Does Homeowners Insurance Cover A Water Heater?
If your water heater breaks or malfunctions, your homeowners insurance may cover damages and repairs to the home.
Water heaters are an essential part of our daily lives, providing hot water for everything from showers to dishwashing. But like any household appliance, they can sometimes fail or cause unexpected problems which can be a major inconvenience.
When this happens, homeowners often wonder if their insurance will help with the repairs or damage. With over 20 years of experience in educating people about insurance, I’m here to break down whether homeowners insurance covers water heater issues and what you need to know to safeguard your home.
Key Takeaways
Your home insurance may cover the repair or replacement of your water heater if it’s damaged by an event, like vandalism or a storm.
If the damage is due to lack of regular maintenance or neglect, your insurance might not cover it.
To lower the chances of a water heater causing damage to your home, make sure to have it inspected every two months.
A water heater that is over 10 years old is more likely to experience problems, with leaks being one of the most common issues. Regular inspections can help catch potential problems before they cause major damage.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover A Water Heater?
Homeowners insurance can provide coverage for damage caused by a water heater, but it depends on the situation and the specific terms of your policy. To determine when coverage will apply and when it won’t, you have to understand what your homeowners’ policy will typically cover.
If your water heater malfunctions and causes water damage to your home, your insurance might cover the repairs to the home and any personal property affected.
However, if the water heater fails due to lack of maintenance or normal wear and tear, it’s unlikely to be covered. It’s important to understand your policy’s details and maintenance responsibilities to know exactly what is covered when it comes to water heater issues.
When Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Water Heaters?
Homeowners insurance can help pay for repairs or replacement of your water heater, but only in certain situations. Here’s when your insurance might cover it:
Damage From Covered Perils
Your insurance will usually cover damage to your water heater if it’s caused by a covered event, like a tornado, lightning, wind damage, vandalism or burglary. For example, if a tree falls on your water heater during a storm or it gets damaged because of vandalism, your insurance might help pay for repairs or replacement.
Breakdown Or Accidental Damage
If your water heater is damaged due to an accident or suddenly breaks down, your insurance might cover it. For example, if a pipe bursts and causes water damage to your water heater or other parts of your home, your insurance could help with the cost of repairs.
Water Damage From Heater
If your water heater leaks and causes water damage to your home, like ruining walls, floors, or furniture, your homeowners insurance may help cover the damage. This only applies if the leak happens unexpectedly, not from lack of maintenance.
Explosion Or Fire
If your water heater catches fire or explodes and causes damage to your home, your insurance may help pay for repairs. Although this is a rare event, if it happens, homeowners insurance can help cover the cost to repair any damage from the fire or explosion.
It is important that you check your policy for more details about what is covered.
When Doesn’t Homeowners Insurance Cover Water Heater?
While homeowners insurance can help with water heater damage in some cases, there are situations when it won’t cover the cost. Here’s when your insurance might not cover the water heater:
Damage From Lack Of Maintenance
If your water heater breaks down or leaks because it hasn’t been properly maintained, your insurance likely won’t cover the repair or replacement. Insurance doesn’t cover issues caused by neglect or failure to maintain your appliances.
Routine Wear And Tear
Over time, appliances like water heaters naturally wear out. If your water heater fails because it’s old or due to everyday wear and tear, your homeowners insurance will usually not cover the cost to replace it. Water heaters typically last about 10-15 years, and any issues due to aging or general use are considered your responsibility, not something insurance would cover.
Arson (Intentional Damage)
If the damage to your water heater was caused by intentional actions, like arson or vandalism that you or someone else caused on purpose, your insurance won’t cover it. Insurance only covers accidental damage, not intentional harm.
Damage From Flood
If a flood causes damage to your water heater, your homeowners insurance typically won’t cover it, as flood damage is usually excluded from standard policies. If you want protection against flood damage, you’d need to get separate flood insurance.
Damage Outside Of Covered Perils
If the damage to your water heater is caused by an event that isn’t covered by your homeowners policy, like a power surge or earthquake, your insurance won’t pay for the repairs. It’s important to understand the specific risks your policy covers.
How To File A Water Heater Claim
Filing a water heater claim with your homeowners insurance can feel complicated, but it’s easy if you follow these steps:
Check the Damage
First, take a look at the damage to your water heater. Make sure it’s something covered by your insurance, like damage from a storm or sudden failure. If it is, you can move forward with the claim.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Call or message your home insurance company to report the damage. Most companies have a 24/7 phone line or online option for filing claims. Explain what happened and ask about the next steps.
Take Pictures of the Damage
Take clear pictures of the damaged water heater and any other areas that were affected, like floors or walls from leaking water. This will help your claim. The more pictures you provide, the better.
Provide the Necessary Information
Your insurance company will ask for details to support your claim. This may include photos, a description of what happened, or a report from a professional like a plumber. Make sure you give them everything they ask for quickly.
Get Repair Estimates
You may need to get quotes from a plumber or contractor to fix or replace the water heater. These quotes will help the insurance company figure out how much to pay for the repairs.
Wait for Approval
After you submit everything, the insurance company will review your claim. If they approve it, they will let you know how they will pay for the repairs or replacement. If they deny it, ask why and if you can appeal the decision.
How Do I Prevent Water Heater Damage?
Taking care of your water heater can help prevent damage and avoid expensive repairs. Here are some easy steps to keep your water heater in good condition:
Check For Leaks Regularly
Look around your water heater for any signs of leaks. Even small leaks can cause big problems over time, like water damage to your floors or walls. If you find a leak, get it fixed right away.
Flush The Tank Once A Year
Over time, sediment can build up inside your water heater tank, especially if you have hard water. This can make the heater work less efficiently and cause damage. Flushing the tank once a year helps remove this buildup and keeps the heater running smoothly.
Set The Temperature Correctly
Keep your water heater thermostat set to 120°F (49°C). If the water is too hot, it can damage the tank and make it wear out faster. Keeping it at this temperature also helps save energy.
Check The Pressure Relief Valve
The pressure relief valve helps prevent the tank from becoming over-pressurized. Test it once a year to make sure it’s working properly. If it’s not, replace it to avoid any risks.
Have Professional Inspections
Get a plumber to inspect your water heater every few years. They can find problems early and make sure everything is working as it should. Regular inspections can help prevent expensive repairs.
FAQs
Does homeowners insurance cover a broken water heater?
Homeowners insurance may cover damage to your water heater if it’s caused by a covered event, like a storm, fire, or unexpected breakdown. But, if the damage is from lack of maintenance or care, it’s usually not covered.
Will my insurance pay for a leaking water heater?
If your water heater leaks because of something unexpected, like a burst pipe or sudden malfunction, your insurance might cover the water damage. However, replacing the water heater itself is only covered if the damage is caused by a covered event, not from wear and tear.
Does homeowners insurance cover water heater replacement?
Your insurance may cover replacing your water heater if it’s damaged by something like a fire or storm. But if it’s damaged from age, poor maintenance, or regular use, insurance usually won’t cover it. Always check your policy to be sure.
