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Waking up to a flood in your basement due to a faulty water heater is anything but pleasant – especially after you realize your floor is damaged. One of the first questions you’ll likely ask yourself is, does my homeowners insurance cover water damage? In this scenario, your standard homeowners insurance policy will cover the costs associated with the damage and an agent can help you start the process of filing a water damage insurance claim. However, not all types of water damage are covered. Under most standard home insurance policies, if water damage occurs suddenly or accidentally from a source inside your home, such as a busted pipe, it will likely be covered by your homeowners insurance. If the water comes from outside your home, it will not be covered by your standard policy. However, you can seek special protection from flood-related damages with flood insurance, which is a separate policy that can make a smart addition to your existing home coverage. Types of water damage not covered by homeowners insuranceWhether your homeowners insurance covers water damage depends on the source of the water that caused the damage. Here are three instances in which your homeowners policy will not provide coverage:
Preventing water damageEven if the damage is covered, it’s still easier to not have any water damage at all. The following tips can help prevent water damage in your home:
For more tips on protecting pipes in the winter, read these articles on winterizing your home and
preventing frozen pipes. Water damage vs. flood damage: an important distinctionIt’s important to keep in mind that water damage and flood damage are two different things. Distinguishing the two can be confusing, which is why it’s a good idea to read your insurance policy closely, or seek help from your agent. The primary difference is that with a flood, the water comes from a natural source. So if you live in an area near a large body of water that could potentially overflow, or if your neighborhood is prone to extremely heavy rain, flood insurance may be a good idea. What is a flood?National Flood Insurance Program has
established a legal definition for a flood as follows: A flood is a general and temporary condition where two or more acres of normally dry land or two or more properties are inundated by water or mudflow. To learn more about homeowners insurance to protect your house and your belongings, take a look at our homeowners coverage page. At best, a busted water heater means cold showers, but at worst, you could set your house ablaze after a malfunctioning water heater explodes or you could even suffocate from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the water heater is simply leaky, the water that seeps through the house will ruin your floors and furnishings. Without home insurance, you’ll be left to foot the bill on your own. Keep in mind, however, that home insurance does not cover water heater disasters that are due to neglect or improper maintenance. See when homeowners insurance will and will not cover water heater damage and what you can do to prevent disaster. On This Page
Will Homeowners Insurance Cover a Water Heater Disaster?Whether or not a home insurance claim will be paid rests mainly on the peril that caused the damage to your water heater as well as your insurance company’s assessment of your responsibility in the disaster. When it comes to water heaters, a standard homeowners insurance policy will cover damages caused by a burst or leaking heater if the leak is sudden and not due to age or poor maintenance. Basically, the lifespan of a heater is usually around 10 years, so if your water heater is near its life’s end and has malfunctioning old hardware, your claim may be denied or only partially covered. After you file a claim, an insurance claims adjuster may look at the water heater and determine that the damaged water heater has already run its course and is not replaceable. If that happens you may not get any coverage at all. You may also not be covered if the leak has been ongoing for days or weeks without you noticing or taking appropriate action. It’s important to check on your water heater every couple of months because an ongoing slow leak can cost thousands of dollars in water-damage repairs very suddenly–and it won’t be considered sudden to the insurance company, who expects you to maintain that water heater. Get Personalized Home Insurance Quotes HereWhether or not a home insurance claim will be paid rests mainly on the peril and your responsibility in the disaster. Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Water Heater Damage or Replacement?If your water heater is damaged by a covered peril, like a fire or hurricane, your homeowners insurance should pay to replace your water heater because it is your personal property. Other perils that are covered include:
For appliance breakdown, you will not get coverage from home insurance; Instead, buy a home warranty or extended warranty on the water heater. Homeowners insurance will most likely only cover water damage, not damage to the water heater itself. So, you may get a payout to clean up the water and replace floors and furnishings destroyed by water. It is therefore very important to check your water heater on a regular basis and buy a new one before it bursts from old age. Water Heater - Request Home Insurance Quotes What Is Covered by Homeowners Insurance if My Water System Breaks Down?If your water heater is not old and suddenly breaks down, a standard home insurance policy will cover:
The lifespan of a heater is usually around 10 years, so if your water heater is near its life’s end, your claim may be denied or only partially covered. Common Exclusions on Homeowners Insurance Water Heater Claims
Preventing Water Heater DamageTo keep your water heater from breaking down earlier than expected, it’s important that you do the following:
If you neglect to do these four things, your hot water heater may not only burst and damage your home and belongings but it may emit carbon monoxide, which is deadly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a yearly inspection for everyone with water heaters that run on gas, oil or coal. If your water heater is damaged by a covered peril, your homeowners insurance should pay to replace it as your personal property. Water Heaters and Building CodesYour water heater needs to meet the latest building code compliances. It’s important to have your water heater thoroughly checked out by a professional every few years to make sure the heater is up-to-date with these codes. Complying with the building code also ensures that your hot water heater is properly flushed, cleaned and maintained. Conducting Hot Water Heater Preventive MaintenanceNot only does regular maintenance by a professional prevent damage to your home and the water heater itself, but it can also extend the life of the water heater, saving you thousands of dollars. Sediment and debris that collect in a hot water heater not only prevent it from heating water efficiently, but they can also cause deadly carbon monoxide emissions or an explosion of the water heater, which can be dangerous and lead to a house fire. Water Heater - Request Home Insurance Quotes Signs That You May Have a Faulty Water Heater
Get Personalized Home Insurance Quotes HereIf your water heater suddenly breaks down, a standard home insurance policy will cover cleanup and repair/replacement of personal property. Water Heater FAQsHow often should I flush the hot water heater to prevent leaks and explosions?Flush your hot water heater at least once every six months to ensure mineral content doesn’t build up, which can cause serious and expensive problems. If you live in an area with hard water, flush the water heater every three months. Is there insurance for home appliances like water heaters?Some home insurers offer equipment breakdown coverage that pays for necessary appliance repairs and replacements. You can also buy a home warranty to cover your home appliances, including your water heater. Key Takeaways
It’s important to have a reputable insurer in case of serious damage, like flooding caused by a water heater. If you are unhappy with your current policy or want to save a couple of hundred dollars a year, it’s a good idea to compare rates every six months. Let SmartFinancial do the work for you by entering your zip code and answering a few questions. In minutes, you’ll get several free homeowners insurance quotes! How long does a water heater last?Typically a residential hot water heater lasts between 6 and 13 years.
What happens when your water heater leaks?Even a small amount of water leaking from your water heater can cause damage to your floors, sub-floors and walls. A significant flood could lead to hefty repair bills and damage to personal property. Water heater leaks can also be a health concern and lead to mold and mildew.
Why is my water heater leaking from the bottom?If water is leaking from the bottom of the tank itself, this is bad news. Once a water heater's tank is cracked or corroded enough to leak, it loses structural integrity and will not be able to manage internal pressure. The most common cause of internal tank leaks is failure to properly maintain your water heater.
Can anyone replace a water heater?CONCLUSION. Installing a water heater is no average DIY project. You must have plumbing, electrical, heating ventilating, and carpentry skills, know state and local building codes, obtain a permit for the work and arrange with your municipality for an inspection of the work.
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Does home insurance cover water heater replacement
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