Jeffrey Wade
Water damage can be a costly and stressful experience for homeowners. It is important to understand the extent of your insurance coverage in the event of water damage to your home. Erie Insurance offers coverage for water damage caused by specific events, but the details of each policy vary. While standard policies may not cover water damage, Erie's Extended Water coverage provides additional protection against sewer or drain backup and flooding, including inland flooding, tidal water, and storm surges. Understanding your policy and consulting with an Erie agent can help determine if water damage is covered and ensure peace of mind.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of damage covered | Water damage caused by specific events, including floods, storms, sewer or drain backup, tidal water, storm surge, mudflow, mudslide, and more. |
| Policy requirements | Erie homeowners insurance typically covers water damage caused by sudden and accidental events. The exact coverage depends on the policy and endorsements selected by the homeowner. |
| Additional coverage | Erie's Extended Water coverage can be added to the basic policy, offering protection for personal property, including items in the basement, and reimbursement for flood avoidance of up to $10,000. |
| Exclusions | Damage caused by leaking or wet foundations, normal wear and tear, maintenance issues, or flooding and water backups from sewage or drains (unless an endorsement is added). |
| Additional benefits | Erie offers liability protection, covering medical expenses if a guest is injured on the property, and additional living expenses if the home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered event. |
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Burst pipes
Whether or not Erie homeowners insurance covers water damage from burst pipes depends on several factors. Firstly, it depends on the type of policy you have. Most standard homeowners insurance policies cover water damage from sudden and accidental incidents, such as a burst internal pipe. However, it's important to note that exterior water lines are generally not covered under standard policies. If a water line breaks on your property due to age, regular wear and tear, poor initial installation, frequent ground temperature changes, shifting soil, or damage from pests or encroaching tree roots, the break and resulting water damage are typically not covered.
Additionally, negligence, such as turning off your heat before going on vacation, resulting in frozen and burst pipes, is generally not covered. It's important to take reasonable steps to prevent such incidents, such as maintaining an adequate indoor temperature and setting your thermostat to a minimum of 55 degrees Fahrenheit when away from home.
If you have water damage from a burst pipe, it's crucial to review your policy details and consult with your insurance provider to determine what is and isn't covered. While insurance typically covers the damage to your home and belongings, it often does not cover the cost of repairing or replacing the pipe itself, as this is considered a maintenance issue.
To protect your home and belongings from water damage caused by burst pipes, you may want to consider purchasing Extended Water Coverage, which is designed to protect against sewer backups, drain issues, and flooding events. This type of coverage can provide peace of mind and financial protection in the event of water-related incidents.
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Washing machine leaks
If your washing machine is leaking, you should first try to stop the leak and clean up the water to prevent damage to the surrounding area. You should then contact an assessor to get an estimate of the damage. It is also important to consult your insurance policy to see what is covered.
Homeowners insurance typically covers water damage from a leaking washing machine as long as it is not due to negligence and is sudden and accidental. For example, if a hose suddenly bursts, this would be considered sudden and accidental and would likely be covered. However, if the leak is due to a maintenance problem or has been ongoing for a long period of time, your insurance policy will most likely not cover the damage. In addition, repairs to the washing machine itself will not be covered unless it was damaged by a covered peril.
To prevent leaks from occurring, it is recommended that you replace your washing machine hose about every five years and replace the gasket on your front-loading door if it looks worn or permits any water to leak. You should also inspect your water-based appliances regularly to ensure that all water connections are secure and dry.
If you have Erie Insurance, your policy may cover water damage from a leaking washing machine depending on the specific circumstances. Erie Insurance offers Extended Water coverage, which provides protection from the backup of sewers, drains, or floods, including inland flooding, tidal water, storm surge, mudflow, and mudslide. This coverage includes direct physical loss to your home, garage, or other structures, as well as personal property that has been damaged as a result of an extended water event. However, it is important to note that Extended Water coverage is not available in all states, and there may be exclusions or limitations to the coverage.
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Flooding
Erie Insurance offers flood coverage through a partnership with American Bankers Insurance Company, a federally funded flood carrier. Flood insurance is a separate policy that you can purchase to protect your home and belongings from flood-related losses. It is important to note that flood damage is not typically covered by homeowners insurance policies, and most policies do not cover flooding.
ERIE's Extended Water endorsement provides protection for your home and personal property in the event of a sewer or drain backup, or flooding from inland flooding, tidal water, storm surges, mudflows, and mudslides. This endorsement can be added to your homeowners or ErieSecure Home policy or bundle. It is important to note that the Extended Water coverage endorsement does not satisfy mandatory flood insurance coverage required by a federally regulated lender for a home mortgage or loan.
If you are considering adding flood coverage, it is best to start the process as soon as possible, as there is typically a 30-day waiting period before your policy goes into effect. You can contact your local ERIE agent to obtain a quote and more information about the policy details.
In the unfortunate event of a flood, it is important to take immediate action to prevent further damage and protect your property. Start by stopping the source of water if possible, then contact your insurance company to report the damage. Document the damage with photographs or videos, and keep records of any expenses related to temporary repairs or cleanup. Your insurance company will guide you through the claims process and may recommend professional restoration services.
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Sewer or drain backup
With Extended Water coverage, you can have peace of mind knowing that you are protected from the financial burden of water damage caused by these events. This coverage includes direct physical loss to your home, garage, or other structures, as well as damage to personal property, including items stored in your basement.
It is important to note that the Extended Water coverage endorsement does not satisfy mandatory flood insurance requirements from federally regulated lenders for home mortgages or loans. Additionally, it does not cover damage caused by leaking or wet foundations, normal wear and tear, or maintenance-related issues.
To determine if you have coverage for sewer or drain backup, carefully review your policy documents or consult with an Erie agent. They can guide you through the process, answer your questions, and help you understand the specific coverage provided by your policy.
By adding Extended Water coverage, you can ensure that you are protected from the financial strain of water damage caused by a variety of events, including sewer or drain backup.
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Accidental damage
Water damage can be extremely expensive to repair, and it is a significant concern for homeowners. Homeowners insurance is designed to protect against financial burdens caused by property damage, personal liability, or theft.
Erie homeowners insurance typically covers water damage caused by sudden and accidental events. For example, if a tree falls on your house during a storm and water damage results, your policy should cover it. If water damage is due to a lack of maintenance or repairs, it will not be covered. For instance, if you have water damage from an ongoing leak, your homeowners insurance will not cover the damage.
If you have water damage from a water pipe that bursts, your homeowners policy may cover the damage, but there are many factors that determine if a claim is covered. For example, if you maintained a proper temperature in your home, or if you winterized your home by shutting off the water supply and draining the system, you are not likely to be found at fault. However, if you turned off the heat during cold weather without taking proper precautions, your claim could be denied.
Erie Insurance offers Extended Water coverage to protect against the backup of sewers, drains, and some types of flooding, including inland flooding, tidal water, storm surges, and mudslides. This can be added to your homeowners or ErieSecure Home policy or added as part of an ErieSecure Home Plus or Select bundle. With this added protection, you will have coverage for direct physical loss to your home, garage, or other structures, and personal property damaged as a result of an extended water event.
It is important to review your policy documents or consult with an Erie agent to determine the extent of your water damage coverage.
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Frequently asked questions
Erie homeowners insurance typically covers water damage caused by sudden and accidental events. However, the exact coverage provided depends on the policy and endorsements selected by the homeowner.
Standard homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage. However, Erie Insurance offers Extended Water coverage as an add-on to protect against sewer or drain backup and some types of flooding, including inland flooding, storm surges, and mudslides.
In most cases, Erie homeowners insurance will cover water damage from a burst pipe. However, the insurance company may deny the claim if the adjuster believes the homeowner was at fault, such as by failing to maintain a proper temperature in the home.
Erie homeowners insurance may cover water damage from a leaking washing machine if it is deemed an accidental incident. However, if the leak is due to ongoing maintenance issues or "wear and tear," it will not be covered.
If you need to make a water damage claim, you should contact your local Erie agent or the adjuster assigned to your claim as soon as possible. Take photos of the damage, protect your property from further damage, and keep any receipts for emergency expenses.
