The old, familiar adage that says spring showers bring flowers seems to omit the bit about unsightly household leaks and puddles in the basement. Perhaps rightfully so, according to claim data recently compiled by State Farm. The insurer points to plumbing and major appliances — such as dishwashers, washing machines and so on — as the cause of more than 80 percent of household leaks, which homeowners may erroneously attribute to April rain.
State Farm, which insures about one in every five U.S. homes, reported significant water damage to homes last year. In fact, in 2007 alone, more than 150,000 homeowners filed claims with the insurer after experiencing water damage from plumbing or major appliance leaks inside their homes. State Farm policyholders shelled out more than $7,500 to repair an average household leak.
"Nearly one-quarter of State Farm's total home claims result from all categories of water damage," said Betsy McDermeit, an analyst at State Farm.
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