Depending on where you live, winter may bring you freezing temperatures, rain or snow. You may spending time in front of a cozy fire — or you may be on your hands and knees, mopping up water from a burst pipe, leaking roof or flood.
If the worst happens, insurance can cover your losses. But what’s covered and not covered varies, depending on your policy type. Also, what you do after the damage happens can help or hurt the chances of your home insurance claim being approved.
Keep in mind that insurers view water damage in two broad categories:
1. Water from above (rainstorm, ice storm or leaking pipe).
2. Water from below (floodwater).
Your homeowner’s insurance will cover a sudden, accidental pipe break, but not a slow leak that’s gone undetected for months or years.Rainstorms and pipe leaks
Water damage is a common reason for filing an insurance claim. Winter storms caused an average of $1.25 billion in annual losses during the past decade, the Insurance Information Institute reports. The average homeowner’s insurance claim for water damage or freezing is nearly $5,900.
Will your water damage be covered? It depends on your policy type, says Rick Kinney, a licensed claims adjuster and owner of the advice site PropertyClaimTips.com.
Some policies cover little besides fire damage. Others include water damage only if it’s cited in the policy. Still others cover water damage as long as it is not specifically excluded in the policy. Read your policy carefully to know what’s covered.
If you experience damage from water or frozen water, you still may not be covered if your insurance company considers you negligent. For instance, if you had a summer home and forgot to drain the pipes when you left, or your pipes are improperly insulated, you may not be covered.
“If you ran out of heating oil or propane, and then your pipes freeze, your insurance will deny your claim,” Kinney says.
One important thing to note if you’re filing a claim for water damage: You’ll need to prove the damage was not caused by a slow leak that’s gone undetected for months or years, says Jeff Reinig, senior vice president for home policies at Farmers Insurance.
Flood insurance is available only through the National Flood Insurance Program.“Water damage is covered from a sudden, accidental pipe break, for instance,” Reinig says.
Mold damage is even trickier. Coverage parameters vary by state. As with water damage, the mold must have been caused by sudden water damage, not a gradual buildup.
Flood insurance
If you think your property is in danger of flooding, there’s only one resource for insurance – the federal government. Since 1968, all U.S. flood insurance has been offered through the National Flood Insurance Program, according to Farmers’ Reinig. If you’re in an area prone to flooding, you may be required to obtain flood insurance to secure a home mortgage.
If you’re at risk, it is well worth obtaining coverage. Last year, the National Weather Service reports, coastal storms, flash floods and river flooding caused more than $1 billion worth of combined property damage.
But keep in mind that federal flood insurance has its limits. You can obtain up to $250,000 of building-damage coverage. Meanwhile, coverage for your belongings is capped at $100,000.
Beyond there, you’re out of luck unless your flood is declared a federal disaster, in which case you may be eligible for additional aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Claim tips
For your best chance at getting your water damage claim paid by your insurance, act quickly. Call your insurance agent immediately — many will dispatch a team right away to help minimize damage, Farmers’ Reinig says. If no help is imminent, take photos to document your damage, then take action yourself to stop the problem and begin cleaning up.
“Keep all the evidence, even if you have to pile sopping-wet insulation in the backyard and cover it with a tarp,” Reinig says.
Your home insurer will send an adjuster to estimate the damage and present you with a settlement offer, PropertyClaimTips.com’s Kinney says. If you think your insurer’s estimate is too low, you can hire your own adjuster to do another estimate. The two estimates then go to binding arbitration, and an “umpire” appointed by the two estimators will make a final decision on the payment amount.
An ounce of prevention
The best way to cope with winter water hazards is to take steps to prevent damage. Here are some tips from State Farm Insurance:
The average homeowner’s claim for water damage and freezing during the winter totals nearly $6,000.Water
• Check for leaks in hoses on your dishwasher, washing machine and refrigerator.
• Watch for evidence of a slow leak, such as warped, discolored or soft flooring, wet spots on the floor or water-damaged cabinets.
• Check pipes under sinks for drips.
• Check bathtubs and showers for failing grout and re-caulk as needed.
• Check for hidden leaks by stopping all water use and recording the meter reading. If the meter reading keeps going up, there may be an undetected leak.
• Make sure all family members know where the water shutoff valve is and how to use it.
Freeze
• If you’re going to be away from your permanent home or summer getaway, ask someone to stop by to check the property.
• Be sure to drain pipes or keep the thermostat on to avoid freezing.
• In extreme cold, keep a small trickle of water running through the faucet.
• Close exterior doors for unheated spaces.
• Install a household water-leak detection system.
–Carol Tice
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Filed under insurance by on Jan 24th, 2011. Comment. 
Although your landlord probably has liability and property damage coverage, you’re on the hook for replacing your personal property. Check your rental agreement for the specifics.
Each renter’s insurance policy will provide property damage and liability coverage up to a specific dollar amount. It’s a good idea to make an inventory of your personal possessions, keeping photos or video and receipts. That way, you won’t have to convince a claims adjuster that your brand-new sofa wasn’t a hand-me-down futon. Make sure that appliances connected to water lines, like dishwashers and washing machines, are in sound working condition.
Like home insurance, a standard renter’s policy will not cover flood damage. Government-backed programs allow you to buy flood insurance, and many insurance companies sell flood riders for existing renter’s insurance policies.
A standard renter’s policy will pay for temporary housing and transportation while you wait for repairs or seek alternative accommodation. Save all your receipts for expenses due to living away from home so that you can make a successful claim for “additional living expenses.”
Filed under insurance by on Jan 12th, 2011. Comment.
It stands to reason that if you need to water damage restoration in Austin, Texas, your best provider is a professional flood damage restoration expert located in Austin, Texas. There are only a few true water damage restoration companies in Austin which offer a complete restoration package. There are six qualities to look for in the company you hire to clean up your flood damage:
1. Do you offer a complete package of restoration services (not just carpet)? A flood damages a lot more than just carpet. There may be structural damage to sub-flooring. There may be warping of baseboards and moldings, as well as damage to walls, furniture, papers, and even electronics depending on the depth of the water. Don’t settle for carpet cleaning when you need flood restoration. There’s a big difference between the two.
2. How long have you been in business? The best providers have been around for awhile, and have the experience to recognize potential problems. Experience and the proper equipment may also help them to perform a more thorough job in less time
3. Are the technicians adequately trained, full-time professionals? You need more than a subcontractor or temp with a sponge and a bucket!
4. Does the company use industrial strength equipment? It takes more than a ShopVac to clean up after a flood. Professional restorers use water removal equipment as well as dehumidification equipment.
5. Do the technicians use professional gear on a daily basis? The best equipment doesn’t matter if the technician can’t figure our how to operate it.
6. Are the technicians employed by the flood restoration company or are they merely subcontractors? Employees have more at stake and usually do a better job.
The answers to these questions will go a long way in determining whether or not you are working with a skilled specialist in flood restoration services.
Other Cleaning Services
There are three other types of services that claim to be able to clean up water damage. Internet marketing companies have a website taking calls from everywhere which they then pass on to subcontractors in the Austin area. The company may not be located anywhere Austin, or may only be targeting the area to profit from recent flooding. National franchises are usually fairly new to the area, with little connection or experience. The staff may be new, minimally trained, with little or no real-world experience.
Finally, many carpet cleaning companies advertise themselves as restoration services. But they lack even the basic necessary equipment for water removal and dehumidification. They may have little education or experience. Worst of all, their focus is on carpet, and may not be able to restore personal belongings or furniture.
Your home is your biggest investment. If you’ve suffered flood damage, you now risk mold and mildew that can injure your family’s health and destroy the value of your home. This is the time to call in a professional who can handle all aspects of flood restoration. It just stands to reason.
Arijit Roul has many hobbies and interests. As well being a keen blogger and article writer for many sites, he has also recently created a site focusing on water damage. The site is constantly being updated and has articles such as water damage to read.
Filed under Home Insurance by on May 27th, 2010. Comment.