Whether renters insurance covers water damage depends on the cause of the damage.
For instance, renters insurance will pay for damage caused by a sudden burst pipe but you likely won’t get money if a flood from a storm floods your apartment.
When Does Renters Insurance Cover Water Damage?
Renters insurance will generally pay for water damage caused by snow and ice melting on the roof and seeping into your apartment, a sudden and unexpected broken pipe, and rain drenching your belongings after a storm tears off part of the building’s roof.
A renters policy covers your personal belongings, such as your clothes, furniture and appliances. It doesn’t cover the physical unit. That’s the responsibility of landlord insurance.
Situations when renters insurance will cover you include the following.
A Pipe Bursts
Renters insurance will cover damages to your personal property if a pipe suddenly bursts.
A key part of this is that the damage must be sudden and accidental. If it was a pipe that had been slowly leaking for years, renters insurance won’t cover the damage.
Rainwater Enters the Unit and Causes Damage
A renters policy will typically cover you if severe weather tears a hole in the roof and heavy rains soak your belongings.
If rain enters your apartment through an open window, though, a renters insurance company could say you were negligent and won’t cover the damage.
Snow or an Ice Dam
Renters insurance generally covers damage caused by ice and snow that damages the building’s roof and winds up seeping through the roof and into your apartment.
A landlord’s insurance policy will cover the physical unit but your renters policy will handle your personal belongings if they’re damaged.
A Toilet Overflows
If a toilet suddenly overflows and damages your possessions, renters insurance likely will cover the damage. If you’re found negligent, though, a renters policy won’t cover the costs.
Severe Water Damage Makes Your Rental Unit Uninhabitable
Water damage might be so severe that you have to temporarily vacate the apartment while it is repaired. In such instances, renters insurance covers your additional living expenses, such as the cost of temporary housing and meals.
Your Negligence Causes Damage to the Rental Unit
A renters policy wouldn’t cover your belongings if you’re negligent. The landlord’s insurance policy covers damage to the structure. One exception is if you’re liable for accidental damage to the unit, such as the walls. In that case, your liability coverage may pay for the repair costs, up to your liability coverage limit.
For instance, if you leave a window open during a storm and rain damages the fancy hardwood floors, you may be responsible for the repair costs.
What Types of Water Damage Are Excluded?
Renters insurance covers several types of water damage, but some water-related events won’t be covered.
Water Damage From Normal Wear and Tear
Renters insurance generally only covers water damage that is the result of a sudden event that is accidental. A policy likely won’t cover damage that results from a slow leak in an aging pipe that has been going on for an extended period but has been left unreported.
Flood Damage
Renters insurance policies typically won’t cover damage caused by floods. You need a separate flood insurance policy to get such coverage.
Sewer Line Damage
Renters policies don’t usually cover water damage associated with sewer lines.
Renters insurance policies might offer add-on coverage for things like water backing up or sump overflow. In those cases, renters insurance may cover damage associated with sewer lines.
1
American Family
$149
19 states
2
Lemonade
$160
28 states + DC
3
Erie
$182
12 states
Your Negligence Causes Damage to Your Personal Property
Insurance won’t cover damage that’s due to your negligence.
For example, if you leave a window open during a storm, you’re unlikely to be covered for damage to your personal property because the damage was a result of your negligence. But your liability insurance may pay for the damage to the rental unit, which is usually what landlord insurance covers.
Does Renters Insurance Cover Water Damage From Ceiling Leaks?
If water from a ceiling leak damages some of your personal belongings, your renters insurance should cover the cost to repair or replace them up to your coverage limit. This likely won’t be the case if your negligence caused the leak.
The actual damage must be sudden and unexpected and not a ceiling leak that has left marks on the ceiling for years. The ceiling damage itself should be covered by landlord insurance.
Does Renters Insurance Cover Water Damage From My Toilet Flooding?
Your renters insurance policy should cover water damage that results from a toilet flooding over and damaging personal property. But you won’t be covered if your negligence was the source of the damage.
The liability portion of your renters insurance also will reimburse you for damage if water from a overflowing toilet seeps into the unit below yours and damages the property of your neighbor.
Does Renters Insurance Cover Flood Damage?
Renters insurance doesn’t cover flood damage. You instead need to purchase a separate flood insurance for renters policy.
Most people get this coverage through the federal government’s National Flood Insurance Program. Coverage is available for renters who live in units “above the lowest elevated floor (excluding subgrade basements),” according to NFIP.
This coverage is available as part of a contents-only flood insurance policy, up to a maximum of $100,000. NFIP has a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins, so don’t wait until a major storm is approaching to get a renters policy.
- A flood insurance policy for renters covers:
- Appliances
- Artwork
- Books
- Clothes
- Electronics
- Furniture
- Mattresses and bed frames
- Rugs
- TVs
You can also buy a flood insurance policy from a private insurance company. Those policies may offer more coverage than what’s found in a standard NFIP policy.
Does Renters Insurance Cover Busted Pipes?
Renters insurance covers water damage to your personal belongings that results from a busted pipe.
The landlord’s insurance policy covers the busted pipe itself, and any water damage to the unit that results from the broken pipe.
Does Renters Insurance Cover Water Damage From Plumbing?
Renters insurance would likely cover plumbing-related damage if it’s a sudden, accidental event, such as a pipe bursting.
Renters insurance isn’t likely to cover damage that results from normal wear and tear, such as an old pipe that has been leaking for months without anyone bothering to fix it.
Can a Tenant Be Responsible for Water Damage?
You will likely be responsible for damage costs to the building if you let a tub overflow and water damages your bathroom and your neighbors’ apartment. In that case, your policy’s liability insurance would likely cover the damage that you caused—not the landlord’s policy.
What Types of Water Damage Are Covered by a Landlord?
Landlord insurance covers water damage to the dwelling and other structures (such as a fence and shed).
Water damage covered by a landlord’s insurance policy includes damage to the structure caused by:
- Accidental leaks.
- Burst pipes.
- Ice dams.
- Water damage caused by a fire.
- Water damage caused by a roof leak.
- Water damage caused by storms.
These kinds of problems are also covered by renters insurance. The difference is that renters insurance covers your personal property. Landlord insurance covers the building.
Find the Best Renters Insurance Of 2024
How To Avoid Water Damage
You can significantly reduce the risk of water damage by taking preventative measures:
- Look for damp spots and other signs of water intrusion, especially during and after heavy rain or significant snow melt.
- Purchase a water leak detector that you can place in an area where water leaks are common, such as next to a washing machine or hot water tank. The detector will alert you when a leak occurs.
- When you leave your rental unit for a long period, such as for several weeks during a vacation, ask someone to check on your unit from time to time to make sure all is well.
- Alert your landlord right away if you notice leaking water or water damage. Small problems can become big issues if you do not address them promptly.
