{"id":895,"date":"2015-10-20T08:09:14","date_gmt":"2015-10-20T08:09:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pablobeach.shapiroinsurancegroup.com\/?p=895"},"modified":"2018-02-15T04:37:17","modified_gmt":"2018-02-15T04:37:17","slug":"water-damage-prevention-homeowners-insurance-coverage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pablobeach.shapiroinsurancegroup.com\/water-damage-prevention-homeowners-insurance-coverage\/","title":{"rendered":"Water Damage Prevention and Homeowner’s Insurance Coverage"},"content":{"rendered":"
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As hurricane season is coming to a close I\u2019m sure you\u2019re sighing a breath of relief if you avoided needing to use your\u00a0flood insurance<\/strong><\/a>. However, that flood insurance won\u2019t cover you in all instances. Not all water is created equal based on the source of the water if it damages your home. What happens if your pipes burst or there is water damage from an exploding toilet? Your homeowner\u2019s insurance policy kicks in and covers that since water damage from that source isn\u2019t included in most flood insurance packages.<\/p>\n The average repair cost for 120 square feet of water damage in southern Florida runs around $800 on the low end of the estimate. Depending on how much water damage and the level of repair you would require or want in the event of water damage, it could potentially cost hundreds more than this basic estimate. Even more than that you have to factor in the cost of the time it takes to repair your house from water damage and the displacement it could cause you and your family. Follow these water damage prevention tips and tricks to catch an issue before it gets out of hand and derails your life for the worse.<\/p>\n Water Leak Detection Alarms can run as low as $10 and potentially save a lot of hassle down the road by detecting and alerting you to a potential leak before you come upon it. Place these devices around leak-prone areas such as under sinks, behind toilets, and under water heaters and forget about them. Useful, inexpensive tools that can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars worth of water damage costs.<\/p>\n Slow leaks that are unfixed for months in seldom checked areas (such as the water heater or under the sink) typically aren\u2019t covered by\u00a0homeowner\u2019s insurance<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0since it is seen as negligence. These alarms can help you detect usually unfound leaks and prevent the growth of mold. Whether homeowners insurance covers the resulting mold is dependent on whether it was long-term neglect versus an unexpected burst pipe or something similar, and what your homeowner\u2019s insurance coverage level.<\/p>\n If and when those sensors go off alerting you to a potential leak, know where and how to shut off your water. Most toilets have a shut off valve directly behind them and most sinks and water heaters have a shut off valve underneath them.<\/p>\n Shut off valve locations to know<\/strong>:<\/p>\n If you shut off the water to your house, relieve the pressure on the pipes by running the water (both hot and cold) until it doesn\u2019t flow any more. Unnecessary pressure could cause the pipes to burst and cause more damage.<\/p>\n Most policies take 30 days after purchase to take effect, so buy homeowner\u2019s insurance before you need it. Flood Insurance covers flood damages through natural causes and doesn\u2019t cover water damage from burst or leaking pipes. Speak to an agent to determine what\u00a0type of Homeowner\u2019s Insurance<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0suits your needs and protects you in case of a water damage event.<\/p>\n Every home and property has different insurance needs, so make sure to discuss your needs and goals for coverage when you contact your insurance agent.<\/p>\nSpend a little to save a lot<\/h2>\n
Know how and where to shut off your water<\/h2>\n
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Get insured early<\/h2>\n