Dealing with flood or water damage?

Does homeowners insurance cover water damage?

Checked against FEMA and other official sources · Last reviewed October 8, 2026

The basic rule: sudden versus gradual

Washington's insurance commissioner says "homeowner insurance usually covers sudden leaks, but may not cover gradual leaks," and that "when and why water damage happens is important to getting your claim approved." The NAIC, the national association of state insurance regulators, says water damage from your home's plumbing or a leak in your roof "is typically covered," but flood damage from groundwater, rain runoff or snowmelt is not.

Texas's consumer home insurance guide lists "sudden and accidental release of water" as a commonly covered risk. Its list of commonly excluded risks includes "a continuous water leak," "wear and tear" and "flooding."

These are general descriptions. A home insurance policy is a legal contract, and the NAIC says "you should read that policy and make certain you understand its contents." Check the water damage section and the exclusions in your own policy, and ask your agent if anything is unclear. [2][3][5]

Burst pipes, frozen pipes and appliance leaks

The NAIC says homeowners policies cover damage from a "sudden and accidental" discharge from a plumbing system. Texas's insurance department gives a burst pipe, toilet overflow or broken washer hose as examples of covered sudden water damage. Washington's commissioner says leaking plumbing and a broken washing machine are usually covered "if you report them to your insurer quickly and follow their recommendations for fixing the leak."

Frozen pipes come with a condition. The NAIC says policies often cover the water damage when frozen pipes burst "if the homeowner has taken reasonable steps to maintain the pipes and keep them from freezing." Policies generally require you to keep the home at a minimum temperature, or to shut off the water if the home is vacant. If your insurer decides you neglected your plumbing, "the damage from a burst pipe may not be covered." Washington's commissioner says burst pipes, including frozen ones, are usually covered "if you heat your home properly." See frozen pipes for prevention steps.

Water heaters. The state guides we reviewed don't single out water heaters. Their examples of covered appliance leaks are washers and washer hoses. Ask your insurer how your policy treats a water heater that fails suddenly compared with one that leaks slowly. [1][2][6]

Roof leaks

The NAIC says water damage from "a leak in your roof is typically covered." It also says a homeowners policy "isn't a maintenance contract." It insures against perils such as fire, wind and hail, but you're responsible for upkeep, "such as repairing your roof when it begins to leak."

If a storm or accident damages your roof, act fast. Washington's commissioner says you'll need to fix the damage quickly to stop more water from coming in, and "your insurance won't cover water damage if you delay repairs." Texas suggests temporary repairs such as putting a tarp over a damaged roof. [2][3][4][5]

Slow leaks, seepage and wear and tear

Texas's insurance department says "most home policies don't cover water damage from gradual leaks or seepage, and that includes damage from mold." Washington's commissioner gives these examples of gradual leaks that usually aren't covered:

• Water leaking from a faucet
• Water damage from a leaking foundation, cracks in walls, or gaps between building materials

Texas's insurance department lists "damage to foundations or slabs" among the common endorsements (add-ons) that most companies offer. [1][2][5][7]

Sewer and drain backup

Water that backs up through a sewer line, drain or sump pump is usually not covered unless you add an endorsement. The NAIC says you might be able to buy endorsements for "sewer or drain backups and sump pump overflow since most homeowners policies offer limited or no coverage for these types of events."

State regulators say the same:

• North Carolina: "Losses from water backup and sump overflow are not covered under your homeowners insurance policy." The endorsement is available through most insurance companies, but it "may not be offered to you" unless you ask for it.
• Florida: backup from an outside sewer or drain may be excluded, "however this coverage may be added via endorsement."
• Minnesota: the sewer backup endorsement "varies from company to company." Some companies cover a sewer backup even during a flood, but "some companies exclude coverage for sewer backup if it happens at the same time as a flood."
• Texas lists "backup of sewers or drains" among common endorsements.

A backup endorsement is not flood insurance. New York explains that homeowners policies exclude flooding, generally meaning water coming in above the foundation, while sewer and sump backups come from lines below the foundation. New York also warns that if a flood causes your sump pump to fail, neither the flood policy nor the homeowners policy alone "is likely to cover this damage." The federal flood policy (NFIP) excludes sewer or drain backup and sump pump overflow "unless there is a flood in the area and the flood is the proximate cause" of it. Ask both insurers how your policies would apply. [4][5][8][9][10][11][12]

Mold

Mold coverage usually depends on what caused the water. Washington's commissioner says homeowner insurance "usually doesn't cover damage from mold, fungi, rust or rot," and that insurers often treat mold and rot as your responsibility "unless they come from water damage your insurance covers." Some insurers offer limited mold coverage, and you may be able to add it.

Texas's insurance department says "if mold develops on a damaged item, it would be covered," but most home policies don't pay for mold cleanup and testing after the damaged item is removed. Your insurer may let you add coverage for cleanup caused by a covered loss. Mold from gradual leaks usually isn't covered, and Texas says mold from a flood isn't covered "because home policies don't cover floods."

Texas also warns that "mold can start growing within a day after a leak," so stop the water and dry things out quickly. See mold after water damage. [1][2][3]

Flood damage

The NAIC says plainly: "Homeowners policies don't cover flood damage." Florida's regulator says the definition of flood "typically includes an overflow of inland or tidal waters and runoff of surface water from any source, or mudflow." Texas notes that "floods can happen anywhere."

To cover flood, you need a separate flood policy from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurer. If your home is in a flood plain, the NAIC says your mortgage lender will usually require it. Texas notes that "most flood policies have a 30-day waiting period before kicking in."

See what flood insurance covers, do I need flood insurance and flood insurance cost. [4][5][9]

What to do when water damage happens

• Stop the water. Texas says, "If you have a sudden leak, shut your water off at the main."
• Protect your property. The NAIC says you're required to protect your home from further damage, for example by cleaning up water from a backed-up drain. Texas warns that "your insurer may deny your claim if you don't protect your property."
• Make temporary repairs only. Don't make permanent repairs until your insurance company sees the damage.
• Call your agent or insurer as soon as possible. Ask which forms and documents you'll need.
• Weigh small claims. The NAIC notes that claims can affect your premium and renewal, and insurers report claims to databases such as CLUE. If repairs cost not much more than your deductible, you might pay for them yourself.

If the water came from a flood and you have flood insurance, see how to file a flood insurance claim. [1][4][7]

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