How to File a Water Damage Insurance Claim in Ontario

What water damage is covered by Ontario home insurance?

Every policy is different. Check your coverage with your insurer or a licensed broker before acting.

Typically covered

✓ Sudden burst pipes (not gradual slow leaks)

✓ Frozen and burst pipes in winter

✓ Appliance leaks (washing machine, dishwasher, water heater malfunction)

✓ Sudden roof leaks from storms or damage

✓ Accidental toilet overflow

✓ Plumbing system backup (if you have a backup coverage endorsement)

✓ Water from firefighting efforts (if from an insured cause)

Usually NOT covered without an endorsement

× Sewer or septic system backup (requires separate endorsement)

× Flood from outside sources — rivers, lakes, heavy rain (requires separate flood insurance)

× Gradual leaks or seepage (slow drips over time)

× Moisture or condensation buildup

× Water under the foundation

× Damage from neglect (pipe maintenance not performed)

The line between "covered" and "excluded" usually comes down to the source of the water and whether the event was sudden and accidental. Clear documentation of where the water came from is often the difference between a paid claim and a denied one. For sewer water, see whether insurance covers sewer backup in Ontario.

Protect your claim: do this first

Safety first. Do not enter a flooded area if the power may be on. In an emergency, call 911 or your utility. Do-it-yourself steps are at your own risk.

1. Make it safe. Shut off the power to wet areas before entering, and stop the water source if you safely can.

2. Photograph everything before you move it. Wide shots and close-ups of the water, the source, and every damaged item.

3. Mitigate, do not wait. Your policy expects you to limit further damage. Insurers can reduce a claim if damage is left to spread, so start extraction and drying as soon as you can.

4. Do not throw damaged items out yet. Keep them, or photograph them thoroughly, until the adjuster has reviewed. Discarded evidence is hard to claim.

5. Keep every receipt. Emergency expenses and temporary repairs are often reimbursable.

Step-by-step: how to file the claim

1. Contact your insurance company immediately. Call as soon as you discover water damage. Provide your policy number and location. Ask about coverage and emergency approval.

2. Document everything with photos and video. Before cleanup, photograph standing water, damaged areas, and affected items. Film the entire affected space. Keep receipts for any emergency measures.

3. List all damaged items. Create a detailed inventory — furniture, appliances, personal items. Include purchase dates and estimated values if possible.

4. Hire a professional restoration company. Contact us and we will connect you with a local company. Your insurer may recommend specific companies, but you typically have the right to choose.

5. Obtain a detailed repair estimate. Ask the restoration company for an itemized estimate covering water extraction, drying, repairs, and reconstruction. This estimate becomes part of your claim.

6. Submit your claim package. Gather photos, inventory, repair estimate, and receipts. Submit to your insurer. They will assign an adjuster.

The most common reasons water damage claims get denied

1. Lack of documentation. You did not photograph the damage or document affected items. Solution: Take photos immediately and keep all receipts and estimates.

2. Delayed reporting. You waited days or weeks to report. Solution: Call your insurer immediately after discovering damage — do not delay.

3. No sewer backup endorsement. Your policy does not include sewer backup coverage but the claim involves sewer water. Solution: Check your policy. Many homeowners assume they are covered when they are not.

4. Inadequate proof of loss. You cannot prove the damage was caused by a covered event. Solution: Document the water source clearly. If a pipe burst, show where it burst. If storm damage, document weather conditions.

5. Failure to mitigate damage. You did not take reasonable steps to prevent additional damage. Solution: Call a restoration company immediately. Do not leave water sitting.

Should you file a water damage claim at all?

Filing is not always the right move. Weigh three things before you call your insurer:

• Damage vs. deductible: If the repair cost is at or below your deductible, a claim pays you little and still goes on your record. If it clearly exceeds the deductible and comes from a covered, sudden source, filing usually makes sense.

• Your claims history: Several recent claims can affect your renewal. A single legitimate water damage claim rarely does.

• The source of the water: If it is an excluded cause — gradual seepage, or sewer backup with no endorsement — a claim will likely be denied anyway, so it is worth confirming coverage first.

Whatever you decide, you must still mitigate immediately. Stopping further damage is your responsibility under the policy, and acting fast protects your right to claim later.

How long do you have to file a claim in Ontario?

Report the loss to your insurer as soon as you discover it — delayed reporting is one of the most common reasons claims are reduced or denied. After you report, most Ontario policies require a formal proof of loss within a set window (commonly 90 days), backed by your documentation and a restoration estimate. The sooner you start, the stronger the file: prompt mitigation, dated photos, and a professional scope of loss are what carry a claim through to a full payout.

How a local company can help with your claim

Adjusters pay what the evidence supports. A local restoration company may be able to help you build that evidence. Ask the company which of these it offers:

1. Emergency mitigation: water extraction and structural drying, which helps you meet your duty to limit further damage.

2. Photo & video evidence: dated photos of the water level, the source, and damaged items before anything is moved.

3. Moisture mapping: meter readings and a moisture map that show how far the water travelled, including behind walls and under floors.

4. Scope of loss: an itemized description of the damage and the restoration required. Adjusters use this to set the settlement.

5. Adjuster coordination: some companies work with your adjuster directly, and some can bill your insurer directly. Ask first.

Want help with the documentation? Call (416) 525-4246 or send a request, and we will connect you with a local company.

If the damage involves a flooded basement, see our basement flooding emergency guide for Brantford — the documentation a crew collects during extraction is exactly what your adjuster needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

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