Reading an insurance policy is not something homeowners like to do for fun. While general principles are common to most insurance policies, the coverage question for a specific issue will vary from policy to policy. In the case of a dishwasher leak, coverage will likely be determined by the cause of the leak.  Let’s deal with the bad news first. If the leak results from a faulty dishwasher, the damages will likely not be covered. This is because home insurance is not the same as a warranty. Even if your policy covers the cost of cleaning up the water, you’re not likely to get a new dishwasher paid for by your insurance company.  If a plumber or leak detection company determines the leak was sudden and accidental, meaning not a result of wear and tear, it might be worth contacting your insurance company to file a claim. In addition to the cause of the leak, the steps taken to prevent further damage will be important when filing a claim with your insurance company. As part of that process, it would also be prudent to document with photos and keep all receipts for repairs. If the leak resulted from a cracked or burst pipe, not the result of wear and tear, your policy might provide coverage for the cost of repairs due to water damage, including cleaning up the water. However, insurance will not likely cover the cost of repairing the plumbing system. The other wrinkle to this situation lies in the key phrase wear and tear. Coverage can get more complicated if the cracked or burst pipe failed due to normal wear and tear. Your policy may cover the cost of cleaning up the water but nothing else, or it may not cover anything. A failed appliance can be a traumatic experience, but cooler heads will prevail if you are armed with information. This guide will give the tools to navigate a dishwasher leak successfully.