How to Buy Home Insurance for a House with a Basement

There are many factors that you should consider before you buy a home insurance policy. One of these factors is whether your home has a basement. The insurance policy you choose should have adequate coverage for your home’s basement. Read this article to learn more about how to buy home insurance for a house with a basement. 

Does Home Insurance Cover a Flooded Basement? 
Home insurance policies might will cover a flooded basement caused by the following:  

• A broken appliance 
• A leaking water heater 
• A burst pipe 

If your basement floods due to a broken refrigerator, washing machine, or AC unit, your insurance policy will probably cover the cost of the water damage and repairs. However, you may need to prove that the appliance didn’t break due to lack of maintenance. The same is also true for a flooded basement caused by a leaking water heater. Neglect on your part will likely lead to a claim denial. 

Most insurance policies cover the damage from a flooded basement caused by pipes bursting from frozen pipes in the winter. Burst pipes from an appliance, AC unit, and sprinklers are also covered in the event that they freeze in cold weather. However, you will probably need to prove that you were living in the home at the time of the flooding. The main exception to this rule is if you can provide proof that you maintained the home with heat when you were away. 

What If the Damage Is Due to Flooding From a Storm? 
In general, home insurance policies do not provide coverage for basement flooding caused by a weather event, such as a hurricane, rainstorm or snow. Therefore, homeowners will need to buy a separate flood insurance policy. The policy might cover belongings, but not the structure of the basement, however. 

It is especially important for homeowners who live in areas prone to hurricanes and flooding to buy flood insurance. However, even homeowners who don’t live in flood-prone areas should think about buying flood insurance. After all, floods are this country’s most common natural disaster. 

If your home has a basement, you should have a plan in place to put into effect in the event that water-related damage occurs. It is important that you understand what your home insurance policy does and does not cover. For more information about how to buy home insurance for a house with a basement, don’t hesitate to contact us.