Water Restoration Insurance Check-Up

Know What You’re Covered For Before the Water Hits the Floor.

Understanding your policy now can save you from big headaches (and big bills) later. Whether your paperwork's pristine or MIA under a mountain of mail, we’ll help you get back on track.

Understand your homeowner’s policy, avoid denial traps, and team up with your adjuster to get the coverage you deserve. Rapid Dry is here to help—before, during, and after the loss.

What do I look for on my policy?

What type of policy do you have?

What should I ask my insurance carrier?

How to get insurance to pay for water damages?

Do you know what you are covered for?

Most home insurance policies cover accidental and sudden damage caused by water. For example, a burst pipe that caused damage to a wall or floor would be covered. However, a gradual leak or seepage due to poor maintenance wouldn't be covered. Also, water damage insurance does not cover negligence.

From the Texas Department of Insurance:

Understand Your Policy Before the Leak Hits.

Learn what your homeowner’s insurance typically covers: sudden and accidental! sudden pipe bursts, appliance failures, storm-related leaks.

  1. Find out what’s often excluded: flooding from outside, mold damage, long-term leaks.

  2. Review your “declarations page” and “endorsements”—this is where the real details hide.

📄 What Do I Look For on My Policy?

Ever actually read your insurance policy? 🤔 Yeah... most folks haven’t. But knowing what’s in there could be the difference between “fully covered” and “fully frustrated.”

🏡 HO-3 – Standard Homeowners Policy (Most Common)

✔ Covers your home’s structure and personal property from most major perils
✔ Includes sudden water damage (like pipe bursts), but often excludes sewer backup, flood, and mold unless added
✔ You may have Actual Cash Value or Replacement Cost—Replacement is way better 💰

🏢 HO-6 – Condo Policy

✔ Covers the inside of your unit (walls-in), not the whole building
✔ Usually excludes exterior plumbing issues—HOA may cover those
✔ Mold, backup, and flood typically not included unless endorsed

🏠 What Type of Policy Do You Have?

Is it an HO-3? HO-5? A condo or renter’s policy? 🧾
Your policy type determines what’s automatically covered vs. what needs to be added.

🗂️ Tip: Ask your insurance agent for a “Declarations Page”—this is your policy’s cheat sheet. You don’t need to read all 60 pages (we will if you want though).

🏠 HO-5 – Premium Homeowners Policy

✔ Covers both structure and contents on an “open peril” basis—broader coverage than HO-3
✔ Great for higher-value homes and belongings
✔ Still might need endorsements for mold, flood, or sewer issues

🛋️ HO-4 – Renter’s Policy

✔ Covers your belongings, not the building
✔ Still helps if your stuff gets damaged by someone else’s pipe burst
✔ Cheap and worth it—but doesn’t cover repairs to the unit itselfand flood typically not included unless endorsed

📞 What to Ask When Calling the Insurance Company:

Starter Script:
"Hi, I’m reviewing my homeowners policy and wanted to confirm what I’m covered for in the event of water damage or a plumbing issue."

✅ Top Questions to Ask:

  1. “Am I covered for sudden and accidental water damage, like a pipe burst or AC overflow?”
    (Most policies do, but always confirm.)

  2. “Am I covered for sewer backup or sump pump failure?”
    (Usually not unless you add a specific endorsement.)

  3. “Do I have mold coverage if water damage leads to mold growth?”
    (Often limited or excluded. Ask what your limit is—$5K is common.)

  4. “Does my policy cover water damage from roof leaks or storms?”
    (May depend on maintenance issues or roof condition.)

  5. “Am I covered for flooding from outside the home, like rising water or rivers?”
    (NOPE—this needs a separate flood insurance policy through NFIP or private carriers.)

  6. “Are appliances or plumbing systems covered if they fail and cause damage?”
    (Damage usually is—repair of the source usually is NOT.)

  7. “What’s my deductible for water damage claims?”
    (Some policies have a higher deductible just for water-related claims. Oof.)

🌊 What About Flood Insurance?

⛔ Nope—not included in any standard homeowner’s policy
✔ Must be purchased separately (through FEMA/NFIP or private carrier)
✔ Essential in Texas—anywhere it rains, it can flood

Adjusters want to resolve your claim fairly—but they’re working with what they’re given. Here’s how to make sure they’ve got everything:

  • Take clear photos and videos of the damage right away

  • Keep records of where, when, and how the damage happened

  • Get professional documentation from a licensed restoration company (hey, that’s us!)

Our reports are Xactimate-ready and follow industry standards.

Your Adjuster’s On Your Team—Help Them Help You.

Connect with your local agent—your neighbor, your community ally, and your go-to for personalized help. They're here to make it easy!

💵 How to Find Your Deductible on Your Policy

Your deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. If you don’t know it—you’re gambling with your wallet. 🎲

Here’s how to find it fast:

🔍 Step-by-Step:

Grab Your Declarations Page
This is the summary sheet of your policy—it’s usually the first 1–2 pages and lists your coverages, limits, and deductibles.
Can’t find it? Call your agent or log into your insurance company’s website.

📄 How to Read Your Homeowners Insurance Declarations Page

Understanding your dec page (that’s industry slang, btw 😉) gives you power. This single sheet tells you everything your policy includes—from coverage types to deductibles and premium costs.

Let’s walk through this real example, step by step 👇

🔶 Part 1: Policy + Contact Info

🟧 (See orange box 1 on the image)

This top section lists your:

  • Policy number

  • Your name & address

  • Your insurance agent

  • Mortgage company (if you have one)

Make sure all of this is correct—especially the address and named insured. If the property address differs from your mailing address, it’ll be listed here too.

🟨 Part 2: Policy Period

🟧 (See orange box 2 on the image)

Check your effective date and expiration date. This tells you exactly when your insurance starts and stops. You do not want to let this lapse—missed renewals can leave you uninsured or cause rate hikes.

📆 Pro Tip: Set a calendar reminder 30 days before it expires.

🟧 Part 3: Coverage Breakdown

🟧 (See orange box 3 on the image)

This is where the magic (and money) lives:

  • Coverage types (Dwelling, Other Structures, Personal Property, Liability, etc.)

  • Limits – the max they’ll pay out per coverage

  • Deductibles – what you pay before insurance pays

  • Premiums – what you pay per year

Let’s break down some key ones:

🏠 Coverage A: Dwelling

Protects the structure of your home. In the example:

  • Limit: $200,000

  • Deductible: $1,000
    You pay the first $1K of a claim, and insurance pays up to $200K (if it’s a covered event).

🚪 Coverage B: Other Structures

Covers stuff not attached to your house (like a fence or shed). Included with your policy.

🛋️ Coverage C: Personal Property

Protects your belongings—furniture, clothes, electronics.
Example: $100,000 coverage with a $500 deductible.

💡 How to Add or Upgrade Coverage:

Ask your insurance rep to:

  • Add Water Backup Coverage (covers sewer/sump overflows)

  • Add Mold Remediation Endorsements (more coverage beyond base limits)

  • Upgrade from Actual Cash Value to Replacement Cost on contents

  • Add Code Upgrade/Ordinance Coverage (if your local laws require better rebuilding)

  • Bundle a Flood Insurance Policy if you’re in a flood-prone area or anywhere in Texas 🙃

🟩 Part 4: Discounts

🟧 (See orange box 4 on the image)

This lists any discounts you're getting—like multi-policy, loyalty, security system, or storm shutters. Ask your agent if you qualify for more—you might save 💰.

💡 Bonus Tip: Where to Find Your Deductible

Each section shows your deductible, but Coverage A (Dwelling) usually sets the standard.
If it says "$1,000 deductible," that’s what you’ll pay out of pocket before your insurance pays the rest. If it’s shown as a percentage (like “2% of dwelling”), you'll need to do the math:

👉 2% of $200,000 = $4,000 deductible. Ouch.

Always double-check this with your agent.

Tell Your Insurance Company That You Want an Insurance Checkup

Find your carrier below, and give them a call today!

Local Agent? Give us a call! We would love to work with you!