You’ve barely walked in the front door and notice a waterfall cascading down the stairs.  Then you remember; you forgot to shut the bath water off before running to the store.  The only thing that could make this bad situation even more stressful is that this flood was not caused a natural disaster but by human error.

Water damage causes all kinds of problems and can be quite costly if not acted upon quickly.  Wet drywall and insulation will have to be replaced; there’s also the devastating risk of mould and fungus growth.    Just a couple of inches of water can cost thousands of bucks in repairs; not to mention the cost of replacing those treasured belongings.  Although your flood insurance policy may not cover the repair costs; your home owner’s insurance just might come to the rescue.  If you don’t own your home then hopefully you’ve purchased renters insurance which can sometimes cover the costs of your lost belongings

Flood insurance policies do not cover household damages caused by human error, broken pipes or main breaks unless they are caused by flooding.

The term “flooding” is defined by insurance companies as the “A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of two or more acres of normally dry land area or of two or more adjacent properties (at least one of which is yours).  Flooding by this definition is not covered by most home owner’s insurance policies.  A separate flood insurance policy can be purchased.  Flood insurance policies in the United States are backed by the National Flood Insurance Program and only cover damages caused by the rising of flood waters from the ground.

Home owner’s insurance policies will cover water damage caused by the accidental overflow of water like an overflowing bathtub.

Home owners insurance will cover water damages caused by most sudden accidents.  For example, the bathtub overflowing is considered accidental; therefore, the resulting damages would be covered.  If your dishwater hose leaks and damages your floor; the water damaged floor will be covered by your home owners insurance but the dishwasher repair will not.  Your home owners insurance will not cover water damage caused by neglect or poor maintenance.  For example, if you neglect to repair a leaking pipe any resulting damages will not be covered by your home owner’s insurance.

Renters insurance is available to individuals that don’t own their accommodations but still want to protect themselves and their belongings.  Renters insurance might not cover the cost of repairing damages to the structure itself but will cover the damages to your personal property.  When you purchase renters insurance it’s important to make sure water damage is specifically mentioned in the policy.

Notify your Insurance agent as soon as possible after the damage has occurred; he will explain the processes you need to follow to file your claim.  Be sure to accurately document all damages; use a camera or video and be specific in your wording.  Make list of damaged items that need to be replaced and be sure to include it with your claim.  After you’ve filed your claim be sure to keep in touch with your Insurance agent and get regular updates regarding your claim.