Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Water Damage?

Homeowners insurance covers water damage that’s caused by a covered peril, such as a burst pipe. Water damage caused by maintenance issues or negligence, however, is not covered.

Find out if you're overpaying for homeowners insurance below.

Written by Mark Fitzpatrick

Updated: January 16, 2026

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Key Takeaways

Homeowners insurance companies cover water damage only when it’s caused by a sudden or accidental covered peril.

If water damage occurred because of neglect, poor maintenance or intentional acts, homeowners insurance will not cover the repairs or replacements.

Flooding is not covered by standard home insurance policies, but you can purchase a separate flood insurance policy if you live in a flood-prone area.

Does Home Insurance Cover Water Damage?

Home insurance covers water damage if it’s caused by a covered peril, which is an event that is sudden and accidental, not gradual issues or neglect. Common covered perils that involve water damage include:

Burst or broken pipes
Accidental overflow of household appliances (like a washing machine)
Sudden and accidental discharge of water or steam from plumbing, heating, or air conditioning systems
Water damage caused by extinguishing a fire
Wind- or hail-related damage that leads to water entering the home
Septic tank damage
Vandalism that results in water damage

How Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Water Damage?

Homeowners insurance can help pay for water damage through three main types of coverage: dwelling, personal property and liability coverage. Each applies in different situations depending on what was damaged and who was affected.


Dwelling Coverage	Covers repairs or rebuilding your home's structure when a covered peril causes water damage.	A burst pipe floods your kitchen and damages floors, walls and built-in cabinets.
Personal Property Coverage	Covers your belongings like furniture, clothing and electronics damaged by water from covered perils.	A washing machine overflows and ruins your couch and area rug.
Liability Coverage	Pays for damage to someone else's property when water from your home causes it.	An upstairs bathtub overflows and leaks into your downstairs neighbor's apartment.
Additional Living Expenses (ALE)	A burst pipe floods your home. You stay in a hotel for three weeks during repairs.	A burst pipe floods your home, forcing you to stay in a hotel for three weeks during repairs.

Insurance for Water Damage: Exclusions

Home insurance doesn't cover water damage when it comes from gradual issues, maintenance problems or natural events excluded from standard policies. Insurers see these situations as preventable through regular upkeep or they require separate coverage. Common water damage exclusions include:

Flooding from heavy rain, storm surge or rising rivers
Sewer or drain backups (unless you have add-on coverage)
Gradual leaks or seepage over time
Poor maintenance or neglect of plumbing systems
Mold or rot from long-term moisture buildup
Groundwater seeping into basements or foundations

BUY FLOOD INSURANCE IF YOU LIVE A IN A FLOOD-PRONE AREA

Water damage can be extremely expensive to repair, often costing thousands of dollars. Standard homeowners insurance covers sudden, accidental water damage from internal sources, but it never covers flooding.

If you live in a flood-prone area, buy a separate flood insurance policy to protect yourself against catastrophic repair costs.

Water Damage vs. Flood Damage: What’s The Difference?

In insurance, water damage and flood damage are treated differently. A flood, as defined by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), is an excess of water on normally dry land affecting two or more properties or two or more acres. Standard homeowners insurance policies don't cover floods, so you'll need to buy a separate flood insurance policy for this protection.

Water damage means sudden and accidental events that cause water to damage your home, such as a burst pipe, an overflowing appliance or water used to put out a fire. Standard homeowners insurance usually covers these scenarios if they come from a covered peril.

Check your policy's definitions section to understand your coverage. Some policies include broader water damage protection while others have restrictive exclusions. Your insurance agent can answer coverage questions before damage occurs.

How to File a Water Damage Claim

How you respond in the first 24 hours after finding water damage affects whether your insurer approves or denies your claim. Here's what to do when water damage strikes and you want to file a home insurance claim:

1
Report Damage Immediately
Call your insurance company right away after finding water damage from a covered peril. Quick reporting helps stop additional damage and speeds up your claim.
2
Document Everything Before Cleanup
Take photos and videos of affected areas, damaged belongings and the water source if visible. Your insurer needs this evidence to process your claim accurately.
3
Compare Your Deductible to Repair Costs
Check your deductible before filing minor claims. If repair costs barely exceed your deductible, paying out of pocket may save you from rate increases. Most insurers raise premiums after water damage claims, and multiple claims can cause policy cancellation.
4
Save All Emergency Repair Receipts
Keep all receipts for emergency repairs and temporary housing. Your policy may reimburse these expenses if the damage makes your home uninhabitable. Don't wait for adjuster approval before making emergency repairs to stop further damage.

How to Buy Flood Insurance

Most homeowners, renters and business owners can buy flood insurance whether or not they live in a high-risk flood zone. To learn your risk level, check FEMA's Flood Map Service Center, which shows if your property is in a designated flood zone.

Flood insurance is available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which sells policies only through licensed insurance agents, not directly to consumers.

If you want coverage, reach out to your home insurance agent or search FEMA’s agent locator to find one authorized to sell NFIP policies. In some areas, private insurers also offer flood coverage, which you can buy directly from the company or through an agent.

How to Protect Your Home From Water Damage

Regular maintenance prevents most water damage that insurance won't cover. Since insurers deny claims caused by negligence or poor maintenance, prevention protects both your home and your wallet. Focus on four key areas: plumbing systems, exterior protection, basement waterproofing and personal property storage.

1
Maintain your indoor plumbing system
Check pipes, appliance hoses, faucets and fixtures monthly for small leaks before they become major problems. Install water leak detection systems that automatically shut off your water if leaks are found. Replace cracked or damaged hoses right away, and update all appliance hoses every five to seven years no matter how they look.
2
Repair and protect your home's exterior
Stop water from entering by caulking windows, fixing missing shingles and keeping gutters clean with gutter guards. Check downspouts regularly to make sure water flows away from your foundation. Maintain sprinkler systems and winterize outdoor plumbing to prevent pipe freezes that can flood your interior.
3
Prevent basement water seepage
Basements are especially vulnerable to water damage. Reseal your basement walls regularly and install backwater valves to stop sewer backups. These simple steps can prevent thousands in damage that standard insurance won't cover.
4
Protect your personal property
Store valuable items in waterproof containers and use elevated shelving in basements and areas with water issues. Keep an updated home inventory with photos and receipts to make claims easier if water damage happens.

Does Home Insurance Cover Water Damage: Bottom Line

Homeowners insurance covers water damage only when it's sudden, accidental and starts from inside your home. For full protection, review your policy for exclusions and consider adding endorsements for sewer backups and hidden water damage, which standard policies don't cover.

Flood damage needs separate flood insurance no matter the cause. Prevention through regular maintenance is the best defense against expensive water damage that insurance won't cover.

Get quotes from at least three insurers to find the best and most affordable option to protect your home.

Is Water Damage Covered By Insurance: FAQ

Understanding water damage coverage can be confusing due to the many policy variations and exclusions. We answer common questions about how homeowners insurance handles different water damage scenarios.

Is water damage from appliances covered by home insurance?

Homeowners insurance covers damage from suddenly malfunctioning appliances like washing machines or dishwashers. Your policy pays for damage to floors, walls and belongings but excludes the appliance replacement cost. Some insurers offer equipment breakdown endorsements that cover both the appliance and resulting water damage.

Does homeowners insurance cover mold from water damage?

If you have mold from water damage, homeowners insurance only covers mold that results directly from a covered water damage event, such as a burst pipe. Mold from long-term humidity issues, flooding, or maintenance problems isn't covered.

Many policies have specific mold damage limits, between $1,000 to $10,000, which can be insufficient for extensive mold remediation that can cost $10,000 to $30,000.

How do I prove water damage was sudden for insurance claims?

To prove water damage was sudden rather than a maintenance issue, document when you first noticed the damage, take date-stamped photos, and have a plumber provide written confirmation of the cause. Keep maintenance records showing regular inspections of your plumbing system, and report the damage immediately upon discovery.

Insurance adjusters look for signs of long-term water exposure like warping, multiple water rings, or mold growth when evaluating claims.

Is roof leak water damage covered by homeowners insurance?

If you have roof leak water damage, it's covered if caused by a sudden, covered peril like wind, hail or falling objects. The insurance will pay for interior water damage and roof repairs, but not if the leak resulted from an aging or poorly maintained roof. Many policies exclude damage from roof leaks that developed gradually or occurred in roofs beyond a certain age, 15 to 20 years old.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Flooding: Related Articles

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.

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sources

Insurance Information Institute. "How to Protect Your Home From Water Damage." Accessed October 30, 2024.