What is covered by water damage under contents insurance?

Water damage caused by indirect precipitation

Indirect precipitation is water that has unexpectedly entered your home by overflowing ditches, canals and quays due to heavy precipitation. A home contents insurance policy with extra comprehensive peril insurance or an All-risk home contents insurance policy will also cover this damage in most cases. However, damage caused by a breach of dikes or flooding of rivers/sea or is always excluded from coverage.

Damage caused by tap water

Damage caused by tap water is in many cases covered by home or building insurance. For example, water damage caused by water from the central heating system, water pipes or installations connected to them. Again, this only covers unforeseen situations that you could not have prevented yourself. Water damage resulting from overdue maintenance is never covered.

Many insurers offer household contents insurance. Each insurer also offers different coverages. So you cannot simply compare all providers and their products. When comparing, it is important to know exactly what the contents insurance coverage is

Insurers always state in their terms and conditions and clauses what exactly is covered. Are you comparing different providers through our website? Then pay attention to any differences in coverage. You can also always call our staff for more information on this.

What does household insurance not cover for water damage?

It makes sense that water damage due to overdue maintenance is not insured by default. This is because you could have prevented these damages yourself. Think of repairing worn seams and joints.

Water damage due to negligence (for example, leaving the sliding door or a skylight open during a heavy rain) is also not covered.

Flood damage is also not covered. This often raises questions, because there is nothing you can do about it yourself: this has nothing to do with overdue maintenance or negligence on your part. However, a flood falls under catastrophe risk. Catastrophe stands for major disaster. In such disasters, the individual insurer does not have enough money to pay for damages. In fact, often several of the insurer's customers then suffer major damage at the same time.

In these cases, the government often provides (partial) relief. You can then appeal to the Damage Compensation Act (WTS).

What should I do in the event of water damage?

You should always take as many measures as possible to limit the damage. Consider addressing the cause immediately (where is the water coming from) and getting your belongings to safety.

If possible, also take pictures of the damage. After this, you can report the damage. Are you insured through Alpina? You can report the damage by phone or completely online.

Also read:

• Is water damage to laminate covered?
• What is covered by contents insurance?
• What is contents insurance in English
• IPad cases: what is covered by contents insurance?
• What about contents insurance when living together without a cohabitation contract?
• How to make a claim on contents insurance