Encountering a slab leak is the last thing you want as a homeowner, but taking proactive measures can make all the difference in whether or not you’re insured. To prevent water damage and out-of-pocket expenses, it’s important to understand how insurance companies approach slab leaks.
Luckily, our experts at Excel Adjusters know exactly what steps you need to take to have your slab leak damage covered by your homeowners insurance policy. We’ll discuss the complexities of slab leak coverage and repair, as well as what you need to know to protect your home and finances.
What Is A Slab Leak?
When a water pipe or sewer line beneath your property’s foundation becomes damaged, it can start leaking water beneath the concrete slab. This is known as a slab leak, and can cause considerable damage to the foundation, flooring, walls, and even personal property within your home.
Unfortunately, slab leaks can go unnoticed for long periods of time, resulting in further damage and decreased likelihood of insurance coverage. To prevent this from happening, it’s important to know the warning signs:
Warning Signs: How To Tell If You Have A Slab Leak
- Unexpectedly High Water Bills: Unpaired with an increase in water usage, a sudden increase in your water bill may indicate a leaking slab.
- Damp or Wet Flooring: Noticeable moisture or dampness on your floors, especially in a localized area, could indicate a slab leak.
- Cracks in Walls or Flooring: Cracking damage in your walls or flooring, especially if it's accompanied by unevenness or shifting, may be caused by a slab leak compromising the foundation's integrity.
- Running Water Sounds: If you hear the sound of running water when no taps or appliances are in use, it could indicate a leak beneath the slab.
Homeowners Insurance and Slab Leaks: What’s Covered
Whether or not home insurance will cover your slab leak largely depends on what causes the leak and how long the leak has been happening. In general, you can count on homeowners insurance coverage when the leak has been caused by a peril listed in your policy.
For example, if your insurance covers damage caused by wind, and the slab leak was caused by a tornado, the insurance company should help pay to tear out and replace the slab and repair any water damage that has occurred.
On the other hand, a leak that has gone unnoticed for months or years may be considered negligence and will be harder to claim.
Types of Coverage
When you experience a slab leak caused by an insured peril, two types of homeowners insurance coverage that may apply:
Dwelling Coverage:
This type of home coverage provides you with settlements to help repair structural damage. If you experience a slab leak, it might cover the expense of slab leak repair once the plumbing is fixed, although it's unlikely to cover the plumbing repair itself.
Personal Property Coverage:
Personal belongings coverage helps with the cost of repairing or replacing damaged assets inside your home. For instance, if your leaking slab causes water damage to your furniture, this coverage may contribute to repair or replacement costs.
Factors Affecting Coverage
Several factors can influence whether homeowners insurance policies will cover the costs of slab leak repairs:
Policy Language:
Homeowners insurance policies are worded very carefully and intentionally, so it’s important to read through what types of water damage are covered. Some policies may explicitly include coverage for slab leaks, while others may exclude coverage for maintenance issues or wear and tear.
Type of Damage:
Your insurance provider may cover certain types of damage and not others. For instance, you may receive a settlement for structural damage caused by a slab leak, such as damage to the foundation or flooring, but not for the cost of fixing the leaking pipes themselves.
Cause of the Leak:
Insurance coverage may depend on what caused the slab leak. For example, if the leak is due to sudden and accidental damage, such as a burst pipe, it’s more likely to be covered.
Extent of Damage:
The extent of the damage caused by the slab leak will also play a role in determining coverage. If the leak has resulted in significant water damage to your home or personal property, your insurance provider may be more likely to cover the cost.
What To Do If You Experience A Slab Leak
When you experience a slab leak in your home, there are a few key steps you should take to ensure coverage and reduce repair costs. Step by step, you should:
Assess the Damage
The first step in any structural or water damage scenario is to evaluate the situation. Determine the origin of the leak as quickly as possible. Due to the location of slab leaks, you may not be able to stop the leak right away.
Collect Evidence
When dealing with insurance companies, time is of the essence. You must document any and all damage you see as soon as you see it. Take photos and videos of the damage, including damp floors, walls, or ceilings, and cracks or shifting in the foundation. Do not throw anything away, as damaged assets or other items you find to serve as important evidence or may even be claimable later on.
We also recommend contacting a licensed plumber. As professionals, they can give you a timeline of how long the leak has occurred and the exact location. This makes it easier to prove eligibility for coverage.
Contact A Licensed Public Adjuster
Insurance claims can be confusing, and companies are all too eager not to cover damage whenever possible. To achieve the best possible results from your claim, you should contact a public adjuster early in the claims process.
This third-party defender is on your side, ensuring you receive a fair payout after insurance companies visit your home and inspect the damage. That way, insurance companies can’t take advantage of you when “field scoping” your property. With advanced knowledge of insurance policies and slab leak repair, your public adjuster will speak to insurance companies in a language they understand.
File Your Insurance Claim
With key evidence and a public adjuster in tow, you can feel confident when you file your insurance claim. Contact your homeowners’ insurance as soon as you have everything in order, provide them with the evidence you’ve gathered, and get them in contact with your public adjuster.
How Excel Adjusters Helps With Your Slab Leak Claim
At Excel Adjusters, our goal is to ensure your rights are upheld when you undergo the slab leak claims process. We are not provided by the insurance company, making us fully independent and able to prioritize your needs.
Expert Communication
We know the ins and outs of common insurance policies, allowing us to approach your insurance company from a knowledgeable and rational background. Considering the tricky nature of slab leaks, this communication is key to obtaining optimal coverage.
Defending Your Interests
We put your interests first, which is why we accompany the field insurance adjuster during the field scoping process and help you negotiate a fair payout. That way, the process won’t be skewed in favor of the insurance company.
Exceptional Guidance
More than just communicating with your insurance company for you, we also prioritize making sure you understand the process yourself. We’ll advise you every step of the way, managing and submitting any necessary paperwork on your behalf.
Achieving Maximum Payouts
The average slab repair costs anywhere from $350 to $20,000, and you’ll want as accurate of settlement as possible to make the right repairs. Our ultimate goal is to help you achieve the best possible payout for your insurance claim. We’ll work tirelessly each day to ensure you get the money you need to replace any damage.
Trust Excel Adjusters To Get Results
If you need to make an insurance claim for slab leak damage, consider connecting with the best public adjuster in California. Excel Adjusters offers extensive insurance claim services, so you’ll always feel like there’s someone in your corner.
From managing confusing paperwork to achieving the best possible payouts, we can do it all. We’ll guide you through the process every step of the way until you achieve the results you deserve.
So, if you’re ready to take the stress out of filing insurance claims, you can get started on our website, or contact us at (213) 800-3333.
