Does homeowners insurance cover water leaks?

Sudden versus gradual

The single biggest coverage question is how long the water was leaking. A washing machine hose that bursts and floods a laundry room is a classic covered loss. A drip under a sink that slowly rotted the cabinet floor over months is excluded as continuous or repeated seepage. Adjusters look at rot, rust, mold and staining patterns to decide which one you have.

What is typically paid

• Tearing out and replacing drywall, flooring or cabinets to reach the broken pipe.
• Repairing the water damage the leak caused.
• Drying and mitigation costs.
• Damaged belongings, subject to your personal property coverage.

What usually is not

• The pipe, valve or fixture that failed, or the appliance itself.
• Leaks that went on for weeks or months.
• Water from outside at ground level, which is flood.
• Sewer or drain backups, unless you bought water backup coverage.
• Freeze damage in a home left unheated without the water shut off, under many policies.

Leaks from above

Not every ceiling leak is plumbing. If water appears during rain, the roof, flashing or a skylight is the likely source, and coverage then depends on whether a storm created the opening. See interior damage from roof leaks.

Simple protection

Know where your main shutoff is. Automatic leak detectors and shutoff valves are inexpensive, and some insurers offer credits for them. Act within hours, not days, to keep a covered leak covered. See your duty to prevent further damage.