Water damage is the leading cause of home insurance claims in Quebec. These are mainly due to drainage backup, frozen household appliances, broken sewage mains and broken pipes and plumbing fixtures inside the home.
Flooding
Insurers consider flooding to be a recurring and predictable weather phenomenon. This kind of water damage is therefore not covered by home insurance.
Water from outside
Claims for damage caused by water outside the home are not generally covered by your basic policy. It is therefore important to find out and, if necessary, add the required clauses. However, these additional clauses will contain coverage limits. It is therefore important to discuss your individual situation with us in order to establish a level of coverage that meets your circumstances. In some sectors, the coverage may be limited to the same maximum for everyone and cannot be exceeded.
Water from inside
Claims due to damage caused by water from inside your home are normally covered by your basic home insurance policy. But what is meant by “inside the home?”
• Pipes under sinks or washbasins: These are particularly vulnerable because of mold and the corrosion caused by humidity, and worsened by condensation from certain cleaning products.
• Toilet water lines: The flexible lines that supply water to the toilet can weaken.
• Washing machine lines: The lines that supply water to washing machines are often subject to considerable pressure that will eventually reduce their lifespan.
• Hot water tanks: Insurers estimate the lifespan of conventional hot water tanks to be around 10-13 years due to the heating element wearing out and corroding the inside of the tank.
Tips
The best way to avoid problems is to perform proper maintenance, conduct regular inspections and make necessary repairs.
• Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations when installing new equipment.
• Regularly inspect the supply and discharge pipes for your household appliances.
• In case of doubt, check with a plumber.
• Whenever possible, shut off wall faucets after each use.
• If you leave on a trip, empty the pipes and shut off the water.
• Don’t leave the house when a dishwasher or a washing machine is on.
• Have a plumber install a check valve on the sewer drain in order to prevent backflows.
• Replace your water heater every 10 years.
If you still suffer water damage after taking every precaution
• Make an inventory of your property that has been damaged or destroyed.
• Take photos or a video of your destroyed property before disposal.
• Shut off the water.
• Call us!
For more information:
Water damage from inside:
https://infoassurance.ca/en/blog/Prevention-habitation/water-inside.aspx
Water damage from outside:
https://infoassurance.ca/en/blog/Prevention-habitation/water-outside.aspx
Property inventory:
https://infoassurance.ca/en/home-insurance/insurance/property-inventory.aspx