A burst pipe or an overflowing appliance can soak floors, walls and furniture in minutes. Two questions usually follow right away: who can dry this out, and will insurance pay for it? The short answer is that many standard homeowners policies cover sudden and accidental water damage, while floods and slow, neglected leaks are usually excluded. Your own policy has the final word, so treat this as general information and check your coverage with your insurer.
What standard policies usually cover
According to the Insurance Information Institute, common homeowners policy types such as HO-2 and HO-3 cover accidental discharge or overflow of water from plumbing, heating and air conditioning systems, and from household appliances. That typically includes events like:
- A supply line or pipe that suddenly bursts
- A water heater that fails and dumps water
- A washing machine or dishwasher that overflows
- Water discharge or overflow from an air conditioning or heating system
Coverage generally applies to the resulting damage: soaked drywall, flooring, and damaged personal belongings, up to your policy limits and after your deductible. The exact perils, limits and exclusions vary by policy, so read yours or call your insurer before you assume anything is covered.
What is usually not covered
The same source lists several common exclusions:
- Floods. Flood damage is excluded under standard homeowners and renters policies. Separate flood coverage is available through the National Flood Insurance Program and some private insurers.
- Sewer backup. Not covered under a typical policy or under flood insurance. It can often be added as a separate endorsement.
- Gradual damage and poor maintenance. Damage from long-term leaks, seepage, or a failure to maintain the home is the homeowner’s responsibility. Mold that results from neglected damage falls in this category too.
A note for Phoenix and Las Vegas homeowners
The National Weather Service defines the Southwest monsoon season as June 15 through September 30, and flash flooding is one of its core hazards in the region. Because standard policies exclude flood damage, water that enters your home from monsoon storm runoff is generally a flood insurance question, not a standard-policy claim. A burst pipe during the same storm is a different story. Knowing which type of water caused the damage matters before you file.
What to do right after water damage
- Stop the water at the source if you can reach the shutoff safely.
- Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. Turn off electricity only if it is safe to do so (Ready.gov flood safety guidance).
- Do not wade into standing water. It can be contaminated, hide dangerous debris, or carry an electrical charge. Leave heavy standing water, and anything involving sewage or contaminated water, to professionals.
- Document everything with photos and video before anything is moved or removed.
- Contact your insurer promptly to report the damage and ask what your policy covers.
- Bring in a water damage restoration professional for extraction, drying and repairs. Acting quickly limits how far the damage spreads.
Getting help
Your Local Home Services connects homeowners in Phoenix and Las Vegas with local, independent water damage restoration professionals. If you are dealing with water damage now, call (702) 867-9048 to discuss your situation and get a free quote. You can also read more about water damage restoration in Phoenix, AZ and water damage restoration in Las Vegas, NV on our service pages.
This article is general information, not insurance or legal advice. Coverage depends on your specific policy, so confirm details with your insurance provider.