Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Water Damage? Everything You Need to Know

Q: Is water damage from a leaky roof covered by insurance?

In general, homeowners insurance covers water damage from a leaky roof if the leak was caused by a sudden, accidental event that is covered by your policy, such as a storm or falling tree. However, if the damage is the result of gradual deterioration, lack of maintenance, or flooding from rising surface water, it will not be covered.

Q: How expensive is water damage repair?

The cost of water damage repair depends on the extent of the damage and your location. According to 2025 data from the home services website Angi, the national average cost for water damage restoration is $3,828, with a typical range between $1,364 and $6,296.

Q: Does my policy pay for leak detection or water removal services?

If the water damage is from a covered event, your policy will typically pay for reasonable costs of water removal and mitigation services to dry the area and prevent further damage like mold. Coverage for 'leak detection' services to find the source of a hidden leak can vary, but the cost to access and repair the damaged area is often included.

Q: Is damage from sewer backup or sump pump failure covered?

No, damage from a sewer backup or a failed sump pump is a standard exclusion in most homeowners insurance policies. To get coverage for this type of event, you must purchase a specific 'water backup and sump pump overflow' endorsement or rider to add to your policy.

Q: Why isn't flood damage covered by standard policies?

Flood damage, which is defined as damage from rising surface water, is excluded from standard homeowners insurance policies due to the catastrophic and widespread nature of the risk. You must purchase a separate flood insurance policy, typically through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurer. It is advisable to consider flood insurance even if you don't live in a high-risk area, as floods are the most common and costly natural disaster in the United States.

By Jason Steele. September 17, 2026 · 5 minute read

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Table of Contents

When Homeowners Insurance Covers Water Damage
When Homeowners Insurance Does Not Cover Water Damage
Preventing Water Damage in Your Home
How to File a Water Damage Claim
FAQ

When you get homeowners insurance, you hope that you never need to use it. Still, it’s important to understand what your policy covers before something unexpected, such as water damage, occurs.

In general, homeowners insurance covers sudden and accidental water damage from internal causes, such as a faulty water heater or a burst pipe. It won’t cover all causes of water damage, though. If the water damage is due to flooding or lack of maintenance, your insurance likely won’t kick in.

Key Points

• Homeowners insurance generally covers sudden, accidental water damage from internal sources.

• Damage from preventable leaks and wear is usually excluded from coverage.

• Flood damage often requires separate insurance policies.

• Sewer backup and sump pump failure need additional coverage.

• Routine maintenance can help prevent costly water damage.

When Homeowners Insurance Covers Water Damage

As previously mentioned, homeowners insurance will cover water damage in certain situations. For example, your policy may likely cover roof leaks caused by a storm but not ones caused by wear and tear on roof shingles. Similarly, if a pipe bursts in your home, the damage will be covered, but fixing the pipe itself will not.

It may be worth looking into whether your homeowners insurance covers plumbing issues. If, say, your water heater, dishwasher, or washing machine suddenly fails, your homeowners insurance probably won’t pay to replace the appliance, but it will likely cover the cost of the water damage.

When Homeowners Insurance Does Not Cover Water Damage

Homeowners insurance will not cover water damage from leaks that could have been prevented through proper maintenance. So, for example, does homeowners insurance cover water damage from a month-old leaking roof? Most likely not.

Flood damage is also not covered, but you can purchase additional flood insurance coverage.

Most homeowners insurance policies will also not cover damage from sewer backup or sump pump failure unless you have additional water backup coverage within your homeowners insurance policy. If you aren’t happy with your current insurer or policy, you can always look into changing homeowners insurance.

Recommended: What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover?

Preventing Water Damage in Your Home

You can help prevent water damage in your home if you keep up with routine maintenance and upkeep of your home. Clean your gutters and downspouts regularly so that debris and leaves do not clog them and cause water overflow issues. Frequently check major appliances, such as furnaces, sinks, dishwashers, washing machines, hoses, and pipes, for leaks or other issues. If there is an issue, repair it promptly. Also, inspect your roof often for damaged, cracked, or worn shingles that could let in rain.

Keeping your thermostat high enough to prevent frozen pipes can also help prevent pipes from bursting and damaging your home or property. During the winter, shut off the water supply to outdoor faucets and drain the lines.

It is important to know where your home’s main water shutoff valve is and how to use it so that if there is an emergency water leak, you can act quickly.

How to File a Water Damage Claim

In the event your home or property takes on water damage, you’ll need to act quickly. First, identify the source of the water damage, and stop the leak if you can. You should also try to dehumidify the room or area of the house to prevent mold.

Next, document the damage with photos and videos, as this can help the insurance claim process run more smoothly. If you have any images of the same location from before the damage, that might also be helpful, although it is not a requirement. You should also take an inventory of any ruined personal belongings.

Recommended: Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Mold?

Clear communication with your insurance company throughout this process is key. Ask them for the preferred way to file a claim — in other words, online, by phone, or via the company’s mobile app — and report yours as soon as possible. An adjuster may schedule a visit with you after you file to investigate the damage.

Don’t plan to do any major work until your insurance company has reviewed the damage, though some temporary fixes are OK. For example, you might want to throw out a wet carpet to prevent mold from growing or shut off water to a broken pipe. Keep receipts from any purchases you make related to the water damage, as you may get reimbursed by your insurance company.

Recommended: How Much Is Homeowners Insurance?

The Takeaway

Water damage in your home can be highly inconvenient and expensive. The cause of the water damage may determine whether your homeowners insurance will cover the damage or not. If the water damage was due to sudden and accidental leaks, you will likely receive reimbursement. But if the damage was due to flooding, sewer backup, sump pump failure, or general wear and tear, you likely won’t receive reimbursement.

If you’re a new homebuyer, SoFi Protect can help you look into your insurance options. SoFi and Lemonade offer homeowners insurance that requires no brokers and no paperwork. Secure the coverage that works best for you and your home.

Find affordable homeowners insurance options with SoFi Protect.

FAQ

Is water damage from a leaky roof covered by insurance?

In general, homeowners insurance will cover water damage from a leaky roof if the leak was sudden and accidental and caused by a covered reason. If the water damage is due to flooding or lack of maintenance, for example, insurance likely won’t pay for the damage.

How expensive is water damage repair?

Water damage repair costs will vary depending on what needs repairing, how extensive the damage is, and where you are located. According to the home services website Angi.com, water damage restoration costs $3,868 on average, but ranges from $1,383-$6,396.

Does my policy pay for leak detection or water removal services?

Homeowners insurance generally won’t cover leak detection or water removal services. An exception may apply if the leak is caused by a sudden, accidental event, such as a burst pipe.

Is damage from sewer backup or sump pump failure covered?

Most homeowners insurance policies will not cover damage from sewer backup or sump pump failure. You need to have additional water backup coverage within your homeowners insurance policy.

Why isn’t flood damage covered by standard policies?

Flood damage is typically not covered by standard policies. However, you can purchase separate flood insurance. Even if you don’t live in an area that is flood prone, it is advisable to have flood insurance because floods are the most common and costly natural disasters in the United States.

photo credit: iStock/coldsnowstorm

This content is for educational and informational purposes only. The products, services, or features discussed may not currently be available via the SoFi platform. Any references to third-party products, services, or companies do not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or solicitation by SoFi. Readers should independently evaluate their options and consider their individual financial needs and circumstances before making any decisions. ©2026 SoFi Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.

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