Obamacare enrollment sinks 11% — historically low unemployment is at least partly to blame

Water damage inside a vehicle can be devastating. When it occurs, it can become hard to remove. The seats may develop mold over time. The carpeting or leather may warp. It can also cause significant damage to the engine and electronics. In this situation, your first step is to call your auto insurance company. Find out if you can file a claim. Many times, this damage has coverage. However, there are a few things to consider first. When Does Car Insurance Cover Water Damage? The cause of the water damage matters. Car insurance companies do not cover damage to a vehicle due to normal wear and tear. It also does not cover damage brought on by mistakes of the driver. For example, if you failed to repair the skylight of the car and a leak formed, your policy is not likely to provide coverage for the losses. It does cover instances when actions of Mother Nature occur. For example, a thunderstorm or flood causes damage. This does not mean it will always provide coverage, however. If you did not take the steps necessary to protect your car – and you could have – your policy may not reflect coverage. What to Do with a Water-Damaged Car If your car suffers water damage for any reason, contact your auto insurance company. Ask the company what your options are. In many cases, the insurer will provide steps for you to take. This may include having an inspection of the car completed. This will provide insight into: What caused the damage Why the damage occurred What amount of damage is present What long-term consequences are possible Can the company repair the vehicle In some cases, a significant amount of damage may warrant totaling the car. If the cost to make repairs is too high, the car insurance company can recommend this. If the damage is within the scope of the policy, the agent will provide instructions on the next steps. This includes telling you how much coverage is available for the repairs. You may have to pay a deductible as well. Water damage on cars can be dangerous. Do not put off getting these repairs cared for by a trained and trusted technician. Let your auto insurance company provide insight into what your options are for making repairs. You may be able to get the work done quickly.

Will Your Unoccupied Home Have Coverage? An unoccupied home is one in which someone is not living at the moment. It is not uncommon for a home to be ready to live in but remain empty for a period of time. However, when this happens, the home insurance agent needs to know. This information becomes critical after 30 to 60 days. If you plan to travel, it may be important to let your agent know your plans as well. Let's take a closer look at this idea. What Is an Unoccupied Home? It is important to know what insurance companies classify as an unoccupied home. This is a home with the utilities on and with furniture in place. It is the type of property a person can go back to living in right away. This is different than a vacant home. In a vacant home, the utilities are usually off. No one’s furniture is present. Most agents grow concerned about unoccupied homes left that way for more than 30 days. What Are the Risks? Imagine if the next door neighbor was gone for a few weeks. It would likely become obvious to you after some time. The same is true for any other home. Over time, people notice. This causes a higher risk of break-ins and vandalism. Additionally, unoccupied homes still have valuable belongings in them. With no one home, possessions can be a target for a thief. There is also the risk of an incident occurring and no one knowing about it for a while. For example, a pipe in the kitchen may burst and flood the home. No one knows it happened, and the damage spreads up the walls as mold sets in. This increases the cost of a potential home insurance claim. Traveling? Here Is What to Do If you plan to be away from your home for any length of time like this, call your home insurance agent. Update them of your plans. Tell your agent what steps you took to safeguard the home. This may include a security system. You may have someone visiting frequently. It is important to let the agent know. If the agent learns the house had no occupants for an extended period of time, and you didn't tell them, they may deny claims made on the home during this time. It could mean all of that water damage in the kitchen has no coverage. It is important to learn what your agent expects in terms of learning about your unoccupied home.

Share this post