Homeowners faced with the daunting task of repairing their homes after a pipe bursts or ruptures are well served knowing the right questions to ask about their pipe insurance. A busted pipe can cause significant damage to a home as the water wrecks havoc on flooring, walls, baseboards, and personal property such as furniture. Asking the right questions can save you time and money during this unfortunate circumstance.
- Does your homeowners’ insurance coverage include water damage or pipe insurance? Most instances are covered unless the insurance adjuster believes the damage resulted from neglect. An example of this would be allowing the inside temperature to drop below freezing causing the pipes to burst.
- What types of water damage — burst supply lines, washing machine flood, toilet malfunction etc. — does your policy cover? Insurance companies will deny your claim if they find the water damage resulted from aging or neglected appliances or fixtures. If they determine the event was accidental, they will cover your claim.
- Is water damage due to a roof leak covered under your policy? Insurance policies will vary between providers. Most companies will cover damage resulting from a roof leak unless it is determined by the adjuster the roof was neglected or in need of repair or replacement.
- What about water damage caused by a hurricane or severe storm? Most home insurance policies do not include flood damage and contain a provision excluding wind driven rain. Most home insurance companies offer flood insurance to cover these events for an additional fee.
The water damage caused by a ruptured pipe can be significant and extremely expensive to repair. The most common types of repairs are:
- Refinishing and replacing furniture and personal property
- Drying and cleaning fees
- Repairing electronic equipment
- Repairing swollen doors, windows, trims and baseboards
- Electrical and plumbing repair
- Replacing flooring
- Painting and drywall replacement
Dealing with insurance companies and claims adjusters can be a slow process so be prepared and have your paperwork ready. You want to cover all of the bases related to water damage insurance when you speak with an insurance agent before purchasing an homeowners insurance policy. Because of the severity water damage has caused on your home, you should be aware of what your homeowners insurance covers beforehand. This allows you to increase your coverage and protect one of your most valuable assets. For answers to your questions, contact the Pink Plumber today.
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