Glossary · Water damage
Sudden and accidental
Insurance wording for water damage that happens all at once and unexpectedly, such as a burst pipe. Most homeowners policies cover it; slow leaks usually aren't.
Examples the Texas Department of Insurance gives of sudden and accidental water damage include a burst pipe, an overflowing toilet and a broken washing machine hose. A leak that drips for weeks or months before anyone notices is usually treated as gradual damage, which most policies exclude.
Sources
- When are water damage and mold covered by insurance?, Texas Department of Insurance
- Will my homeowners insurance policy cover water damage from a burst pipe?, National Association of Insurance Commissioners