Can you turn to your insurance for moisture damage?

Whether moisture damage is covered by your insurance, depends on the nature of the moisture problem as well as the type of damage. Not every moisture problem as well as not all types of moisture damage are in fact within the coverage of insurance. Insurers make an important distinction here between two types of damage, causal damage and consequential damage:

• Causal damage refers to the damage from the direct cause of the problem, such as a leak in a water pipe that leads to moisture problems.
• Consequential damage on the other hand, is the damage caused by the consequences of the problem, for example, mold from moisture caused by a leak.

In most cases, only consequential damage from the types of moisture problems listed below will be compensated:

First of all, we want to emphasize that every insurance policy is different, but for the following situations, you can usually count on compensation:

• A leak in the water line. Basic insurance usually covers property damage caused by such a leak. Even if the leak only becomes visible after a longer period of time and causes moisture damage to walls or floors, insurance may intervene, provided it is within the policy terms.
• In addition, insurance often offers coverage when water seeps along the roof. This moisture problem, for example due to a leaking roof, is usually covered by fire insurance. Remember, however, that usually only consequential damage, such as water stains on the ceiling, is covered. You will have to pay for the repair of the leak itself.
• Finally, the insurance also intervenes in the case of vMorning damage from flooding or heavy rain. Sudden and unexpected water damage from broken appliances, such as a leaking washing machine, is also often fully reimbursed.

Note: damage from leaks due to negligence or overdue maintenance is usually not covered. Could you have prevented the damage in time? Then the insurance company will usually not provide compensation.

Unfortunately, there are also situations in which you cannot claim compensation. Some common situations include the following:

• For moisture damage caused by rising damp insurance does not intervene.In most cases, insurers consider this problem to be a result of negligence, such as failure to install adequate flood defenses or to maintain them in a timely manner. As a result, the cost of treating rising damp is usually not reimbursed.
• Also moisture damage caused by penetrating damp is usually not covered, again because most insurers consider damage from persistent moisture to be a result of overdue maintenance.
• The damage caused by condensation is usually not covered either. The reasoning here is often that the problem can be traced to a lack of proper ventilation, which can be easily prevented by investing in a ventilation system.

However, there are exceptions. Suppose you experience rising damp due to flooding or exceptionally heavy rainfall, sometimes insurance can provide coverage. We therefore recommend that you carefully check the specific terms of your policy.

To find out if you are at water damage in the basement claim on your insurance, you must apply exactly the same logic as above. There are only three situations where you can call your insurer:

1. If you have water in the basement due to a leak. Consequential damage, such as damaged furniture or walls, is usually covered. The cause itself (for example, the pipe) is usually not covered, especially with overdue maintenance.
2. If your wet basement is due to a leaking roof. Again, you can get compensation for consequential damages unless the leak was caused by overdue maintenance.
3. If the water in the basement is a result of flooding or stormy weather.