Homeowners Insurance in Ocala, Florida

Homeowners insurance can be an essential risk management tool that offers financial protection in the face of unexpected events, such as water damage. Many homeowners each year must deal with costly damages that have resulted from water.

Understanding your insurance coverage is crucial whether it’s from a sudden burst pipe or a leaking appliance.

Which Types of Water Damage Are Covered by Homeowners Insurance?

This type of insurance can typically cover the following types of water damage:

Sudden and accidental damage—Homeowners insurance typically covers the cost of sudden and accidental water damage. Examples may include burst pipes or appliance leaks.

Fire-related water damage—If water is used to put out a fire, it may damage the surrounding area. This type of damage may be covered by your homeowners insurance.

Storms and rain—There may be limited coverage for water damage caused by heavy rain, hail or roof leaks under specific circumstances.

Water backup—This optional coverage may be added to a policy and can help cover water backups or sump pump overflow.

Examples of Water Damage Not Covered

These are examples of water damage not typically covered:

Flood damage—This type of insurance typically doesn’t cover damage from floods. Flood insurance is a separate policy for water originating from outside the home, such as from hurricanes and overflowing bodies of water

Maintenance neglect—Damage from lack of maintenance or negligence (e.g., not fixing a plumbing issue) isn’t covered.

Appliance repairs—Repairing the source of water damage (like a broken dishwasher) is your responsibility.

How Does My Deductible Work?

A homeowners insurance deductible is the amount the policyholder is responsible for paying when you file a claim. It’s separate from your annual premium, which must be paid regardless of whether a claim is made. When you experience a loss (such as damage from a fire or severe weather), you’ll need to pay your deductible first. After that, the insurance provider may cover the remaining cost of the damage.

For example, if your home’s roof is damaged during a severe storm, resulting in a repair cost of $10,000, and your insurance policy specifies a deductible of $1000. In that case, you will pay the $1,000 deductible directly to the repair contractor. Then, your insurance company may step in to cover the remaining $9,000.