What kinds of floods are covered by homeowners insurance?

Homeowners insurance typically does not cover damage caused by flooding from natural sources such as heavy rains, overflowing rivers, or storm surges. Instead, it covers other types of water damage, depending on the cause. Here’s a breakdown of what is generally covered and not covered by homeowners insurance in Illinois:

What is Covered by Homeowners Insurance?

1. Sudden and Accidental Water Damage:
   

   • Burst pipes
   • Water heater rupture
   • Appliance overflows (e.g., washing machine or dishwasher)
   • Rainwater entering through a damaged roof or window
     
     

2. Sewer Backup or Sump Pump Failure:

   • Often covered if you have an add-on or endorsement to your policy. This can protect against damage from water backing up through sewers or drains.

What is Not Covered by Homeowners Insurance?

1. Natural Flooding:
   
   • Heavy rains
   • Overflowing rivers or lakes
   • Storm surges
   • Rapid snowmelt

For these types of floods, homeowners need a separate flood insurance policy, typically obtained through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private flood insurance providers.

Key Points

• Sudden and Accidental Damage: If the water damage is sudden and accidental, such as from a burst pipe, your homeowners insurance will likely cover it.
• Gradual Damage: Damage due to poor maintenance, such as a slow leak over time, is generally not covered.
• Endorsements: Additional endorsements can provide coverage for specific scenarios like sewer backups, but these need to be added to your policy.
• Natural Flooding is not covered: Call us for more information on separate flood insurance.

Conclusion

Understanding the limitations of your homeowners insurance is crucial in ensuring you’re adequately protected. While homeowners insurance provides coverage for certain types of water damage, it does not cover natural flooding. To protect your home from flood damage in Illinois, consider purchasing a separate flood insurance policy.

How To Get Flood Insurance? 

Contact us to discuss your coverage needs and we will ensure you have the right protection in place!