Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Water Damage?

Often, yes. If the storm creates damage that allows water into the home, most policies cover resulting interior damage.

It depends on how the water entered. Wind-driven rain can be covered; rising groundwater requires flood insurance.

It depends:

• Wind-driven water damage from a hurricane can be covered.
• Flooding from storm surge is not covered under homeowners insurance and requires a separate flood policy. 

Hurricanes are treated differently because insurers divide the damage into two categories: wind (which homeowners insurance may cover) and rising water (which they classify as flood). Even if the storm itself caused both, adjusters will separate the losses, and the flood portion is almost always excluded.

Roof damage and exterior water claims are a major headache in Florida. Insurers frequently deny them by arguing that the roof was old, worn, or poorly maintained. If the leak was caused by a sudden event (like wind damage or a fallen limb), the resulting interior damage is often covered.

Coverage depends on the cause. Sudden damage is usually covered, while gradual deterioration is not.

Yes, when the water intrusion comes from a covered peril, such as a burst pipe or storm-damaged roof.

Generally yes, if the cause of the water intrusion is covered. Insurers often try to claim “pre-existing” damage, so documentation is key.

Interior wall damage is commonly covered when it results from a sudden water event.

Only if the leak stems from sudden damage. Long-term seepage around windows is a common reason insurers deny claims.

Plumbing failures are among the most common and most disruptive sources of water damage in Florida homes. A small break inside a wall can destroy flooring, drywall, and cabinets long before the homeowner realizes what happened. Mold is another layer of complication because policies often impose strict limits or exclusions depending on how the moisture started.

Most sudden plumbing failures are covered, but insurers may deny claims tied to corrosion or lack of maintenance.

Yes. Burst pipes are among the clearest examples of sudden and accidental damage.

Usually, yes; unless the overflow is due to a sewer backup, which is typically excluded.

Only when the leak is sudden. Long-term shower pan failures or deteriorated grout lines are often excluded.

Dishwashers, washing machines, refrigerators, and other household appliances move a surprising amount of water. Most Florida homeowners policies cover water damage from a sudden appliance malfunction, but insurers frequently try to separate “covered damage” from “non-covered maintenance issues” to reduce payouts. Typically though, if the leak occurs suddenly, the damage is covered.

Homeowners can run into problems when adjusters claim an appliance failed due to age, corrosion, or improper installation. However, if the cause was accidental, such as a failed line or broken component.

Sometimes. Sudden hose failures or internal malfunctions typically fall under covered perils.

Yes, if the water heater fails suddenly. Wear and tear on the unit itself is not covered.

Interior water damage from a sudden AC malfunction may be covered; clogged drain lines or neglected maintenance may lead to denials.

Accidental overflows are often covered, but mold or long-term structural deterioration may fall under exclusions.

Backups and overflows from sewers or drains are typically excluded unless the homeowner purchased an added endorsement. Homeowners often don’t realize the exclusion exists until their claim is denied, making it one of the most frustrating categories of water damage. 

Most standard policies exclude it unless an endorsement was added.

Interior water damage is where homeowners often get mixed messages. Whether the damage is covered comes down to two things: how the water entered the home and whether a sudden, covered peril triggered the intrusion.

Not when the water comes from rising groundwater or flooding; that requires separate flood insurance. If the basement is damaged because of a sudden covered event inside the home — like a burst pipe or a plumbing failure, then the resulting repairs are often covered.

Groundwater damage is typically excluded and requires separate flood insurance.