Water damage claims are one of the most frequent types of home insurance claims. Many Californians find themselves faced with different types of water damage emergencies every year.
After you’ve suffered a loss, it’s important to hire reliable water damage restoration services in San Diego County and the nearby area. The seasoned water restoration technicians will do their best to prevent further damage to your property. They will strive to create customized solutions to fit the needs of your carrier and submit consistent and fair estimates that comply with industry standards. Here is what you need to know before filing a claim:
What types of water damage are covered by insurance?
There are many different causes of water damage, but not all of them will be covered by your home insurance policy. For instance, if you have an HO-1 or HO-8 policy, you’ll have very limited water damage coverage and not many perils will be included.
On the other hand, an HO-3 policy form, also known as a special form, is the most common type of homeowners insurance, and it will include the following (as listed on the form, unless an endorsement states otherwise):
- The effects of heavy snow, ice or sleet which can cause water damage
- Freezing of plumbing and pipes (This may be excluded in certain policies unless the insured agrees to keep the property heated during the cold season, or have someone check on the property while not occupied)
- Sudden and accidental cracking, burning, bulging or tearing apart of a hot water or steam heating system, an automatic fire protective sprinkler system, or an air-conditioning unit
- Discharge or overflow of an accidental nature of water or stream
What is gradual damage?
In order to determine what types of water damage will be covered by a certain policy, we should look into the type of policy and source of the damage. However, aside from taking these two criteria into consideration, we also need to distinguish between sudden, accidental and gradual damage.
The latter means that the damage happens gradually. For example, if there is an undetected leak in your basement that is not timely fixed, it can cause mold to appear over time. Since a mold infestation doesn’t happen suddenly, it will be considered gradual damage due to water damage. Policies usually exclude this kind of damage. Here are a few more examples:
- Rot, corrosion that appeared due to untreated plumbing leaks
- Gradual roof deterioration that wasn’t timely fixed
- Damage to the walls and floors caused over time by a long-standing plumbing issue
Having this in mind, homeowners should have their properties regularly inspected by water repair specialists. This way, they will protect their homes from extensive water damage that can cost a fortune to repair and ensure that their claim is not denied in the event of a catastrophe.
Can gradual damage be covered in certain cases?
Every policy clearly states what type of damage is covered. However, the wording can be a bit tricky if you are not familiar with the terminology. Therefore, it’s best to have your agent review your policy in detail and check out the exclusions as well.
There are certain cases when gradual damage can be covered. For example, if the damage is caused by a covered loss, or in other words, if the water damage that is covered under the policy directly results in gradual damage to the property, the claim should be accepted. This is often the case with mold that has appeared as a consequence of a covered loss.
Water Damage Restoration Services in San Diego County won’t let you down!
Dealing with a water damage emergency can be a real nightmare if you don’t have a reliable restoration company by your side. KIC Restoration is a locally owned business that strives to meet its clients’ needs and requirements. We specialize in water damage, fire damage, mold, and asbestos abatement services.
KIC Restoration stands behind its quality restoration project across San Diego and beyond. We have developed respectful relationships with different insurance carriers who hold our professionalism and dedication to industry standards in high regard.
So, if your home has suffered water damage, you’ll know that you are in safe hands. With us, your only job will be to go out for a drink or simply relax at the Sunset Cliff Natural Park, while we take care of the rest.