One of the most common questions we get here at First Response Water Damage is, “Is this going to be covered by my insurance company?” or “Why is this not covered by my insurance company?” If you have questions about Renton, WA water damage remediation, First Response Water Damage is here to help.
Writing about this topic, we can’t cover every scenario, but we can address the general rules that apply to insurance carriers regarding water damage claims for both residential and commercial properties.
Water Damage Loss
By definition, a water damage loss is “the sudden and/or catastrophic failure of a component allowing water into an otherwise dry space.” For example, a hot water tank suddenly fails, pouring water on the floor of your home. The shutoff valve, hose, or pipe could suddenly fail, allowing water to enter your home. Another potential source of covered water damage claims might be accidental, such as filling the kitchen sink and getting distracted, resulting in the sink overflowing onto the kitchen floor.
Causes not covered by your insurance carrier include “long-term leakage and seepage,” or water damage that has been left unaddressed for a period of time. Regarding long-term leakage and seepage, this clause in our property insurance policies addresses leaks and drips that have not been attended to. As homeowners, we are responsible for proper maintenance of our homes or business properties.
I recall a call we received last year regarding water damage in a kitchen. We set an appointment, and upon entering, I could tell we had a major problem. The cabinets around the sink were warped and covered with mold. The laminate flooring was warped with mold growing in the joints. This was the time to figure out what was going on. The owner showed me where the P‑trap for the sink drain had been dripping, but he said, “He kept a bucket under it.” This would have been a very inexpensive repair, and the entire water damage could have been avoided. That’s why this type of claim is not covered. Unfortunately, the homeowner was not happy to hear that, yes, you can file a claim, but in my experience, it wouldn’t be covered. He called me back two days later to confirm that his insurance carrier would not cover it, and we then worked out a plan to restore his kitchen.
Another clause in our insurance policies states that the “owner has the responsibility to take immediate action to prevent further damage.” What does this mean? When affected by water damage that falls within covered parameters, property owners must act quickly to prevent further damage by shutting off the appropriate water supply. This could be the sink valve or the main water shutoff valve. If you don’t know where your main water shutoff is, I recommend locating it now and ensuring it is accessible in an emergency. The next step is to mop up the area as quickly as possible if the water‑affected area is small. However, if the damage extends beyond a mop and bucket, the next step should be contacting a water damage or water mitigation company.
First Response Water Damage
Our job is to respond quickly (available 24/7), remove any standing water, and locate the “edge” of the water damage. The edge is where the water stops—north, south, east, west, and down. We assess whether water has gone under walls into other rooms, under cabinets, in between floor layers, or into the level below or crawl space. All of this needs to be addressed to determine what materials must be removed to dry the building’s substructures, such as framing, subfloors, and other salvageable wet materials.
Flood Vs. Water Damage
People often say, “My house is flooded,” but the industry and insurance carriers differentiate between “water damage” and “flood.”
Water damage refers to the scenarios described earlier. Flood, on the other hand, refers to outside groundwater penetrating the structure. Flood damage is not covered by standard homeowner’s insurance policies. Every winter, we dry out flooded basements, and customers are often shocked to learn their insurance carriers deny coverage because the water is ground water. Ground water can come from rising rivers, drainage, or runoff.
Pop Quiz
Given the definitions above, if excessive rain from your gutter downspouts causes water intrusion into your structure, is this a covered water damage or flood?
Trick question. It could be either. If the downspout is clogged or unable to handle the volume of water, causing it to penetrate the soffit, siding, or window flashings, this is likely a covered claim. However, if the same water from the downspout is dumping on the ground, saturating the soil, and forcing its way into your basement—finished or unfinished—this would be classified as a flood. Once the water contacts dirt, it becomes a flood.
Coverage For Flooding
You may now wonder, is there any coverage specifically for flooding? The answer is: yes and no. FEMA offers a specific flood insurance program, but eligibility depends on being in a designated flood zone and meeting certain requirements. Contact your insurance agent for more information regarding FEMA Flood Insurance.
Fortunately, 95% of the jobs we go to throughout the year are covered claims. Once First Response Water Damage is on the job site, First Response Water Damage can direct you with accurate information so that you can make a decision that best suits you. Contact us today.
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