Will insurance pay? Start from the cause of the water

Chosen when: What caused the damage: A burst pipe or other sudden plumbing failure

DIFS's winter-storm page says standard homeowners or business owners policies cover a wide range of winter-related disasters such as burst pipes, ice dams, wind damage and leaky roofs. That is a general statement, and each policy's terms control. Tell your insurer you have water damage and ask what coverage is available, keep receipts for emergency steps, and do not start permanent repairs until the insurer has inspected or says to proceed.

Burst pipe cleanup · A water damage insurance claim in Michigan: steps, clocks and who to call

Chosen when: What caused the damage: Sewer or drain backup; What do you hold: A water and sewer backup endorsement · or · What caused the damage: Sump pump failure or overflow; What do you hold: A water and sewer backup endorsement

DIFS says the water and sewer backup coverage pays for backup of water through a sewer or drain and for water that overflows from a sump, including backup caused by mechanical breakdown of a sump pump, up to the maximum you selected. It typically does not cover loss due to a flood, repair or replacement of a broken sump pump, or wear and tear or lack of maintenance of the pump. Ask your agent for your limit.

Sewage cleanup · Sewer backup in Michigan: coverage, the endorsement and the 45-day notice

Chosen when: What caused the damage: Sewer or drain backup · or · What caused the damage: Sump pump failure or overflow

DIFS says water and sewer backup is not automatically covered under a homeowners or renters policy, so you may be paying yourself. DIFS also says to tell your insurer you have water damage and ask what coverage is available, because causes such as sewer back-up or a failing sump pump may be covered under the policy. Ask; do not assume either way. If the backup came from a city or county system, you may have a claim against it: MCL 691.1419 requires written notice within 45 days after you discovered the damage.

Sewage cleanup · Sewer backup in Michigan: coverage, the endorsement and the 45-day notice

Chosen when: What caused the damage: Floodwater from outside; What do you hold: A flood policy

FloodSmart says the NFIP covers water that enters from the ground up, such as surge, flash flood, heavy rain or overflow of a body of water. Policies take effect 30 days after purchase, with four listed exceptions, so check your purchase date. Building coverage goes up to $250,000 and contents up to $100,000, bought separately with separate deductibles. Basement coverage is limited, mold is not covered, and temporary housing is excluded. An NFIP adjuster should show a driver's license and a Flood Control Number card.

Flooded basement · Flood insurance versus a homeowners policy in Michigan, and the 30-day wait

Chosen when: What caused the damage: Floodwater from outside

DIFS says flood damage is typically not covered unless you have purchased flood insurance, and that you do not have to be in a flood zone to experience a flood. Tell your insurer you have water damage anyway, since rainwater intrusion or a sewer backup may be covered under the policy. If the area was in a declared disaster, FEMA programs may apply; Michigan 211 connects callers with recovery programs. A new flood policy does not help this loss, because it takes effect 30 days after purchase.

Flooded basement · Flood insurance versus a homeowners policy in Michigan, and the 30-day wait

Chosen when: What caused the damage: Rain or wind through the roof or windows

FloodSmart says the NFIP does not cover water entering from the top down, such as wind-blown rain or a roof leak, so that is a homeowners question. DIFS's winter page lists wind damage and leaky roofs among the disasters standard policies cover, and says each policy's terms control. Say you have water damage, take reasonable steps such as tarping, and keep the receipts.

Storm damage · A water damage insurance claim in Michigan: steps, clocks and who to call

Chosen when: What caused the damage: Fire or smoke

MiReady says that if you are insured, contact your insurance company for instructions on protecting your property, conducting inventory and contacting fire damage restoration companies. DIFS says there is no time limit for the insurer to complete a fire investigation, so stay in contact, and says additional living expense coverage may pay for a hotel and meals while the home is unlivable. If the home is uninsured, DIFS lists the Red Cross and FEMA.

Fire and smoke · After a house fire in Michigan: the first steps, the claim clocks and the cleanup

Chosen when: Any other answers

We found no DIFS page that defines sudden damage versus gradual seepage, so we will not say a slow leak is covered or not. Read the water damage section of your policy, ask your agent in writing what it excludes, and photograph the damage with dates. Stop the leak and dry the area: your policy likely requires reasonable steps to limit the loss, as DIFS says most do.

Water damage · A water damage insurance claim in Michigan: steps, clocks and who to call