Does Homeowners Insurance Cover a Burst Pipe? How Burst Pipe Claims Work

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As temperatures drop, pipes can freeze and burst. You buy home insurance to cover unexpected damage. But does homeowners insurance cover a burst pipe?

Yes, a typical homeowners insurance policy covers a burst pipe. Your insurance should cover the cost of repairing damage to your home and possessions caused by a burst pipe.

However, insurers may not cover long-term damage caused by a burst pipe. If you ignored a leaky pipe for months, for example, and it caused mold or other damage, then your insurer could deny your claim.

Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about burst pipe insurance claims and how they work.

Yes, Home Insurance Covers Frozen Pipes

A typical homeowners insurance policy covers the cost of repairing your home and replacing possessions after damage caused by a frozen pipe or burst pipe.

If a pipe in your home froze and burst suddenly, then your insurer should cover it. 

Your insurer will cover any damage caused by the burst pipe up to the limits of your policy. Your insurer could cover the cost of emergency restoration, for example, along with drywall repair, floor replacement, and other required repairs.

If the burst pipe damaged your furniture or other possessions, then your insurer will compensate you for the value of those possessions, minus depreciation.

Insurance Doesn’t Cover All Broken Pipe Damage

Your insurance should cover damage caused by broken or burst pipes. However, insurers don’t cover all broken pipe damage.

Some broken pipe insurance claim exclusions are:

You Turned Off the Heat in Your Home: If you deliberately turned off your heat in your home, or if you failed to heat your home to a safe temperature, then your insurer may deny your claim. If you did turn on your heat but your furnace failed, however, then you may be able to make a claim.

You Didn’t Notice Damage for a Long Time: Burst pipes aren’t always sudden, disastrous events. Instead, they can sometimes occur over an extended period. A long, slow leak can trickle water behind your walls, leading to mold and other damage. In this situation, insurance may cover the cost of repairing the broken pipe, although you may need to cover other damage out of pocket.

Your Damage is From a Water Line Break: A standard homeowners insurance policy does not cover a water line break in most situations. If a water line breaks because of wear and tear, poor installation, or lack of maintenance, then insurance may deny your claim. However, if a water line break occurs because of a sudden event – like digging in your yard and accidentally damaging the water line – then insurance may cover it.

You Didn’t Check Your Home for Weeks or Months: Many homeowners insurance policies require you to check your home regularly for damage – even if you’re away. If you left your home for weeks or months and failed to check it, then insurance could deny a future water damage claim. Have someone check your home while away to spot water damage.

Final Word: Homeowners Insurance Covers Water Damage

A standard home insurance policy covers water damage in most situations.

If you have dwelling coverage (the main component of a home insurance policy), property coverage (to cover your belongings), and loss of use coverage (to cover additional expenses), then your insurer could provide significant compensation for a burst pipe insurance claim.

Contact a public adjuster or your insurance company to make a burst pipe insurance claim today.