Water damage can be one of those unexpected hassles that throws your whole day off. Imagine coming home from work, kicking off your shoes, and stepping straight onto soggy carpet. Where's it coming from, how bad is it, and what do you do next?
Whether it's a burst pipe or a sneaky leak behind your walls, water damage isn't just inconvenient, it can also be costly.
In many cases, your house and contents insurance can help cover the costs to repair the damage caused. However, whether there is cover for water damage depends on how and when the damage happened. Water damage can be a bit of a grey area, so it's important to understand the specifics of your policy.
Here's a rundown of what's usually covered under your insurance, what's not, and how to stay ahead of water damage before it becomes a bigger issue.
What water damage is usually covered by insurance?
The good news is that most house policies cover water damage caused by everyday accidents. Whether it's a ceiling collapse from a burst pipe or a flooded laundry from a faulty washing machine, you're generally covered. Here are a few examples:
Burst pipes
A classic. If a pipe suddenly bursts and causes water to gush into your home, damaging your walls, floor, or carpet, that's usually covered. This applies to pipes that burst within the walls, cupboards, floors, ceiling, or roof of your home.
It's important to note that, while damage from both indoor and underground pipes is covered, underground pipes often don't have a sudden event or visible damage, and the issue is with the underground pipe alone. This can be costly to repair and isn't covered under your insurance.
Leaking appliances
Hot water cylinders, washing machines, dishwashers, and even fridges with water connections can all spring leaks. If your washing machine hose suddenly gives way and soaks your laundry room, your policy will likely help cover the cleanup and repairs of any damage caused by the leak.
Leaking water pipe, hose, or tank
Imagine you've come home to find water pooling around your kitchen floor. A leaking water pipe has caused damage over time, and now it's come to the surface, leaving you with a watery mess.
If you have house insurance or landlord insurance with Tower, we'll repair damage to your home that is caused over time by a leak or overflow from an internal water pipe, hose, or tank.*
Our house insurance limits for hidden gradual water damage to your house range from up to $1,000 with our standard cover, to up to $3,000 with our premium cover, and up to $2,000 with landlord plus cover.
Take a look at our house insurance cover options, landlord insurance cover, or go straight to getting a quote.
What's usually not covered by insurance?
While insurance is there to help when the unexpected happens, there are some situations where water damage won't be covered - especially if it's something that's built up over time or could have been avoided.
Gradual damage
Not all water damage is obvious, like leaks that start as slow drips in your walls or ceiling. Over time, the moisture can lead to rot, mould, or damage to your home's internal structure. Because this kind of damage happens slowly and isn't sudden or accidental, it's generally not covered.
Find out more about gradual damage.
Poor maintenance or wear and tear
If damage is caused because your gutters were blocked or the seal around your bath hasn't been replaced in years, that's considered maintenance and not something insurance will usually cover.
Ignoring known issues
If you knew there was a leak or water problem and chose not to fix it, any damage that happens as a result isn't covered. Insurance is there to protect you from sudden and unexpected events, not things that could have been avoided with a bit of upkeep.
Ignoring known issues can lead to big problems down the line. Regular maintenance and checks can help you catch these potential issues early and save you a lot of hassle!
Don't forget your stuff!
While house insurance has your back when it comes to damage to your home, it doesn't cover the things inside your house. So, if a burst pipe soaks your couch, ruins your TV, or turns your wardrobe into a soggy mess, that's where contents insurance comes in. Think of it as the sidekick to your house insurance policy.
Without contents insurance, you might be left out of pocket when it comes to replacing things you use every day. So, it's worth checking you're covered for both your home and what's in it.
Whether you're flatting, renting, or own your own home, our contents insurance covers what matters most to you. With three levels of cover available - premium, plus, and standard - you can choose the one that suits your needs and budget.
What does a typical water damage claim look like?
Let's say a pipe suddenly bursts in your wall and floods your lounge. The carpet is soaked, the skirting boards are swollen, and your couch has taken a hit. In a case like this, you'd generally be covered for:
- The cost to dry and repair affected parts of your home, like the walls and flooring.
- Replacing damaged carpet or furniture (if you've got contents insurance too).
- Specialist drying and cleaning services, like hiring a dehumidifier.
Because of the damage and repairs carried out, your home may become unlivable. If you have house insurance with Tower, we'll contribute toward the cost of temporary accommodation if your home suffers damage that makes it uninhabitable as a result of an insured event.* This excludes claims for hidden gradual water damage.
Check out our behind-the-scenes story of a Tower customer's water damage claim. See how our claims team evaluated the damage and helped restore their home to its previous condition.
Top tips for a smooth claim process
If you need to make a claim for water or flood damage, here are some tips to help you through the process:
- Document everything, take photos of the damage and keep records of any urgent repairs you've done.
- Read your policy, make sure you understand what your policy covers and any exclusions that may apply. This will help you know what to expect when making a claim.
If you're a Tower customer and need to make a house, landlord, or contents claim, the easiest and fastest way to do this is in My Tower. You can save an average of five minutes, and by uploading your supporting documents and photos, we can validate your claim twice as fast. Don't have an account? Register for My Tower here.
A little prevention can go a long way
Regular upkeep can go a long way in helping prevent water damage around your home. Here are a few simple things you can do:
- Keep an eye on your plumbing, watch for leaks under sinks, around the hot water cylinder, or near the dishwasher and washing machine. Here are some more handy tips to help you avoid plumbing problems at home.
- Clear your gutters, blocked gutters and downpipes can cause water to overflow and sneak into your roof or walls, especially during heavy rain. Take a look at our tips on how to clean your gutters.
- Seal it up, make sure your windows, doors, and showers are properly sealed to stop water from getting in where it shouldn't.
- Keep an eye on your roof, loose or cracked tiles and rusting flashing can let water in. A quick roof check now and then can save you a major headache later.
Water damage can be a real hassle, but with the right insurance cover and a bit of regular home maintenance, you'll be better prepared if something goes wrong.
If you have any questions about a water mishap at your home, reach out through My Tower or call us and we'll be happy to help.
* For all of these benefits, please read the policy wording and cover documents to understand the terms, conditions, excesses, limits and exclusions that may apply.
The links we provide to third-party websites are for your convenience and do not constitute any endorsement or authorisation by us. The information provided on this page is general in nature and is not intended to be professional or legal advice. Tower does not accept any liability for the accuracy or content of information on this website that belongs to third parties or on any third-party website.
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