Navigating Water Damage & Homeowners Insurance

Discovering water damage in your Northwest Arkansas home can be devasting, upsetting, and your first thought (after calling 911 Restoration Of Northwest Arkansas, of course!) is likely, “Will my insurance cover this?” Understanding your homeowner’s insurance policy when water damage strikes can be confusing, but it’s a critical step in your home’s recovery.

At 911 Restoration of Northwest Arkansas, we don’t just restore your property; we also offer free insurance consultations and can even help with the paperwork to make the process as smooth as possible. Here’s a breakdown of what homeowners generally need to know about water damage and their coverage.

The Golden Rule: “Sudden and Accidental”

Most standard homeowners’ insurance policies in Arkansas will cover water damage if it’s “sudden and accidental” and originates from inside your home. This typically includes:

• Burst Pipes: A frozen pipe that suddenly bursts, or an old pipe that unexpectedly gives way.
• Appliance Malfunctions: Water overflowing from a washing machine, dishwasher, refrigerator, or water heater due to a sudden failure.
• Accidental Overflows: A bathtub or sink overflowing due to a forgotten faucet.
• Roof Leaks from Covered Perils: If a storm damages your roof and leads to water intrusion, the resulting interior water damage is generally covered.
• Damage from Fire Extinguishing: Water damage caused by putting out a fire.

In these “sudden and accidental” scenarios, your dwelling coverage (for the structure of your home) and personal property coverage (for your belongings) typically kick in. If you have questions about this or any part of the process, contact us.

What Homeowners Insurance Generally DOES NOT Cover:

This is where many homeowners are surprised. Standard policies often have significant exclusions, primarily related to neglect or external water sources. Common exclusions include:

• Gradual Damage/Lack of Maintenance: If water damage is the result of a slow, ongoing leak that you neglected to fix (e.g., a perpetually dripping faucet, long-term pipe corrosion, or an unaddressed leaky roof), your claim may be denied. Insurance is for sudden unforeseen events, not for issues arising from poor home maintenance.
• Flooding: This is perhaps the biggest misconception. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. This includes water that comes from outside your home, like overflowing rivers, heavy rain causing surface water to enter your home, or storm surges. For flood coverage, you need a separate flood insurance policy, often available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
• Sewer Backups & Sump Pump Failures: Water backing up from sewer lines or drains, or damage from a failed sump pump, is usuallynot covered by a standard policy. However, you can often add an affordable “water backup and sump pump overflow” endorsement to your policy for this specific coverage.
• Groundwater Seepage: Water that seeps into your basement through foundation cracks or walls is generally not covered.
• Repairing the Source of the Damage: While your policy might cover the cost to repair the damage caused by a burst pipe, it typically won’t pay to replace the broken pipe or the faulty appliance that caused the initial problem.

Navigating Your Claim with 911 Restoration of Northwest Arkansas

When water damage occurs, you’ve already taken the crucial first step by contacting us. Here’s how we help you understand and navigate your insurance coverage:

1. Free Water Damage Estimate: Our team will provide a thorough assessment of the damage.
2. Free Insurance Consultation: We’ll review your situation and offer insights into what might be covered by your specific policy.
3. Direct Billing to Insurance: We work with all insurance carriers and can often bill your insurance company directly, reducing your upfront stress.
4. Documentation Assistance: Remember to take photos and videos of the damage! We’ll help ensure you have the necessary documentation for your claim.

Understanding your homeowners insurance coverage before disaster strikes is always best. We encourage all Northwest Arkansas homeowners to review their policies periodically and speak with their insurance agent about specific coverages and available endorsements, especially for water backup.

Should the unexpected happen, rest assured that 911 Restoration of Northwest Arkansas is here to provide you with expert restoration services and a Fresh Start, helping you through the entire process, including dealing with your insurance claim.

Don’t hesitate to call us immediately after water damage occurs!

911 Restoration of Northwest Arkansas: Your Fresh Start is Just a Call Away 479-334-5710.