Understanding Water Damage Claims: What You Need to Know

Understanding Water Damage Claims: What You Need to Know

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Water damage is a common concern for property owners and can arise from various incidents. Whether your damage is covered by insurance depends on the nature of the event. Typically, insurance policies cover sudden and unforeseen events but exclude damages due to gradual wear and tear, defective design, or poor workmanship.

What Constitutes a Claimable Water Damage Event?

To qualify as a claimable event, the damage must be:

  • Sudden and Unforeseen: The incident must occur unexpectedly at a specific time.
  • Not Related to Wear and Tear: While some exceptions exist, the damage must not stem from ongoing deterioration.

For instance, if waterproofing has worn down over time and leads to flooding during the first rains, the repair of the waterproofing may not be covered. However, any sudden resulting damage may be claimable.

Physical Damage Required: The insurer will look for tangible damage (e.g., damaged flooring, cabinets, or ceilings) resulting from the water flow. Damage such as mold typically indicates a gradual process, making it non-claimable unless recently manifested.

Exclusions: Damage caused by defective design or workmanship—like flooding due to improperly sloped landscaping—is also not covered.

Common Causes of Water Damage Claims

Typical claimable events include:

  • Storm damage to roofs causing leaks
  • Flooding from heavy rainfall
  • Blocked drains leading to interior flooding
  • Disconnection of washing machine inlets
  • Burst geysers or pipes
  • Failed waterproofing leading to leaks
  • Overflowing baths impacting lower sections

Claim Examples: When It’s Covered and When It’s Not

  1. Water Leaking Through the Roof:
    • Claimable: A cracked roof tile results in a sudden leak during a rainstorm, causing immediate damage.
    • Not Claimable: A slow leak over months leading to mold and damage from accumulated moisture.
  2. Upstairs Bath or Shower Causing Damage Below:
    • Claimable: A sudden overflow from a bath causes immediate damage to the ceiling below.
    • Not Claimable: A leak from an upstairs bath leading to gradual dampness and peeling paint.
  3. Burst Pipe Incident:
    • Claimable: If a pipe bursts, leading to damage, the insurer typically covers repairs, including replacing the damaged pipe and any associated repairs.
    • Not Claimable: Gradual leaks from old, corroded pipes are generally excluded.
  4. Deteriorated Pipe with Sudden Collapse:
    • If water suddenly appears due to a collapse, only the resulting damage is usually covered.
Warning

Exclusions from Water Damage Claims

The following scenarios typically do not qualify for insurance coverage:

  • Damage from long-term waterproofing failure
  • Ongoing leaks due to worn pipes
  • Damage from rainwater leaking through improperly sealed windows
  • Issues stemming from poor workmanship

Submitting Your Water Damage Claim

To expedite the claims process, ensure you provide the following documentation:

  1. A damage report detailing the cause, ideally from the contractor.
  2. Quotations for repairs from reputable contractors, specifying the scope of work.
  3. Clear photographs of the damages.
  4. A completed claim form.
  5. Any additional information that could support your claim.

Providing comprehensive information at the outset can significantly speed up the claims process, reducing potential queries and delays.

If you have any questions or need further assistance regarding water damage claims, please reach out to the ANGOR Team for support on insurance@angor.co.za.


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