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Does my renters insurance policy cover water damage?
Help! A pipe just burst in my basement and there’s water everywhere! Does my renters insurance policy cover water damage?
Matt Terzi · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Oh no! A burst pipe can be a real nightmare. While most policies include protection against “water damage,” whether your renters insurance covers your instance of water damage depends on what caused the damage.
Here are sources of water damage a renters policy will cover:
- A burst pipe. It’s not your responsibility to perform regular maintenance on your pipes in a rental property, making a burst pipe something out of your control
- Leaks in ceilings or walls, like from an apartment above you
- Overflowing sinks or toilets, as long as the overflow is not the result of your negligence
- Water damage from an artificial opening in your structure. If a fallen tree or high winds rip a hole in your apartment wall, any resulting water damage should be covered
Here’s what will not usually be covered:
- Damage from a weather-related flood, like a torrential downpour flooding into your basement
- Damage from flooding caused by broken water mains
- Damage from backed-up sewers or storm drains
- Damage due to negligence, such as leaving a window or door open during a rainstorm
Make sure to review your policy thoroughly to see what will and won’t be covered—and if you need assistance, an agent would be happy to walk you through the documents.
If you live in a high flood risk area due to topography or severe weather occurrences, you’ll want to consider adding an endorsement or separate flood insurance policy.
If you want to switch providers or just review your options,
Jerry
is here to help. Not only will Jerry show you dozens of top quotes to compare, but they can also help you find a great bundling policy to save on renters and car insurance
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- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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