When water gets into a house, the second question after “how do I stop it?” is almost always “will insurance cover this?” We answer the phone for water damage in Azle and nearby towns, and we are not an insurance company, so we cannot tell you what your policy pays. What we can do is point you to what the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) says in plain language, so you know which questions to ask your agent. This post summarizes TDI’s published guidance and links to it.
Water damage versus flood damage
Insurers draw a line that surprises many homeowners. TDI’s page on what insurance you need for water damage explains it this way. Flood damage is caused by water from a rainstorm or a body of water that suddenly rises over a dry area and into your house. Water damage comes from pipes, water heaters, washing machines, refrigerators and other devices that hold water.
That difference matters because the two are treated differently. According to TDI, most home and renters policies cover water damage if the water comes from inside the house. Home and renters policies do not cover flood damage. In its post on burst pipes and coverage, TDI says that you need a separate policy to cover flooding and points readers to floodsmart.gov for more information. Ready.gov makes the same point about timing: it says a flood policy typically takes up to 30 days to go into effect, so the time to buy one is well before a disaster.
What “sudden and accidental” means
TDI explains that most home policies say they cover “sudden and accidental” water damage. That means a water leak or overflow that happens suddenly and accidentally. It is not a leak that has been dripping for a long time. If you notice a leak that has caused damage, TDI’s advice is to file a claim right away with your insurance company.
Put simply, a supply line that splits or an appliance hose that lets go is the kind of event the phrase describes. A slow drip behind a wall that has been wetting drywall for months is not. That is one reason it helps to catch leaks early and to write down what you find and when you found it.
Burst pipes
TDI notes that when Winter Storm Uri covered Texas in 2021, a lot of the damage was caused by water from broken pipes, and it says most homeowners policies cover water damage from leaks and broken pipes, but there are exceptions. Its advice is to always read your policy to see what is covered. We cannot tell you which exceptions apply to your policy, so that conversation is one to have with your agent. We cover the freeze itself in our post on the February 2021 freeze and burst pipes.
Mold after water damage
TDI’s page on when water damage and mold are covered by insurance says that if mold develops on an item damaged in a covered sudden and accidental loss, it would be covered. It also says most home policies do not cover water damage from gradual leaks or seepage, and that includes damage from mold. Mold from a flood would not be covered because home policies do not cover floods. TDI adds that your insurance company may let you add coverage for cleanup caused by a covered loss, and that your agent can tell you what options are available. If mold has already started in your house, our page on mold remediation in Azle explains how we remove it and dry out the source of the moisture.
Renters and belongings
TDI says that if you rent, the owner’s policy will not cover your furniture, electronics, clothing or other personal items, and it suggests considering renters insurance for your things.
What to do right after water damage
TDI’s guidance for a leak is short and practical:
- Turn the water off at the main and move valuables off the floor. TDI warns that your insurer may deny your claim if you do not protect your property.
- Make enough repairs to keep the damage from getting worse. TDI gives the examples of covering a broken window or a hole in the roof with boards or tarps, and it says to keep your receipts.
- Take pictures of the damage, since your company will ask for them.
- Do not make permanent repairs until an adjuster has seen the damage and said it is okay.
Those last two points interact with water removal. Standing water has to come out quickly, or the damage grows, and TDI’s own advice is to make enough repairs to prevent more damage. We take photos and moisture readings as we work and we can tell you what we found, which many homeowners find helpful when they talk with their insurer.
Where we fit
We do the water side of the job. Our team starts with emergency water removal in Azle to get standing water out, then dries the structure and handles cleanup, and our water damage restoration in Azle page lays out the whole process. We do not file claims, decide coverage or speak for your insurer. If you are deciding whether to call us before you call your agent, the short answer is that you can do both, and quick action protects your property either way.
To talk through what is happening, contact Water Damage Azle or call the number on this page. Our line is answered 24/7.
Sources
- Texas Department of Insurance, What insurance do you need for water damage?
- Texas Department of Insurance, When are water damage and mold covered by insurance?
- Texas Department of Insurance, Does insurance cover water damage caused by burst pipes?
- Ready.gov, Floods
- FloodSmart.gov, National Flood Insurance Program