Don’t get soaked: 4 ways to protect your home from water damage
As a homeowner, you likely already have a home insurance policy in place to protect your investment in your property. However, you may not be fully covered in the event of water damage. Water damage can occur in many ways, from sewer backups to overland flooding to groundwater seepage. Fortunately, there are water endorsements you can add to your policy to ensure that you’re protected in the event of water damage.
Here are four water endorsements that you should consider adding to your home insurance policy:
- Sewer Backup Endorsement: A sewer backup can cause serious damage to your home, from ruining your flooring and walls to damaging your personal property. A sewer backup endorsement will provide coverage for damage caused by water backing up through your sewer system, or water that cannot exit and overflows. This would also normally include sump pump failure if your sump pump is not working correctly or fails.
- Overland Flooding Endorsement: Overland flooding occurs when water enters your home through doors or windows that are at or below ground level. This type of flooding can be caused by heavy rainfall, rapid snowmelt, or a rise in the water table where the water flows overland and enters the home through a natural opening such as a door or window. This endorsement will provide coverage for damage caused by overland flooding.
- Service Line Endorsement: Service lines are the pipes that bring water and other utilities into your home. If a service line such as sewer, water, electrical conduit, or heating coils outside the foundation is damaged, it can lead to damage in your home. A service line endorsement will provide coverage for this type of water damage.
- Ground Water Endorsement: Groundwater can seep into your home through cracks and fissures in the foundation or floor, causing damage to your flooring, walls, and personal property. A groundwater endorsement will provide coverage for damage caused by water entering your home through these entry points.
Adding water endorsements to your home insurance policy can provide you with peace of mind knowing that you’re protected in the event of water damage.
It’s important to note that some insurance companies may restrict their ability to add new or increase existing extra water coverages during certain times of the year, such as the upcoming spring melt/flood season. This is because the risk of water damage is typically higher during these times. If you’re looking to obtain or increase your water endorsements, it’s important to check with your insurance agent to ensure that these coverages are available to you and to find out what is required on your end to obtain the coverage.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to review your policy regularly to ensure that you have adequate coverage for your needs. If you’re concerned about the risk of water damage, talk to your BSI Insurance broker about your options for increasing your coverage or adding water endorsements to your policy.