Is water damage to laminate covered?
Water damage to laminate is common. This can happen, for example, due to a burst pipe or rainwater that has run inside. Now of course you want to get compensation for the damage from the insurer, but does this happen just like that? In many cases your insurer will conduct a (small) investigation. Based on this investigation, it will be determined whether compensation will be paid out.
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Tips in the context of this investigation: always try to get off the water as quickly as possible and take pictures of the damage right away. The photos can become important evidence, when assessing your compensation claim.
The insurer may send an expert to you. The expert will investigate the damage and make a report of it. When the insurer sends an expert and has rejected your claim, it is always wise to hire an independent expert. Even if no expert has come by, it is wise for you to hire one yourself.
In which cases is water damage to laminate covered?
Initially, water damage is covered by your home contents insurance. However, this is subject to a number of conditions. For example, is the damage caused by your own fault or by a natural disaster? Then this damage will not be compensated in any case.
Then there are the damages that do get reimbursed! Typically, these damages fall under frozen/ burst pipes, damage contingencies, heavy precipitation and gutter/roof leaks. Unforeseen circumstances can include, for example, a leaking washing machine (provided it is properly maintained) or sewage running up through the toilet.
In these cases, chances are good that you will be reimbursed for the damage. Always check your policy to see if this is the case. It is wise to contact the insurer immediately. The sooner you notify them, the greater the chance of compensation. Did you wait too long to report the claim and knew about it? Then your claim is more likely to be denied.
In which cases is water damage to laminate not covered by contents insurance?
- Own fault. As discussed, water damage to laminate is not covered in case of own fault. Own fault can be understood to mean: damage caused by overdue maintenance, damage caused by flooding (or other large-scale natural disasters) and damage caused by negligence.
- Overdue maintenance. Damage caused by overdue maintenance often occurs with washing machines that have not been properly maintained. For example, they start leaking because the drain pipes have not been properly maintained. Not checking periodically for damage is also part of this. After all, if it is not checked, it is also not maintained.
- There is negligence if, for example, you left the window open during a heavy downpour. A small mistake can happen right? Unfortunately but your insurer is not going to reimburse you for this. Therefore, always make sure you close all windows properly.
- Floods/natural disasters. Flood damage falls under natural disasters, and damage from natural disasters is simply never reimbursed by your insurer. Insurers would go bankrupt if they did. However, you can appeal to the Damage Compensation Act. You may still receive compensation from the government!
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