
Six Water Damage Gaps in Your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy

Sam Simon
May 4, 2023Having a Water-Damage-related disaster in your Chicagoland home is not the time to find out that you don't have Water Damage insurance coverage.
Water Damage insurance coverage can vary depending on the cause and the specific policy. Some losses either aren’t covered at all or they’re only partially covered.
Here are six of the most common gaps in insurance coverage for water damage:
- Flood damage:
Homeowner’s insurance typically covers water damage caused by sudden and accidental events. Burst pipes or a newly leaking roof from storm damage may be covered. However, flood damage is typically not covered under a standard homeowner's insurance policy. Damage from floods is typically defined as water that covers at least two acres of land or two or more properties. Flood insurance must be purchased separately through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurer.
- Sewer and drain backups:
These problems are typically not covered unless the policy has been specifically endorsed to include them. It’s usually available as an optional endorsement or as a separate policy.
- Improper maintenance:
Homeowner's insurance may not cover water damage caused by a lack of proper maintenance. This may include broken sump pumps, clogged gutters, slow drips by pipes, ice makers, and toilets. These can eventually destroy walls and floors. This type of damage is considered to be preventable and is the homeowner's responsibility. It is important to regularly maintain and properly care for your home and its systems to avoid potential damage that may not be covered by insurance.
- Gradual damage:
Any damage that occurs over a long period of time as a result of wear and tear or neglect is usually not covered. Examples of this are water damage from a leaky roof that has been left unrepaired or rot due to a persistent moisture problem. This type of damage is judged to be avoidable and the homeowner is accountable for it. Some insurance policies offer optional coverage for this type of damage.
- Termites:
Water damage attracts termites as wet wood makes a perfect home for them, giving them both the moisture and food they need. But homeowner's insurance typically does not cover damage caused by termites. The destruction they cause is deemed to be avoidable and is the homeowner's responsibility. However, some insurance policies may include limited coverage for termite treatment and extermination.
- Mold:
Homeowner's insurance typically covers mold damage if it’s a result of a covered event, such as a burst pipe or a storm-damaged roof. However, mold growth due to homeowner neglect, such as a continuing moisture problem, is usually not covered. Coverage for mold damage can vary greatly among insurance policies.
Homeowners need to review their insurance policy carefully to understand what is covered in the event of water damage. Consider purchasing additional coverage if necessary to fully protect your home and possessions from water-related risks.
ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons is Chicagoland’s premier water damage restoration, sewage cleanup, and mold remediation company. If you have a problem, we’ll be on-site within 2-4 hours to stop further damage and remove all water and moisture. We’ll also work with your insurance company to ensure that your property is restored to its pre-loss condition.
Call us at 773-376-1110
Sam Simon
Sam Simon is the Co-Owner and Managing Director of ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, a certified MBE/WBE disaster restoration and specialty cleaning firm proudly serving Cook, Lake, and DuPage Counties in Illinois. With over 30 years of experience in restoration project management, field operations, and emergency response, Sam plays a vital leadership role in overseeing service execution, technician development, reconstruction, and subcontractor coordination.
He holds the IICRC’s highest technical designation as a Master Fire & Water Restorer, a distinction achieved by fewer than 1% of professionals in the restoration industry. His technical scope includes water and flood damage restoration, fire and smoke recovery, mold remediation, and post-disaster reconstruction across both residential and commercial sectors.
Sam has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to helping communities in crisis. He has participated in large-scale disaster recovery efforts across the U.S., providing boots-on-the-ground leadership during Hurricanes Katrina, Sandy, and Harvey, as well as catastrophic floods, wildfires, and deep freeze events throughout Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, Texas, and beyond. His dedication to serving distressed families and businesses in the wake of national catastrophes reflects both his personal values and ServiceMaster’s mission of restoring peace of mind.
In 2019, Sam was selected for the HACIA Contractor Training Program, a competitive six-month construction management cohort offered by the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association. The program delivers intensive instruction in blueprint reading, estimating, project management, and construction law—skills that support the company’s continued growth in emergency build-back and general contracting services.
Before co-founding ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, Sam built a successful creative career under the name Sam Zabadneh, contributing to notable film and television productions including Chicago Fire (2012), Juvies (2007), and Image Union (1978). His media and videography background continues to shape ServiceMaster’s marketing strategy, digital training resources, and brand storytelling.
→ IMDb Profile
Sam is also the co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset—a practical guidebook for homeowners navigating the challenges of water, fire, and mold damage.
Under the direction of majority owner and President & CEO Nasutsa Mabwa, and with Sam’s operational leadership, ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons has earned numerous regional and national accolades, including:
Subscribe
Subscribe now for expert tips, rapid-response insights, and restoration guidance delivered straight to your inbox. Whether you’re recovering from fire, water, or mold damage, stay prepared with advice from the trusted pros at ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons.
Restoration and Recovery Tips
Get Help Now
Stop fire, water, and mold damage before it spreads! Call us day or night to restore your home or business—we’ll Get You Back to Normal, FAST!™

