Will home insurance cover the leak in my basement?

 It’s a question we hear from customers all the time. They find water in their basement and reach out to us, frantic about fixing the issues and just as nervous about whether insurance will help them out or not.

Basement leaks come in many different forms, but not all damage is covered by insurance. What you end up paying for and what insurance covers varies from case to case, but your first step in the process is to find out.

Here are some tips to help ensure you’re covered and how to keep it that way.

 What’s your home’s history like? 

Your insurance company wants to know that you’ve been keeping up with your home. If you have a history of water seepage and you’ve never repaired the problem, you may be denied.

Whether you can see the leak or not, it continues to damage your home, and once water finds a way in, it won’t stop. Any leaks that have gone unaddressed will usually lead to your insurance company denying the claim, and you’ll be on the hook for repairs.

Some insurance companies do have policies in place to help customers with repairs but make sure to check with your insurer first.

An ounce of prevention…

We’ve all heard the saying an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and this is the case with basement leaks. Insurance companies expect regular maintenance to be performed, and damage due to a lack of maintenance is usually not covered.

For instance, if water is entering through a foundation crack, you’re usually on the hook as insurance companies see foundation cracks as maintenance issues. To avoid this, inspect your home each year for cracks or failing caulking. If caulking needs to installed or repaired, do so promptly to avoid any problems. 

Also, keep your drains, gutters and downspouts clean year-round. A buildup of water around your home is asking for trouble. Make sure water is moving away from your foundation at all times.

Is there a slow leak? Find the source and check your policy! 

Sometimes there are leaks we don’t know about. An appliance could be leaking into your floor or ceiling, but the leak is so slow it takes years to notice. By the time you figure it out, the damage has already been done, but you did everything you could… so what now? 

Some insurance companies may deny the claim because it was a slow, ongoing leak. Other companies may cover you based on the fact there was no way to notice the leak since it was hidden behind drywall. Talk to your insurer or broker for guidance and take a look at your policy’s seepage exclusion to figure out the best next step.

In conclusion…

Whether you’re covered by insurance or not, at this point, you need to fix the water seepage issue. Neglecting to do so won’t only lead to more water in your home, but it could also create even more insurance issues down the road.

Contact Clarke Basement Systems to set up a free, no-obligation estimate and protect your home and belongings from water seepage today.