The Fayette Citizen-News Page

Wednesday, July 2, 2003

Oxendine Q&A: Handling damage from leaks

Question: During all the heavy rain recently, the roof on my house started leaking.Will my homeowners insurance cover the damage to my carpet and furniture?How should I handle the damage in the meantime?

Answer: Most homeowners policies will cover your personal property on a "specified peril basis."That means that your carpet, furniture, etc., is only covered for damage from rain that enters the dwelling through an opening caused by the direct force of wind or hail.Water damage to your belongings caused by a roof leaking due to age or lack of maintenance would not be covered.Also, damage from rain or water which enters the house through openings such as windows, ventilators, chimneys or chimney flashings would normally not be covered.

Water that is considered a flood, such as waters rising from creeks, rivers, excessive runoff, etc., must be covered by federal flood insurance.

You should notify your insurer promptly of possible loss, as required by your policy.You should act quickly to prevent further damage to your personal belongings, which is also a policy requirement.

· Stop the source of the leak, which may necessitate covering the roof with a tarp or other emergency action. Keep receipts of any expenses incurred.

· Remove as much water as possible with mops or a wet vacuum. If the amount is significant, consider contacting a water extraction specialist.

· Move furniture, rugs and other wet items outside to expedite drying, preferably to a secure, dry and well-ventilated area.

· Protect repairable and undamaged items from further damage.

· Don't throw away removed or damaged materials until instructed by your insurance company.

· Improve air circulation around wet areas by running fans.Open closet and cabinet doors, and move furniture away from walls.

· In extreme situations, you may need to remove wallboard and flooring materials to dry out those areas.

· Begin the drying process as quickly as possible.Mold can begin forming within 24 to 48 hours.

· You may want to take photographs of the damage for insurance purposes.

· If you are a renter, contact your property manager immediately when you have a maintenance need related to water damage.

The sooner the affected areas dry out and the source of the leak is repaired, the better your chances of minimizing damage to your property.

Please send your insurance questions to Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine, 716 West Tower, 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Atlanta, GA30334. Or, call 404-656-2070 (toll free at 1-800-656-2298), from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, for assistance with an insurance question.TDD services available at 404-656-4031. The Web site is www.gainsurance.org.

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