If you travel for work or go south for winter, you must notify your insurer and potentially buy a vacancy permit endorsement .

| Type of Water Damage | Covered? (Standard Policy) | Fine Print Condition | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Burst pipe (sudden & accidental) | ✅ Yes | Must have maintained heat in winter (65°F minimum). | | Overflow from bathtub | ✅ Yes | Only if it's sudden. Slow leaks over weeks are denied. | | Sewage backup | ❌ No | Requires a $50 "Sewer & Drain Backup" endorsement. | | Flood (hurricane, storm surge) | ❌ No | Separate flood insurance via FEMA/NFIP. | | Groundwater seepage | ❌ No | Defined as "water below the surface" regardless of source. |

The fine print is not a mystery novel. It is a technical manual. And now you have the answer key.