Ways to Document Plumbing Damage to Support Your Insurance Claim

Homeowners insurance is in place to protect you when things go awry, but often insurance companies have a laundry list of policy exclusions that can make it incredibly frustrating for homeowners to file a claim, especially when they experience water or plumbing damage. To ensure your plumbing claim is approved in Colorado, it’s imperative to understand your policy and maintain good documentation. Importantly, if you notice plumbing damage, don’t wait to take action!

Common Policy Exclusions for Water Damage Claims

Insurance companies in Colorado will deny claims for a number of reasons and often point to policy exclusions as their defense. Examples of water damage exclusions insurance policies might have include:

• Long-term water leakage or seepage – One of the most common plumbing damage exclusions is language that disavows coverage for long-term, constant or repeated leakage or seepage of water. If you have a pipe leaking and it goes on for a long time, it is not covered. 

• Damage from ongoing or unresolved maintenance issues – Similarly, if maintenance has been neglected, the plumbing damage claim may be denied.

• Water/sewer backups – Damage caused by backups in municipal sewer lines or septic systems is typically not covered unless additional water backup coverage has been purchased. This exclusion comes with some grey area, however, as “sewage” and “sewer backup” can be a bit of a misnomer. People often refer to any human waste water as “sewage,” but the actual legal determination for the excluded sewage/sewer backup in some insurance policies is either a backup originating outside the property line (e.g., in the municipal sewer) or one originating in a septic system. Additionally, a break or clog in the home’s on-premises plumbing system even if it’s after a drain is also typically covered unless there’s a plumbing exclusion or limit on the policy. That means clogged toilets and clogged sewer lines that run away from the toilet or laundry and result in an accidental sewage discharge iscovered unless there’s a plumbing exclusion or limit.

• Flood damage – This one is also tricky as there are often two different things people call “flood.” The actual definition of flood as covered by National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies through FEMA and federal law is “an amount of water outdoors on the ground that damages the house.” This type of flood is typically excluded from homeowner’s insurance policies.

A second way homeowners, contractors, and the general public often use the term “flood” is when they are referring to a lot of water in their house from a roof leak or plumbing leak. This type of water damage is covered by property insurance, and should not be referred to as a “flood” when speaking with your insurance company. They may respond by saying, “Oh you said you had a flood and flood isn’t covered!”  

Ensure Sufficient Documentation to Support Your Claim

Another reason insurance companies will deny plumbing damage claims is because they will say there was insufficient documentation. Nip this potential problem in the bud by keeping records of everything. For example, if you end up with water damage from a leaking pipe, you may be able to get documents like a water bill that would show a sudden water spike around the time of your alleged leak. Additionally, if you’ve had recent maintenance or inspections done at your property, these professionals may also be able to attest to your home’s condition. In general, plumbing damage claims are only covered during sudden and accidental events. To appeal your claim denial, you’ll need to prove that your damage was not caused by an ongoing problem.

Contact an Attorney for Help

Plumbing damage can lead you down a long and frustrating road, especially if your claim is denied due to a policy exclusion or insufficient documentation. If you believe you are being treated unfairly by your insurance company, consult a legal professional who specializes in Colorado insurance claims to learn about your options. 

Our team at Kandell, Kandell & Petrie is here to help you get relief if your insurance company tries to deny or underpay you for your plumbing damage claim. Contact us today to speak to one of our Denver claims advisors to discuss your questions and concerns.