Water Damage Coverage in Bremerton, WA

Is Water Damaged Covered By My Standard Home Insurance Policy?

Water Damage Coverage in Bremerton, WAWater damage can occur in many ways in your home. Whether it is a burst pipe, a leak from your refrigerator or freezer, your house is flooded due to weather conditions, and more. It is important to understand what type of water damage is covered under your standard home insurance policy. Not all water damage would be covered in the event of a flood claim for a standard home insurance policy.

What type of water damage is most likely covered under your standard home insurance policy?

Most home insurance policies address water damage the same way as many claims and that is “sudden and accidental.” For instance, if freezing temperatures burst a pipe in your home and water leaks into the wall and causes damage or your water heater fails and contacts the surrounding drywall. Another example would be if your supply line on your toilet suddenly burst and caused damage to your bathroom.

What type of water damage is not covered under your standard home insurance policy?

If water damage occurs to your home over time, for instance, a leaky faucet or supply line that had clearly been ignored, this would not be covered by insurance as this is a maintenance issue.

When do you need flood insurance?

Water that enters your home from outside due to severe weather conditions would be considered flood damage and is not covered by a standard home insurance policy. For flood damage to be covered, you would need to carry a flood insurance policy. A flood insurance policy can be obtained possibly through your existing insurance company, or by calling our office. The cost of flood insurance will vary depending on your elevation risk. Quotes are simple and take just minutes.

Water Sewer Backup

Another water damage type of coverage that is not included in your standard home insurance policy is “Water Sewer Backup” coverage. This coverage is for when your drain lines get water forced back up them and into the home. This can occur from several different scenarios including municipal water drainage being overrun or a blocked pipe. When this occurs, you need a specific type of insurance policy to cover the damages.

If you have a question about your home insurance policy, please feel free to reach out to a licensed agent in our office. While each claims scenario is unique, prevention can oftentimes be the best course of action.

Protect your home from water damage with new technologies. Water leak alarms are a great way to ensure you don’t have water damaging your home. These small devices can be installed under sinks, near water heaters, and behind toilets easily. It is an inexpensive way to keep an eye on things in your home.

Does Home Insurance Cover Mold Issues - Bremerton, Washington

Does Home Insurance Cover Mold Issues?

Does Home Insurance Cover Mold Issues - Bremerton, WashingtonWhen we think of an issue that may arise by being a homeowner, many people wonder if their problem can be covered by insurance.

My House Has a Mold Issue, Am I Covered?

If your home develops a mold issue, is it covered by insurance? The easiest answer is most likely no. Most mold issues do not occur overnight and this is the main reason why it is not covered by insurance. Insurance carriers tend to see mold as a sign of neglect. This could occur if you have a leaking pipe or if a window isn’t sealed properly, which eventually leads to mold growth.

Some home insurance policies may name mold as a covered peril so it is important to review your coverage details or discuss coverage with your insurance agent. There also may be a few scenarios where you may be covered if your mold issue developed quickly. This could occur if you experienced water damage from a burst pipe or appliance.

Homeowners never want to deal with a mold problem and many times it can be prevented.

Tips to Avoid Mold Issues

  • If you are shopping for a home, you may want to pay for a mold inspection before you move in. Sometimes mold can be hard to detect if it is hidden inside the walls of your home or underneath your carpet.
  • Check your gutters to ensure they are free of debris. Clogged gutters can also cause more problems than just mold growth.
  • When it is a nice day, open up your windows to allow fresh air to circulate. This could decrease moisture inside your home.
  • Be aware of any leak inside your home and fix it immediately. Be sure to check your roof, as this is another common place to develop leaks.
  • Do you ever notice any condensation on your walls or windows?
  • Do you smell anything musty inside your home? This is the common scent of mold growth and it may be time to hire a professional to inspect your home.
  • Perform yearly maintenance on any appliance that uses water.
  • If you see any mold growth in your home, be sure to clean it with soap & water or a cleaner. Mold can form in many places such as your shower, toilet, sinks, inside your refrigerator, under your kitchen sink, inside your trash can, microwave, stove, window sills, mattress, vents, etc.
  • Purchase a dehumidifier and keep it on low levels in your home.
  • Always run your fan when taking a hot shower. Mold loves moisture.

We hope you never experience a mold issue, as this can cause damage to your home and your health. Preventative action is the best way to reduce your risk. If you have questions about your current home insurance policy, call our agency.

Insurance Options for Leased or Financed Vehicles in Bremerton, Washington

Insurance Options for Leased or Financed Vehicles

Insurance Options for Leased or Financed Vehicles in Bremerton, WashingtonYou have many coverage options when it comes to purchasing auto insurance. Some people choose to have the state minimum requirements, while others want more coverage protection.

If you are looking to lease or finance your next vehicle, it is important to understand what you most likely will need.

State minimum requirements include two coverages:

Bodily injury & property damage: this coverage only protects others if you are involved in an at-fault accident. This coverage will pay for damage you caused to a person’s property & if your at-fault accident caused an injury to anyone outside your vehicle and often a passenger in your vehicle.

Bodily injury & property damage coverage does not provide any coverage for your injuries or damages caused to your vehicle. State minimum requirements vary by state so depending on where you live, additional coverage may be required besides just bodily injury & property damage.

If you are leasing or financing a vehicle, you most likely will be required to carry more than just state minimum requirements on your auto insurance policy.

If you currently have state minimum requirements on your auto insurance policy but want to lease or finance a vehicle, your auto insurance premium will typically increase in cost since you need to purchase more coverage.

Additional auto insurance coverage that tends to be required when you lease or finance a vehicle:

Comprehensive coverage: this coverage can help pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it is vandalized, or damaged from a fire, wind, fallen tree, flood, lightning, or other covered weather-related incidents. It can also pay for damages caused by hitting an animal or if your car is stolen.

Collision coverage: If you cause an at-fault accident where your vehicle is damaged, this coverage can help pay for repairs or the replacement of your vehicle should it be deemed a total loss. This could include colliding with another vehicle, a guardrail, or fence.

Depending on who you lease or finance your vehicle through, you may have specific policy limit requirements you need to purchase. For example, bodily injury limits may need to be $100,000/person and $300,000/accident. To make things easier for you, ask your lease or finance company what liability limits you need to purchase. This will allow an insurance agent to provide you with the most accurate auto insurance quote.

Other coverages we recommend:

There are additional coverages that can help protect you if you get into an accident. Uninsured motorist coverage, medical payments, personal injury protection, and more. If you call us for a quote, we will explain all of your options.

Call Our Agency When it’s Time to Shop for Auto Insurance

A local insurance agent is one of the best ways to find affordable auto insurance. Especially if you currently have state minimum auto insurance, we will shop all of our insurance carriers to find the best rate.

We also have access to car insurance discounts, which will help lower your monthly or yearly premium. Call, email, or fill out a quote form on our website to get a free auto insurance quote.