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Whether frozen pipes in the winter that burst and send water spewing or a sump pump that quit working during a heavy summer storm, the damage caused while no one is home can run into many thousands of dollars and ruin furniture, flooring, appliances and even irreplaceable family photos and mementos.

While it’s not much fun, it’s important to read and understand your policy, especially the fine print. Find it confusing? You’re not alone. Like many industries, insurance has its own jargon: for instance, there’s a difference between a catastrophe, a hazard and a peril—and it’s not just about a given degree of damage.

There are many good reasons to make sure you understand your homeowner’s insurance policy; perhaps none more so than claims regarding water damage. Burst pipes and water leaks are among the most common reasons for dwelling insurance claims—third only behind fire and lightning and hail and wind damage claims.

Water damage is one of the most common insurance claims in Florida, and for good reason. After all, with 1,350 miles of coastline, more than 10 million acres of wetlands and more than 50 inches of rainfall annually, it’s no wonder that Florida is among the top ten in numbers of water damage claims filed.

In Florida, insurance policies often contain a “right to repair” provision. This clause, also knowns as the “option to repair,” gives insurance companies considerable power when it comes to making decisions about repairs to your home.