As you begin your search for the perfect home insurance policy, it’s only natural to think about the many things that could go wrong in the future.

Before you sign on the dotted line, it’s important to understand what is and isn’t covered. This will ensure that you have the coverage you need to provide the peace of mind you deserve.

Did you know that water damage remains the number one cause of loss? It’s easy to believe you’ll never run into this problem – especially if you live in a newer home – but there’s no way of knowing what could happen.

Remember this: it only takes a small amount of water to cause a lot of damage.

Common Causes of Water Damage

Accidents happen and things break, so there’s no way to guarantee that water damage will never cause you trouble in the future (this is why you purchase home insurance).

However, with the right level of knowledge, you may be able to prevent water damage and the financial loss that goes along with it.

Here are some of the most common causes of water damage:

1. Plumbing Problems

Every home has a complex plumbing system, meaning something could go wrong when you least expect it. Consider the following:

•    A frozen pipe could burst during the winter months, leading to more water entering your home than you ever thought possible
•    Cheap builder grade toilets can leak sooner than any homeowner would expect
•    Plastic shut off valves – also used to save money – can crack or fail altogether

You get the point: there are a lot of plumbing problems lurking, all of which can cause serious damage.

2. Roof Damage

The problem with roof damage is that you aren’t likely to see it. After all, most people aren’t in the habit of climbing onto their roof to conduct an inspection.

Roof damage can occur for many reasons, ranging from old age to bad weather (such as a severe wind storm).

For example, it only takes one missing shingle for water to work its way into your home.

3. Water Heater Flooding

Most people never think twice about their tank water heater until something goes wrong.

One of the most common concerns is water heater flooding. This can happen for many reasons, most commonly when a crack develops over the course of many years.

With the average water tank storing 200+ liters of water, you can only imagine the damage if this makes its way into your home.

Final Thoughts

While it’s important to do your part in protecting your home against water damage, you never know if something bad will happen.

If it does, contact your home insurance company or broker to better understand your policy and to file a claim.