Every policy is different, and your policy language is what counts. This guide covers how standard homeowners policies in Georgia tend to work, so you know what to ask your agent or adjuster. It is general information, not legal or insurance advice.
What is usually covered
Most standard homeowners policies cover water damage that is sudden and accidental. Common examples:
- A pipe that bursts, including one that froze, as long as you kept the house reasonably heated.
- A water heater that ruptures.
- A washing machine hose or ice maker line that splits.
- A toilet or sink that overflows.
- Rain that comes in through a roof, window or wall after wind or hail damaged it.
Coverage generally pays to dry the house and repair the damage the water caused. It often does not pay to fix the thing that failed, such as the water heater or the pipe itself.
What is usually not covered
- Flooding. Water that rises from outside, such as a creek over its banks or storm runoff pouring in at ground level, is excluded from standard policies. Flood coverage comes from a separate policy through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private flood insurer. NFIP policies usually have a 30-day waiting period, so buying one the day before a storm will not help.
- Slow leaks and maintenance problems. A drip under a sink that went on for months, rot from long-term moisture, or a roof that was already worn out often gets denied as wear and tear.
- Sewer and drain backup, unless you added a water backup endorsement. This is a common gap. Many Georgia homeowners only find out they lack it after the first backup.
- Groundwater and seepage through foundation walls or into the crawl space.
- Mold, beyond a small amount some policies allow when it results from a covered leak.
How to file a water damage claim
- Stop the water and protect the house. Policies expect you to prevent more damage, so getting a crew started right away helps your claim.
- Document everything. Take photos and video before cleanup starts, and photograph what caused the leak.
- Call your insurer or agent and get a claim number.
- Keep damaged items until the adjuster sees them, or photograph them closely if they have to go out for health reasons, such as anything soaked with sewage.
- Keep every receipt, including emergency repairs, hotel stays and meals if you have to leave home.
- Ask for the drying records. Restoration companies keep daily moisture readings and photos. Those records show the adjuster what was wet and how it was dried.
Working with the restoration company
Many restoration companies document damage in the format insurers expect, and many can bill your insurance company directly. Ask on the first call whether they do, and how they handle your deductible. You choose who does the work. Your insurer may suggest a company, but you can pick your own.
If you run into trouble with a claim
Start with your agent and ask the adjuster to explain any denial in writing, citing the policy language. If you still cannot resolve it, the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner takes consumer complaints about insurance companies. For a large or complicated loss, some homeowners hire a public adjuster or talk with an attorney.
Related services in Gainesville, GA
- Emergency water removal: Pumps and extractors for standing water, then fans and dehumidifiers to dry what is left.
- Storm and roof leak damage: Rain through roofs, windows and doors, fallen trees, and flooded lower levels after a storm.
- Sewage backup cleanup: Sewer and septic backups cleaned up, disinfected and dried, with the contaminated material hauled out.