Make sure water leaks are covered
If you’ve ever had to deal with water damage in your home, you know how very unpleasant it can be. You probably also know how much of a hassle getting a hold of your insurance company can be after a flood has caused property damage.
Imagine jumping through all the hoops to get in touch with an insurance broker, just to find out that your homeowners’ insurance does not cover water leaks! In this article, you’ll learn more about what you can do to ensure that your insurance is working for you, even in cases of water leaks.
Leak Detection
The most critical step in minimizing water damage, and therefore a need for insurance coverage, is to have a good leak detection company on call!
If you can identify and locate a leak early on, you can significantly reduce the amount of damage a leaky pipe can do to your home.
Keep an eye out for signs like these, and call your trusted water leak detection company right away if you notice:
- Water bill increasing with seemingly no explanation.
- Cracks in your home’s foundation.
- Wet or discolored spots on your walls or floors.
- Water meter fluctuating inexplicably, even when water usage has not changed.
Broken Water Pipe
Dealing with a broken or burst pipe can be one of the most stressful plumbing situations a homeowner can face.
A broken pipe can cause significant flooding, leading to thousands of dollars worth of damages in minutes!
How should react when faced with a broken pipe in your home? Here are three things you can do to help minimize the damage:
- Shut off your water and electricity. If you don’t have access to your home’s water main (as in an apartment building), call your landlord or management company right away to have it shut off.
- Call a trusted plumber, like Duane Blanton, that offers 24-hour service.
- While you wait for the plumber to arrive, take photos of the damage, and start removing as much as you can.
Water Damage
While all insurance companies and policies are different, certain incidents are covered by most when it comes to water damage.
For the most part, damage caused by a natural disaster such as a severe storm is usually covered.
Most companies will also include water damage coverage due to a plumbing emergency like a burst pipe, or an appliance hose suddenly breaking. What is usually not covered under any insurance plan is any leaking that happens as a result of poor maintenance.
Homeowners Insurance
So how can homeowners insurance help you out in a situation involving water damage? To begin with, insurance helps you reduce your financial liability in a case that you likely had no control over.
Like we said before, a broken pipe can cause thousands of dollars in damages within minutes. Without insurance, you would be on your own to restore your home and replace your personal belongings that were ruined.
Have a story about dealing with your insurance company and water damage? Leave it in the comments below! And don’t forget to give Duane Blanton a call 24/7 at (815) 781-2567 for leak detection services in Round Lake!
