Water leak and home insurance: what to do?

A water leak in a bathtub is easy to spot with the naked eye and can be easily repaired. However, a water leak in a pipe poses big problems, especially if it is located in a building. If you do not have multi-risk home insurance, you will not benefit from compensation or coverage for the plumber’s intervention and the cost of searching for water leaks.

How does the water damage guarantee work?

First of all, you should know that water damage coverage covers damage caused by a water leak. To benefit from compensation, in the event of a disaster, you will need to identify the origin of the leak in order to repair it quickly. However, you should know that your “water damage” guarantee can cover the repair costs and the damage caused by the flow of water, but it does not cover the costs linked to the water leak search Essonne.

Depending on the origin of the water damage (in a buried or embedded pipe, at your neighbor’s house, on a water inlet pipe, etc.), searching for a leak can be expensive and complicated.

If you live in a single-family home, then you will need to call a leak detection expert to find the source of the problem. However, if you live in a building, it is the condominium trustee who must contact a company specializing in water leak detection.

Is there a water leak detection guarantee?

Some insurance companies offer their customers a “water leak search” guarantee which covers all the costs and steps involved in finding the origin of the water damage.

Please note that the “water leak detection” guarantee cannot be activated if the intervention of the professional is limited to observing the origin of the water flow (such as a defect in the seal, a pipe break, etc.).

However, your insurance will intervene, for example when it is necessary to demolish a wall or simply dig out part of a partition to precisely locate the source of the water leak. However, if after the research carried out, it turns out that the water flow comes from a movement of the ground or a lack of maintenance, in this case, the insurance will not also intervene!

Before subscribing to the “water leak detection” guarantee, check the amount of the deductible, the compensation ceilings, and the conditions for implementing this guarantee.

What is the excess water consumption guarantee?

A water leak discovered after several weeks of its appearance can result in significant water waste, cause dramatic damage and thus increase your water bill.

In some cities, the price per m3 of water is relatively high. If you have just received an alert from your supplier about an increase in your water consumption, you should be concerned about this. In fact, an invisible water leak can appear in your floor or wall and thus lead to overconsumption.

Fortunately, some home insurance companies offer full reimbursement for excess consumption through an “overconsumption of water” guarantee which can be included in the Paris 9 water leak detection guarantee, or available as an option. .

Water damage: How to benefit from compensation?

As soon as you notice water damage, you must report the incident to your home insurance company within five working days. You can inform them by telephone or send a registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt.

When the insurer receives your declaration, it will ask for additional supporting documents: invoices, photos or any other document that can attest to the value of your damaged goods. If he considers it necessary, your insurance appoints an expert to examine and assess the damage on the premises. You can also be assisted by your own expert, but his fees are not covered by your insurance contract.

After examining your file, your insurer sends you by mail a proposal for the amount of compensation: the amount is calculated based on your invoices and documents presented and on the report written by the expert.

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