Is water damage from a leak covered?

Short answer: Usually, if the leak was sudden and accidental, like a burst supply line or a failed water heater. A leak or seepage over a long time is treated differently; many Florida policies exclude seepage over 14 or more days, and many Florida insurers now limit non-weather water damage to $10,000, so call Homeland to check your policy wording before you file.

Sudden vs. long-term

Policies treat a sudden break very differently from a slow drip. Many Florida carrier forms exclude constant or repeated seepage or leakage “over a period of 14 or more days.” Even then, part of the damage may still be payable; a Florida appeals court has held that such an exclusion didn't clearly exclude the damage from the first 13 days. Long-term leak denials, explained.

The leaking part vs. the damage

Many policies pay to tear out and replace the parts of the house needed to reach the leak and the water damage it caused, but not to fix the leaking pipe or appliance itself. Read the estimate for both.

The $10,000 water cap

Many Florida insurers now cap non-weather water damage at $10,000, particularly on homes over 40 years old. Citizens caps it unless you agree to use its managed repair program. How the $10,000 sublimit works.

What to do now

Stop the water, take photos and video before anything is moved, and keep damaged materials if you can. Then call Homeland first: moisture readings and opened walls show how far the water really went.

Follow-up questions