Every policy is different, so your own policy and your agent have the final word. Most standard homeowners policies sold in Nebraska handle water damage the same general way.
Usually covered: sudden and accidental water
Water that escapes suddenly from a plumbing system or appliance is the classic covered loss. That includes:
- A pipe that bursts, including one that froze in a cold snap.
- A water heater that ruptures.
- A washing machine hose or toilet supply line that splits.
- Rain that gets in through a roof or window damaged by wind or hail.
The policy usually pays to clean up and repair the water damage. It often does not pay to fix the pipe or appliance that failed.
Usually needs an endorsement: sump pumps and drain backups
Water that backs up through a floor drain or overflows from a sump pit is excluded from many standard policies. You get that coverage by adding an endorsement, often called water backup and sump overflow, for an extra premium. It has its own limit, which can be lower than the cost of a fully finished basement.
In Omaha, where almost every home has a basement and many older neighborhoods have combined sewers, this endorsement is worth checking for. Look at your declarations page or ask your agent.
Not covered without flood insurance: surface water and floods
Water that flows into the house over the ground from heavy rain, a creek or the river is flood damage. Standard homeowners policies exclude it. Flood coverage comes from a separate policy, usually through the National Flood Insurance Program. New flood policies typically have a 30-day waiting period, so you cannot buy one when a storm is in the forecast.
Often denied: slow leaks and neglect
Damage from a leak that went on for weeks or months, like a dripping drain under a sink or a toilet seal that leaked for a long time, is often denied as wear and tear. So is damage from a pipe that froze in a house left without heat.
When the City of Omaha might be responsible
If sewer water came up through your floor drain because the city sewer was overloaded or blocked, you can file a damage claim with the Omaha city clerk. The city asks residents to report backups to its sewer maintenance division as well. The city's adjuster reviews whether city negligence played a part, and that review can take six months or longer. File with your own insurance too, and do not hold off on cleanup while you wait.
Filing a claim
- Stop the water and start cleanup right away. Policies expect you to prevent more damage.
- Take photos and video before anything is removed.
- Call your insurance company or agent to open the claim, and write down the claim number.
- Keep every receipt: water removal, equipment, hotel nights, meals and replacement items.
- Keep samples of damaged flooring or carpet until the adjuster has seen them, if you can.
If you have trouble with a claim, the Nebraska Department of Insurance has a consumer affairs division that takes questions and complaints from policyholders.