March 9, 2011

April showers bring May flowers – and potential water damage

April showers bring May flowers.

We’ve all heard that April showers bring May flowers – but it could also bring potential water damage to your home, which can get costly. Many people presume their home is fully covered for water damage, only to find out that they’re not; that’s because not all home insurance policies are the same. Home insurance coverage for water damage depends on a number of things: like where you live and how your home was constructed. Also, keep in mind that insurance for some types of water damage may be included automatically in your policy and some may need to be purchased as an extra.

There are two causes of water damage that aren’t covered under most standard home insurance plans: Flooding and Seepage.

• Flooding results in damage from water that flows into your home from natural sources like lakes and rivers, or large amounts of pooled water.

• Seepage refers to the slow movement of water or other fluid through small openings, cracks or pores in your home.

Water damage that can be covered by home insurance policies are:

• Sewer backup and sump pump coverage. This is when water is forced through the sewer system back into your home or your sump pump fails.

• Water Escape. This covers water damage that may be caused when your bath or sink overflows or a pipe or hose inside your house breaks.

• Freezing. This is when there is damage to your home as a result of frozen internal water pipes.

If you’re not sure of the insurance coverage you have, ask your insurance provider – they can tell you exactly what your home is covered for.

Article provided by RBC Insurance, For more information on home insurance coverage or water damage, visit rbcinsurance.com/homeinsurance/prevention-tips