Pipe Bursts? Water damage? What you should know.

11/10/2017 (Permalink)

Don't let broken pipes leaving you hanging around.

According to Insure.com, water damage is among the most common causes for homeowners' insurance claims--and one of the biggest sources of confusion. If a flooding river inundates your home, your insurance is unlikely to cover the damage. But if the flood comes from within the home itself, the result of a burst pipe, you can breathe easier: Your policy may probably will cover the damage to your property.

In general, water damage from a burst pipe inside your home should be covered by a standard homeowners' insurance policy. If an outside pipe bursts and causes damage, that should be covered, too, though you must be able to demonstrate that the damage did indeed come from the burst pipe. If the insurer concludes that poor drainage--a non-covered maintenance problem--was the real culprit, your claim may be denied.