Internal Water Leak Claims

We differentiate internal water leak claims from external ones because their causes and coverage differ significantly.  External water leaks typically result from flooding events—such as those seen after Hurricane Harvey in 2017—and are generally handled as FEMA flood claims, which are not covered under standard business or homeowner insurance.  In contrast, most policies cover water damage resulting from failures of internal water systems.  If a system within your home or business malfunctions and causes water damage, that event is likely covered.  Similarly, if interior damage is caused by a storm that creates an opening, the claim is usually covered but falls under wind or named storm coverage.

Insurance policies typically cover only sudden, accidental losses. Nearly every policy includes a seepage provision, meaning that if water damage has been ongoing for more than 14 days, it is considered a long-term event, and coverage may be denied or significantly reduced. That’s why it’s crucial to promptly report any incident, document the damage, and remediate the issue immediately. 

Equally important is securing experienced legal representation to assess your situation and advise on the best strategic course of action