It’s hard to know up front whether your homeowner’s insurance will cover foundation leaks. The cause of the leak will need to be resolved before coverage can be determined.
What may be covered: If the foundation leak is due to another covered risk such as a leaking appliance (washer or hot water heater) or burst pipe then the damage will generally be covered. These losses are considered “sudden and accidental” and almost always cover the cost of repairs.
What is most likely not covered: Repairs that should have been done as part of routine maintenance and are now creating foundation leaks are generally not covered by homeowner’s insurance.
Groundwater – Groundwater seeping into your home through cracks in the foundation is never covered by homeowner’s insurance.
Ground Settling – All homes will settle, shift and crack over time and are not covered by a homeowner’s policy. If they were covered, there would be no financial incentive for a homeowner to maintain or correct problems when they begin.
Earthquakes or Floods – Earthquake and flood insurance require separate policies as neither is part of a standard homeowner’s policy. Any damage arising from either an earthquake or flood without the additional insurance would not be covered.
Tree Roots – We have all seen a tree planted close to a sidewalk and the sidewalk is raised due to the roots. The same can happen to the foundation of your home. If water intrudes into your home due to the damaged foundation from the tree, your homeowner’s insurance will not typically cover this damage as nothing was done to prevent the situation.
If you find yourself in a situation with a foundation leak, contact JW Home Care immediately. We will work with your insurance company to discover the source of the leak and prevent secondary damage which is also required by your homeowner’s insurance policy.
