If you’ve experienced unexpected water damage to your laminate flooring — whether from a burst pipe under the sink, a leaking dishwasher, or an overflowing bathtub — you’re probably wondering how much your homeowners insurance will actually cover. On average, insurance typically pays anywhere from $3 to $13 per square foot to replace laminate flooring, depending on the material quality, labor rates, and your policy type. For a typical claim, homeowners might receive anywhere from $1,500 to $10,000 after the deductible, based on the size of the damaged area and whether the flooring can be matched or must be fully replaced. The final payout depends on whether you have Actual Cash Value or Replacement Cost coverage and whether the damage was sudden and accidental — which is key for approval.
What Governs Coverage for Laminate Flooring?
Insurance companies typically cover water damage to laminate flooring if it’s caused by a covered peril—meaning a sudden and accidental event like:
- A burst pipe under your sink
- An overflowing toilet or bathtub
- A leaking dishwasher or washing machine
However, they usually won’t cover damage from gradual leaks, poor maintenance, or flooding from outside the home unless you have separate flood insurance. Always check your policy to know which perils are covered and if there are exclusions for mold or long-term water seepage.
How Much Will Insurance Actually Pay?
Here’s what your insurance payout will typically include:
- The cost to remove damaged laminate
- Drying and cleaning the subfloor
- New laminate material that matches or closely resembles the original
- Installation and labor costs
Your deductible will be subtracted from the total. For example, if your claim is worth $5,000 and your deductible is $1,000, you’ll receive $4,000.
When Insurance May Cover the Entire Floor
Insurance usually pays to replace only the damaged section. But if your flooring is continuous across multiple rooms and there’s no exact match available, your adjuster may cover the entire continuous area.
Key factors that influence whether your entire floor is covered include:
- Continuity: If the same laminate flows through your kitchen, dining area, and living room.
- Material availability: If your flooring has been discontinued.
- Installation type: Some installation methods make patching impossible without visible seams.
- Extent of damage: If water seeped underneath large sections, full replacement may be the only safe option.
Factors That Can Affect Your Claim
A few more things to consider when filing a claim for laminate flooring:
- Mold Remediation: Mold removal tied directly to the water damage is often covered, but gradual mold from long-term leaks may not be.
- Clean vs. Dirty Water: Water damage from clean sources (like a supply line) is typically covered. Damage from gray or black water (like a sewer backup) may have different limits.
- Proper Documentation: Take photos and videos of the damage, the source, and the entire affected area. Keep all repair estimates and receipts.
Will Insurance Pay to Match the Flooring?
Insurers generally cover “like-for-like” replacement. This means they’ll pay to replace your damaged laminate with the same or similar type and quality. However, if your specific flooring style is discontinued or impossible to match, your insurance company may agree to replace the entire continuous floor to keep it uniform.
If the damage is limited to a small area but the flooring runs through multiple rooms, you can often negotiate with your adjuster to cover the full replacement to avoid unsightly seams or mismatched colors.
How Actual Cash Value vs. Replacement Cost Affects Payout
Your payout depends on whether your policy is based on Actual Cash Value (ACV) or Replacement Cost Value (RCV):
- Actual Cash Value (ACV): You’ll receive the cost to replace your flooring minus depreciation. For older laminate, this can mean a significantly smaller payout.
- Replacement Cost Value (RCV): You’ll receive the cost to replace your flooring with a similar new product at today’s prices, without deducting for age or wear.
Replacement Cost coverage is generally more comprehensive and better for homeowners who want to restore their home to its original condition.
How Much Does Laminate Flooring Cost to Replace?
For context, laminate flooring replacement costs about $3 to $13 per square foot, depending on the style and quality. A 1,000 sq. ft. floor could cost around $3,000–$13,000, including materials and labor. Knowing these numbers helps you gauge whether your insurer’s offer is fair.
Final Takeaway
In most cases, your homeowners insurance will pay to replace laminate flooring that’s damaged by a sudden and accidental water event—especially in sink-prone areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. How much you get depends on your deductible, whether your flooring can be matched, and if your policy pays Actual Cash Value or Replacement Cost Value.If you’re facing water damage, First & Last Restoration can help you every step of the way—from documenting the damage to working with adjusters and fully restoring your floors. Contact First and Last Restoration today to handle the restoration so you can get back to normal faster!
