Homeowners Insurance And Water Leak Detection: Here’s What You 
Need To Know
If you think you have a water leak in your home, you may be wondering if your homeowners insurance will cover the cost of water leak detection services. The answer depends on the kind of leak you have and what caused it.
Water leak detection services can identify the leak, the location, and the cause. However, the reasons for the leak vary widely. Here’s a breakdown of the different types of leaks, what’s covered, and what’s not.
Slab Leak Detection
A slab leak is a leak that occurs underneath your home’s foundation, in the plumbing lines. Because of its location, these leaks are challenging to detect. Your homeowners insurance policy typically covers slab leak detection services. In addition, insurance will cover the cost of removing and replacing the slab if the slab leak was due to a burst pipe or a sudden event. If the leak was gradual, though, slab replacement won’t be covered, as this is considered a maintenance issue.
Leak Due to a Sewer Backup
A clog in your sewer line can cause wastewater to back up into your toilets, showers, baths, and sinks. If you have standard homeowners insurance, water leak detection services for a sewer backup won’t be covered. However, it’s possible to have an add-on to your insurance policy that covers sewer backup leaks and the cost of detecting them.
Structural Leak
A structural leak is a leak that weakens the structure of your home, such as your walls, roof, ceiling, or floors. Homeowners insurance doesn’t cover water leak detection services caused by structural leaks, unless the leak is due to a sudden, accidental event like a burst pipe or a fire. That’s because insurance companies consider this detection service a preventive measure rather than a response to a loss.
Slow Leak Over Time
A slow leak in your home could be due to a leaky pipe or faucet, and it’s not covered by homeowners insurance, as this is considered a maintenance issue that homeowners are responsible for. However, some policies may cover a hidden leak that was not easily detectable or visible.
Leak From a Burst Pipe
A leak from a burst pipe is usually sudden and accidental and is typically covered by homeowners insurance. Most insurance policies cover sudden or accidental water damage as well as the leak detection services needed to find the source.
Leaks From Flooding Outside the Home
Leaks from flooding outside the home may be due to heavy rains that allow water to seep in through foundation cracks, damaged roofs, or poorly insulated walls. Water can also enter due to drainage issues or improper grading.
Homeowners insurance policies usually don’t cover leaks or leak detection services for flooding outside the home. The policies cover sudden or accidental leaks that take place inside the home only. For protection against flooding, homeowners need a separate flood insurance policy.
Questions for Your Insurance Agent
If you have a leak in your home, there are specific questions you should ask before scheduling leak detection services.
Deductible
First, find out what your deductible is. That amount is what you’ll need to pay out of pocket before your insurance covers the rest. For example, if you have a $1,000 deductible, you’ll be responsible for paying the first $1,000 to the leak detection or leak repair company. So, if the total cost for detection and repairs is $3,000, you will pay $1,000, and your insurance will cover the remaining $2,000.
What Is Covered?
Homeowners insurance policy agreements can be very obscure, so it’s a good idea to talk with an agent to find out exactly what kind of leaks are covered. Here are additional questions you should ask:
- What are the exclusions or limitations in the policy?
- Does the policy cover mold remediation if the water leak caused mold growth?
- What does the claims process involve?
- What documentation is needed to submit a claim?
How Can You Tell If You Have a Leak?
While some water leaks are obvious, such as a faucet or toilet leak, others may be hidden. Hidden leaks can go unnoticed for a long time and cause an incredible amount of damage. Here are some ways to determine if you have a leak.
- Unusually high water bills: If your water bill suddenly spikes but you haven’t used more water, it’s a good sign you have a water leak.
- Water stains: Water stains on your walls, floors, or ceilings are also signs that you have a leak.
- Mold or mildew growth: If you have patches of mold or mildew growing in your home, those damp spots could indicate a leak.
- Corrosion or rust: Rust or corrosion on your plumbing fixtures could indicate a leak.
If you notice any of these signs, schedule water leak detection services as soon as possible to determine the location and the source. It’s also a good idea to call your homeowners insurance company at this point to see what types of leaks are covered.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
When you turn to Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, you’ll get state-of-the-art leak detection services. We can pinpoint the issue quickly, identifying not only the location but also the cause.
Some of the common sources of leaks include:
- Toilets
- Sinks
- Faucets
- Ceilings
- Leaks behind walls
- Leaks underneath your house
Our plumbers come with years of experience and pride themselves on their customer service and punctuality. If there’s any delay, it’s YOU we pay. We also back up our work with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Plus, there are no hidden fees, and you’ll get transparent, upfront pricing.
If you want to know how well we serve other customers, scroll through our 6,800 reviews! We have provided exceptional service over the years, and we’ll be happy to serve new customers who need our leak detection services. If you think you have a leak in your Daytona home, don’t hesitate to call us. We’ll send a plumber to your home immediately.
