Water Damage From The Dishwasher: Is It Covered By Homeowners Insurance?
Posted on: 25 November 2014
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If you have noticed water damage near or around the area of your dishwasher, you may want to file a claim with your homeowners insurance. While many of these claims are substantiated, there may be times when the insurer may not be willing to cover the damages. Here are some things that the insurance company may ask about:
Is the Dishwasher Old or Neglected?
If you have an older dishwasher, it may be a little more difficult to get your repair costs covered by your insurer. They may say that you should have replaced your dishwasher long before the leak occurred. The same goes if you have neglected the plumbing that leads to the dishwasher. If you have failed to maintain the water line that leads to the dishwasher, any damages from water leaks may not be covered by insurance. To keep this from happening, you should check your water lines often to ensure they are in good shape. If your dishwasher begins to show its age by not getting dishes clean or not running properly, you should either replace it or have it repaired by a technician. Be sure to keep any service receipts to show that you had the dishwasher repaired in the event they do not want to cover the damage.
Were Any Changes Made by a Contractor?
If you recently had any kitchen remodeling done by a third-party contractor, including moving your dishwasher, any damage caused by leaks may not be covered by insurance. When a manufacturer installs a dishwasher, it is often covered by a warranty. However, if the dishwasher is moved or otherwise tampered with, that warranty could be voided. The same goes for many insurance companies. If the remodel included disconnecting the dishwasher and then the contractor didn't reconnect it properly, the insurer may say that the contractor is at fault and should be responsible for any water damage.
Did the Leak Occur Suddenly?
If your dishwasher began to leak suddenly, especially if it is a newer model, the insurance company may be more willing to cover any water damage. If you can prove that the leak did not occur due to poor maintenance or there is no wear and tear on the dishwasher, you are also likely to be covered for any damaged caused by the leak. If the leak has been present for a long period of time, however, they may not be as willing to cover the damage.
Water damage can be a difficult fix, so it is important that you have it repaired by a company like ServiceMaster Of Edmonton Disaster Restoration as soon as possible. Extended water damage can lead to further damage the longer it is present. If you think that your damage should be covered by your homeowners insurance, be sure to file a claim with your agent as soon as you notice the damage.