.
If all else fails, call the professionals. You should have a locally available water damage restoration service ready to help in your area. If you’re unaware of your options, contact one of these providers quickly.
How Working with a Restoration Company Can Help Your Claim
Most people underestimate the influence of a professional water damage restoration service in filing a claim. We can make it 10x easier to get the coverage you need simply by knowing where to look.
Undetected damage is one of the most influential aspects in water damage coverage because it tends to be a key factor in not receiving full coverage. A professional service can easily spot hidden, miniscule, or obstructed damage that would otherwise hold you back from full coverage.
Contact Allphase Restoration for Expert Water Damage Services and Insurance Support
Are you struggling to tackle recent property water damage? If so, look no further. Since 2010, Allphase has helped homeowners move forward following an unsettling water leak or overflow simply by knowing what is necessary to do so.
In addition to years of industry experience, Allphase’s team members are all certified professionals. We handle large-scale or centralized water damage so all Ohio homeowners can receive the necessary care.
Need water damage coverage but aren’t sure where to start? Contact Allphase today.
Water Damage Insurance FAQ
1) Does homeowners insurance cover water damage from a leaking roof?
Yes, homeowners insurance covers water damage from a leaking roof if it’s an accidental or sudden intrusion. Similarly to water damage coverage, it won’t be covered if it’s gradual damage.
2) How long does it take for insurance to pay out total loss?
For water damage, payment takes about 8-10 weeks, depending on the severity of the loss.
3) Can insurance deny a water damage claim?
Yes, insurance can deny a water damage claim. Compare your provider’s guidelines with the damage you experienced to see if your claim will be denied.
4) Can I choose a restoration company after a water damage incident?
You have complete control over which restoration company you choose to work with. Allphase is an excellent resource for struggling residents, although we can’t be there for everyone. Contact a local provider in your area for immediate help.
5) How quickly do I need to report water damage to my insurance company?
To be considered, you need to file within a few days. It is recommended that you file and call for professional help as soon as you notice the intrusion, although we understand that that’s not always possible.
