Does Renters Insurance Cover Water Damage – Whether renters insurance covers water damages or not depends solely on the cause of the damage. Renters insurance covers water damage in different events but not every situation. It covers the cost of repairs and replacements of water damage to your apartment. Renters insurance covers water damage caused by a burst pipe and the cost of repairs.
Renters insurance does not cover water damage due to storm floods or negligence in apartments. Generally, renters insurance covers damages made to your apartment either due to a fire or theft. This write-up contains every piece of information you need to know on whether or not your renters insurance covers water damage.
When Does Renters Insurance Cover Water Damage?
Generally, renters insurance covers water damage due to ice melting on the roof and seeping into your apartment or snow. It also covers unexpected pipe breaks and rain saturating your belongings after part of your roof is torn off by a storm. Aside from these, renters insurance covers your personal belongings like furniture, clothes, and electronics in your apartment. Unfortunately, your renters insurance policy does not cover physical units; instead, they are covered by the landlord’s insurance policy.
Types of Water Damage Covered by Renters Insurance
As previously stated, renters insurance covers different water damages, and due to the cause of the damage, your renters insurance will offer coverage. Some events, when renters insurance covers water damage, include:
A Pipe Burst
Renters insurance covers the damages made to your belongings if ever there is a sudden pipe burst. This damage will only be covered if it is unexpected or sudden. If the pipe has been leaking for a long time before it worsens, your renters insurance will not cover the damages made.
Rainwater Enters Your Apartment and Causes Damage
If severe weather creates a hole in your roof and heavy rain pours down through it and soaks your belongings, a renters insurance policy will cover the damages made. In cases where the rain gets into your apartment due to an open window, your renters insurance will not offer coverage for it.
Snow or an Ice Dam
Renters insurance generally covers damages due to ice and snow causing damage to your roof, allowing snow or ice to come into your apartment through the roof. Renters insurance does not cover roof damage, but landlord’s insurance policy, while belongings damage is covered by your insurance.
A Toilet Overflows
If your apartment’s toilet suddenly overflows and causes damage to your belongings, your renters insurance policy will cover the damages made. However, if your toilet overflows due to negligence, your renters policy will not cover the damages made.
Severe Water Damage Makes Your Apartment Uninhabitable
Water damage may be so severe that you will have to vacate your apartment temporarily when it is necessary. In this case, your renters insurance policy offers you additional living expenses coverage. This coverage covers the cost of temporary housing and feeding.
Damages Due to Negligence in Your Apartment
If damages are made to your belongings due to negligence, your insurance policy will not cover damages made. However, if damages are made to the building’s structure, the landlord’s insurance policy will offer coverage over the damages. But if you are responsible for accidental damages to your apartment, like walls, your liability insurance coverage will cover the cost of repairs.
Types of Water Damage That Are Not Covered by Renters Insurance
Certain incidents are not covered by renters insurance, even if it covers a variety of circumstances and occurrences. The following are some types of water damage that are not covered by renters insurance:
Water Damage from Wear and Tear
Your insurance policy only covers accidental or sudden water damage, and does not cover wear and tear. This means that a slow leak in an old pipe that has been ongoing for a long period will not be covered under your policy.
Flood Damage
Your renters insurance coverage will not cover damages to your unit brought on by flooding. You will have to get a different insurance coverage called flood insurance to cover such situations.
Sewer Line Damage
Water damages related to sewer lines are usually not covered by renters insurance policies. However, renters insurance may offer additional coverage for things like water backing up or sump overflow. In addition, this kind of damage will not be covered by your insurance coverage.
Water Damages to Your Property Due to Negligence
Renters insurance will not cover any damage to your property that results from your carelessness. For instance, if you leave the window open due to a storm causing damage to your property, you will not be covered under your insurance policy.
