INSURING YOUR HOME
Are water leaks covered by home and contents insurance?
From appliances to plumbing, water flows through your home in many ways. If something’s leaking, it doesn’t matter how big a leak it is — dealing with it in real time can be stressful.
That’s why we’re here to help.
Does insurance cover water leaks?
Your home and contents insurance will usually cover water leaks if they’re sudden or accidental. Water leaks differ from flooding because they most often occur from within the home, as a result of appliances or plumbing, whereas flooding — at least in the language of our Home and Contents Insurance PDS — refers to water that has covered normally dry land after escaping from things like rivers, lakes and dams. Insurers may refer to a water leak as an ‘escape of liquid’.
GIO will cover loss or damage caused by liquid bursting, leaking or overflowing from appliances like your fridge or washing machine, as well as baths, sinks and toilets.
Explore GIO Home & Contents Insurance
That said, it’s your responsibility to maintain the condition of these things. If a water leak occurs because of gradual damage you could reasonably be expected to be aware of, it may not be covered. So, don’t ignore signs of water damage or slow drips, even if they seem minor at the time. Consult your PDS so you’re aware of the terms and conditions that apply to your policy.
Did you know Home Insurance policies often don’t cover loss or damage caused by things like rust and mould?
Mould can also cause health issues for some people. So, it’s always good to try and prevent it.
This video will cover some causes of mould, how to identify it, tips for preventing it, and ways to kill it.
Mould can be caused by:
Areas with poor ventilation, that can include bathrooms, laundries, and kitchens
leaky plumbing, including taps and plumbing behind walls
leaks in the roof
low levels of natural light
condensation, and flooding in the home.
Look for: Discolouration with a fuzzy appearance
Blue, black, grey, or greenish colour, although mould can be other colours too
A musty scent
Persistent cold-like symptoms in residents
Peeling wallpaper
If you can spot mould in its early stages, or areas where it’s likely to grow, you can nip it in the bud.
With mould, prevention is usually easier than cure.
Cleaning your air conditioners and fans helps prevent mould from growing in them, and helps ensure they’re effectively ventilating your home.
Check manufacturer instructions on how to clean your air con.
You might even get your AC professionally cleaned or serviced if you live in a humid or dusty area.
If you have GIO Classic Extras or Platinum cover, you’ll be covered for motor burnout if the motor is equal to or less than 10 years old.
So, if your ducted air conditioning unit motor stops working and our assessor confirms the motor has burnt out, we would cover the cost to either replace or repair the motor (whichever is less).
To find out more about getting cover for motor burnout, head to our website and get a quick quote online
Dry benches in areas that are often wet, such as laundries, kitchens, and bathrooms, with a dry towel or cloth.
Mould can grow in as little as 24 hours, so it’s best not to let any water sit for too long.
Ventilate culprit areas by switching on ceiling fans and opening windows.
In the kitchen, use an exhaust fan when cooking.
Turn on the ceiling fan when showering or taking a bath and leave it on for a while after you’re finished where possible.
If you live somewhere humid a dehumidifier — which takes moisture out of the air could be a worthwhile purchase.
These can also help relieve asthma symptoms!
Leaks in your home’s roof or plumbing issues are common causes of mould, so it’s best to act quickly.
If you’re a renter, raise the issue with your landlord or real estate agent.
If you own your home, you might want to give a roofing repair company or plumber a call.
Your Home and Contents Insurance will usually cover water leaks if they’re sudden or accidental.
Water leaks differ from flooding because they most often occur from within the home, as a result of appliances or plumbing.
Insurers may refer to a water leak as an ‘escape of liquid’.
GIO covers loss or damage caused by liquid bursting, leaking or overflowing from appliances like your fridge or washing machine, as well as baths, sinks and toilets.
Get a quick quote online.
If damage occurs because of a gradual process of liquid leaking, it won’t be covered.
So, don’t ignore signs of water damage or slow drips, even if they seem minor at the time.
Cleaning dirty gutters is important.
Gutters full of debris can cause leaks, which can lead to mould.
It may also be a condition of your home insurance to clean junk or debris out of your gutters, so failing to do so could impact any potential claim you make.
What if you’ve done everything in your power to prevent mould, but it’s still set in?
Don’t fear, there are a few ways you can help get mould under control.
Anti-mould sprays can help kill mould, as can regular spot wiping with soapy water.
Alternatively, a solution of vinegar and water, a cloth, and some muscle should give the mould a good scare
To find out more about a GIO Home insurance policy, head to our website.
What to do if something’s leaking
If something’s leaking, there are a few simple steps that may help you to feel more in control of the situation:
- Make sure everyone’s okay. Your safety, and the safety of others (including pets), is the most important thing.
- Turn off the supply of water to your home to stem the flow.
- Keep track of the damage caused. This might include keeping notes about the event details, like what happened and when, or taking photographs to visually record the damage. This documentation can assist with your insurance claim.
- Let your insurer know.
How to make a claim
If you’re a GIO customer, lodging a claim is easy. You’ll need to have your policy number, the event details (including documentation) and the details of any damaged items handy. Once you’ve put these things together, you can lodge your claim using GIO Online Services or the GIO App. Alternatively, you can call us on 13 10 10.
Emergency assistance
If you need emergency assistance call us on 13 14 46. Following a few standard privacy checks, a GIO claims consultant will:
- guide you through the process of lodging a claim and what might happen next
- assign an expert water builder to your claim if required
- arrange temporary accommodation for you if you need it, and
- confirm your excess.
Read more:
- How much should I insure my home for?
- Choosing the right optional covers for your home insurance
- Guide to prepare for floods
Insurance issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 trading as GIO. Consider the Product Disclosure Statement before buying this insurance. This advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situations or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it.