Damage from water-related events are not uncommon - however, insurance policies vary on the type of water damage that is covered on your property coverage.
To determine whether your water-related losses are covered by insurance, you need to identify the source of the water damage.
Considering the extensive water damage that has been happening throughout Ontario and elsewhere, we felt it essential to create a four part blog series on water damage so that our valued clients have a solid understanding of what exactly is involved.
Seepage
Seepage occurs when water enters a building through cracks, pores, or gaps. For example, water “seeping” through the property’s foundation walls. Seepage can result if a property is not properly maintained. For this reason, continuous or repeated seepage or leakage is excluded in insurance policies.
Different insurance companies use different terms to refer to surface water, such as groundwater or overland water, but all of these terms refer to water that is on land that is usually dry. The water could be from a lake, melting snow, severe rainfall, or even a swimming pool and might enter your home through the foundation, walls, and/or floors.
There may be optional coverage available for water that enters your home suddenly and accidentally as a result of surface water. Your location may affect the availability and price.
Sewer Backup
You can add coverage for sewer back-up to basic insurance policies. This offers you protection from sewer water that backs-up and enters your home from your municipal sewer system, private septic system, or through sump pump failure.
Bursting of Pipes
According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, all home insurance policies offer coverage if a pipe bursts suddenly and accidentally. However, if the water damage results from freezing, you might not be covered by basic insurance policies.
It is important to understand your property insurance coverage and what types of water damage you are protected from.
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WATER DAMAGE BLOG SERIES
>> PART 1 | Three Facts About Water Damage In Canada
>> PART 2 | Identifying the Source of Water Damage
>> PART 3 | What do you mean, “Flood”?
>> PART 4 | Four Common Questions Surrounding Sewer Back-up Coverage