A leaking dishwasher could cause extensive damage to your home, including flooring, cabinets, and walls, and even to the unit below. Often, significant damage occurs before water starts to pool visibly. Luckily, home insurance often covers sudden and accidental water damage, including from a dishwasher, but not always. Many policies exclude long-term leaks, wear and tear, and poor maintenance.
To determine if home insurance covers a leaking dishwasher, our team consulted Insurance Bureau of Canada’s water-damage guide and IBC’s home-claim instructions. We also read the federal home-insurance guide and the General Insurance OmbudService’s dishwasher-leak case study.
Does Home Insurance Cover a Leaking Dishwasher?
Sometimes, depending on the cause, your home insurance may cover sudden and accidental water damage. For example, your policy may pay for water-damaged floors, drywall, cabinets, or other property, minus your deductible, but probably won’t pay to replace the dishwasher.
The location of the leak, whether from the door or underneath, doesn’t necessarily affect coverage. Dishwashers with leaks that slowly develop due to worn-out parts, rust or lack of maintenance may not be covered. Adjusters may consider the cause of the leak, how long the water may have leaked, signs of water damage, your policy details, and other evidence to decide whether to approve your claim.
What to Do Right Away
- Stop using your dishwasher.
- Shut off the water to the dishwasher if you can do so safely.
- Do not touch wet electrical items. Switch off the breaker only if you can do so safely, or call an electrician or emergency service to disconnect the dishwasher.
- Take photos of the water, the source of the leak, the dishwasher, damage to floors or cabinets, damage to the ceiling below, and other damaged items before cleaning up.
- Keep a dated list of people contacted.
- Save all receipts for cleanup or drying costs, temporary accommodations, and repaired or replaced items.
- If it is safe, remove dry belongings from the area and extract the water.
- Arrange to have the area dried, especially if water may have reached floors, walls or other units.
- Contact your insurer or broker as soon as possible.
- Renters and condo unit owners should notify their landlord, property manager or condo corporation.
- Do not dispose of the dishwasher, faulty parts or hose unless this poses a hazard. Keep records of faulty components.
- Do not dispose of items or make permanent repairs until the insurer has inspected the dishwasher or faulty items and given permission.
Are Damages from a Leaking Dishwasher Covered by Insurance?
| Part of the loss | Possible policy response | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Home structure | Damage caused by a leaking dishwasher may be covered by a homeowner policy. | Covered water damage, exclusions, deductible and basis of settlement |
| Condo unit | Personal property, improvements, additional living expenses and assessment coverage may be covered. | Where the unit ends, the corporation’s deductible, bylaws and insurance policy |
| Tenant belongings | Tenant insurance may cover damaged belongings and additional living costs from a covered loss. | Contents limit, temporary-accommodation limit, deductible and covered perils |
| Damage to another unit or landlord property | Damage may be covered by the insured’s liability insurance if the insured is legally liable. | Do not admit fault; send demands or notices to the insurer |
| Dishwasher or failed part | Appliance warranties or optional equipment-breakdown coverage may help. In general, insurers do not cover the item that caused the loss. | Cause, warranty, endorsement and service contract |
Read More: See How Home Insurance Treats Water Leaks
Why Is My Dishwasher Leaking?
| Possible cause | Clues | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Door gasket, latch or hinge | A leak at the front of the dishwasher may mean the seal is damaged or the door is not closing properly. | Stop using your dishwasher and check its seal and alignment. |
| Wrong detergent or overloading | Excessive soap suds, a blocked spray arm or water being forced through the dishwasher door | Follow the instructions and use only dishwasher detergent. |
| Supply or drain hose | Water or dampness underneath or behind the dishwasher, a loose clamp, or a broken or split hose | Turn off the water to your dishwasher and have the connection checked. |
| Filter or drain blockage | Leaks, standing water, slow draining or backup during or after use | Stop the cycle and follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. If it’s still leaking after cleaning, call a technician. |
| Pump, valve, tub or internal part | The dishwasher leaks during the fill, wash or drain cycle, but the source is not apparent. | Stop using the dishwasher and have someone diagnose it. |
| Installation or levelling | A strained hose, poorly aligned door, or leaks during the first few uses | Stop using the dishwasher and call the installer or a qualified trade. |
Why the Cause and Timeline Matter More Than the Leak Location
Useful evidence includes the date the dishwasher last worked properly and the date water was first seen or smelled; photos taken before drying out; moisture readings; a plumber’s report on the cause; past repair history; and evidence of damage to cabinetry, subflooring or ceilings below.
One case from the General Insurance OmbudService turned not upon where the water was coming from, but whether the policyholder could establish that it was leaking suddenly rather than continuously.
Filing a Claim for a Leaking Dishwasher
| Ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| What damage appears covered, and what is excluded? | This includes damage to the building and personal property due to the dishwasher’s leak. |
| What deductible applies? | If the estimate is close to or less than your deductible, that might change whether it’s worthwhile to make a claim. |
| May I begin emergency drying or remove materials? | Take steps to limit further damage but preserve evidence of the leak and damage. Follow any instructions given by your insurer. |
| Will additional living expenses apply? | A loss may make a home temporarily unlivable. Coverage is subject to your policy’s limits. |
| Do you require a proof of loss? | IBC says a requested proof of loss is typically returned within 30 days. Follow the deadline your insurer gives you. |
Check with your insurer to see whether you’re required to report the leak, even if you’re paying for repairs.
Read More: Read About Tenant Insurance and Water Damage
Replacing a Dishwasher? What to Check
- Make sure any new dishwasher is connected using the type of connectors and installation process outlined by the manufacturer.
- If installation is beyond your technical abilities, hire a qualified installer.
- Make sure dishwasher supply lines are not kinked or stressed.
- Ensure the dishwasher is levelled.
- Test the dishwasher at all stages and leave its plumbing connections visible.
- Keep the model number, serial number, receipt, warranty, installation invoices and photos of the connections.
- Regularly inspect the door gasket, flooring under the dishwasher and adjacent cabinets.
- Stop using the appliance if you find staining, swelling, moisture or unusual odours.
- Consider using a leak sensor or automatic shut-off device.
Read More: Use the Canadian Home Maintenance Checklist