Water damage is one of the most common reasons for insurance claims, not only because of the extensive damage it can cause but also because there are so many different possible causes that can lead to it; anything from a toilet overflow to a full-scale flood. Furthermore, there are so many things involved should water damage occur. Not only will the insurance companies have to deal with the bills for cleaning up the water, they may also find themselves paying for furniture damage, mold removal, repainting, etc. Different insurance companies have different insurance coverages, so what one company offers may be completely different to what another is selling you.
Water damage can be very destructive, both to people and to the home. Depending on the kind of water, there might be contamination that can cause health hazards. Water damage can be extremely damaging to the homes. It can also stain your floors, walls, and ceilings, ruin your carpeting, and in worst-case scenarios, even cause mold to start growing, which can trigger further health hazards. The situation will be much worse if your house is made of wood, because it can make the material decay in a short span of time. All of these can drastically affect the resale value of the house, something you should seriously think about even if you don’t have any intention of selling your home at this point in time.
Toilet overflow is one possible cause of water damage. It is usually caused when someone accidentally drops something down the toilet. This is common in households with children, who, whether accidentally or deliberately, flush one of their toys or some other object.
The question is, does insurance cover water damage caused by toilet overflow? In general, most insurance companies thankfully do cover that in their policies. These include replacement or repair of the toilet and the pipes, as well as settling the bill of the company that will clean up the mess. A lot of these also include repair or replacement of any home furnishings that became damaged and mold extermination that is caused by the overflow.
To be sure, ask your agent or read the policy to see if it actually covers toilet overflow in case the insurance company turns out to be one of the organizations that don’t provide coverage for that. In the end, it is just a good idea to find out which water damage circumstances are covered by your policy and which are not, and if possible, increase your coverage as needed.
Source by J.A. Rodriguez
