Homeowners insurance provides coverage for many aspects of homeownership; however, not everything. For instance, if your dishwasher springs a leak and damages the floor in your kitchen, homeowners insurance may cover some or all of the damage – but only if it was sudden and accidental.
But what about bathtub leaks? NerdWallet investigates whether homeowners insurance will cover this type of water damage.
Coverage for water damage
Standard homeowners policies cover water damage to personal property and dwelling structures (cabinets, walls and flooring) caused by sudden and accidental events like bathtub leaking or overflowing; this often meets this criteria; however a homeowner insurance claim may not be approved in cases of leaks which have been occurring over time.
Example: If you have been noticing a small leak under your sink for months but took no action to address it until it was too late and mold began growing behind it, an insurer might be less inclined to pay out because they can argue it was caused by negligence and not covered under your homeowners insurance policy. Insurance companies expect their policyholders to perform regular maintenance and address problems immediately as they arise; failing to do so makes it easy for them to deny claims later on.
There are exceptions to this rule; for instance, if your old plumbing system has been slowly leaking and then bursts unexpectedly, insurers are more likely to accept your claims since the damage occurred gradually over time. Also if a sewer backs up it may qualify as flooding under separate flood insurance policies; you’d need one for coverage.
Maintaining and having your house checked professionally on an ongoing basis is one way to avoid issues with home insurance policies and denied claims, as doing so will allow professionals to detect things like leaky faucets or pipes before they become serious issues – giving you peace of mind knowing your property is covered should an unexpected event occur. Keep repair records handy in case it becomes necessary to demonstrate that repairs were made without further water damage occurring; doing so can save both hassle and money in the future.
Exclusions
Homeowners insurance typically begins as a broad coverage package and gradually narrows its focus through exclusions. Exclusions typically refer to things not covered under an average policy such as flood or earthquake damage, mold damage and theft – while some types may occasionally get covered but this coverage tends to be rarer.
An aspect often excluded from a typical homeowner’s policy is water damage from sewer or drain backup, typically covered by separate policies like an HO-4 or HO-6 policy. Homeowners may purchase an endorsement specifically covering this form of damage.
There are various situations where your bathroom leak could be denied by your insurer, for instance if you ignore a dripping faucet for several months without fixing it and then file a claim, they will likely deny your claim as it was due to negligence; since during that period you could have done something about the dripping faucet to prevent water damage occurring.
Standard homeowner’s policies typically don’t cover termite and insect damage, bird/rodent damage, rot/rust damage and wear-and-tear. Some insurers offer separate HO-4 or HO-6 policies to cover such damages; it is wise to consult your insurer regarding coverage in this instance.
Not covered by standard homeowners policies are damages caused by acts of God, floods, earthquakes, wind and hailstorms. In some instances, you can purchase an endorsement to add coverage for these issues; however, it’s always wise to consult your agent on any details specific to your policy. By understanding exclusions, proactively addressing potential gaps in coverage, and seeking legal guidance as needed, you can lower the risk of denied claims or costly repairs. By maintaining accurate repair records of your home and taking good care in maintaining it properly, navigating the insurance landscape becomes simpler; helping avoid expensive repairs, reduce chances of denied claims and secure your investment more securely.
Repairs
After meeting their deductible, homeowner policies typically cover water damage repairs caused by plumbing system issues that could have been prevented with routine maintenance. If such damage was the result of improper plumbing system design or operation, your insurer may deny your claim and pay out on it anyway.
As such, it is crucial that you conduct regular inspections of your home and take immediate measures if any repairs become necessary. Furthermore, keeping records of these inspections and repairs done so they may be provided to an insurance agent in case any dispute arises.
Be mindful that homeowners insurance typically doesn’t cover leaks that develop gradually over time and could have been avoided with regular maintenance. For example, if there was a slow leak under your sink that you overlooked and it caused mold behind your vanity cabinet, they may not agree to cover damages caused by it.
Other leaks and overflows should also be covered under your policy, for instance if your 5-year-old accidentally left the bathtub running and it floods all of the bathroom and adjoining rooms, provided this was sudden and accidental. Also covered may be damage done to plumbing caused by falling trees during storms that damage it; typically covered under dwelling coverage policies as well.
Replacement
As a homeowner, it is vitally important that you inspect your tub regularly for leaks and cracks as well as ensure its caulk and grout remain in top shape to prevent water seeping into nearby walls and floors and causing further damage.
As most bathtub leaks are easily identifiable and accessible for repair, taking immediate action should water stains appear on your ceiling or walls is often the best way to address them and avoid costly repairs as well as mold/mildew growth risk.
Most homeowners insurance policies will cover the costs associated with fixing an unexpected and sudden bathtub leak; however, many policies won’t cover repairs or replacement costs when leakage has developed slowly as a result of gradual damage; as this type of damage could have been avoided through taking proper maintenance measures.
One of the primary sources of bathtub leakage is a broken drain gasket. An improper seal allows water to escape your overflow drain while bathing, leading to pooled pools of water on your bathroom floor or near it. You can install a replacement gasket by first removing and cleaning off the old one with rubbing alcohol before inserting and tightening up a new gasket tightly against its overflow pipe flange flange.
Leaks in bathtubs may also occur as a result of insufficient seal between tiles and tub or shower walls due to missing caulk or grout, leaving gaps or crevices behind that must be rectified quickly to maintain a tight seal. Recaulk or regrout the area immediately to restore an adequate seal.
If you detect a leak in your bathtub, it is crucial that you contact a plumber immediately. Left unattended, this can lead to serious water damage and increase in water bills; furthermore it can create mold and mildew which will have detrimental impacts on both health and condition of your home.