Certified in financial planning by Boston University
Erin is a writer and journalist specializing in personal finance. With more than five years of experience, Erin has covered topics such as credit cards, mortgages, insurance, and more.
Sara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.
Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves rock climbing, yoga, and crocheting.
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It can be confusing to figure out what your homeowners insurancepolicy covers, especially when it comes to water damage.
Burst pipes are among the most common home insurance claims and are more likely during freezing temperatures. The good news is that insurance usually covers these incidents, but some exceptions exist. It’s important to be proactive to ensure that if a pipe does burst in your home, your insurance policy will cover it.
Several different types of property insurance can protect you in case of a burst water pipe. In general, homeowners insurance covers “sudden and accidental” discharge from your plumbing system, including a burst pipe. The good news is this peril is standard in homeowners insurance, and you shouldn’t need flood insurance to cover it.[1]
Your dwelling coverage pays to repair the burst pipe and any other damage from the incident up to your policy limits. If a burst pipe damages any of your personal belongings — such as furniture — your personal property coverage will cover them. Finally, your loss of use coverage will pay for additional living expenses if you temporarily leave your home for repairs.
But there are some caveats. Your insurance company will likely only cover your claim if you’ve properly maintained your plumbing system. If you neglect your pipes or fail to keep them at a temperature warm enough to prevent freezing, your insurer could deny your claim.
If you rent your home — whether it’s a single-family house or in an apartment building — your landlord’s property insurance doesn’t cover you or your personal belongings. For that reason, it’s important to have renters insurance.
A standard renters insurance policy covers damage to your belongings due to a burst pipe. And, like homeowners insurance, renters insurance can pay for your added expenses if you have to find somewhere else to stay during the repairs.
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What to do after a burst pipe
If a pipe bursts in your home, it’s important to act quickly to minimize the damage. Follow these steps after a burst pipe to stop the problem as quickly as possible and make sure your insurance company covers your claim:
Shut off the water supply. The first step after a burst pipe is to turn off your home’s main water line to prevent the water from flowing and minimize the damage.
Contact a professional plumber. Fixing a burst pipe isn’t a DIY job. Once you’ve stopped the flow of damage, call a plumber right away. Don’t turn the water back on until a plumber repairs the pipe and gives you the go-ahead.
Evaluate the extent of the water damage. Assess the damage to see what needs to be done to repair it. Make an inventory of any of your personal items and structural damage.
Document the damage with photos and videos. When you’re evaluating the damage the burst pipe caused, make sure to thoroughly document all damage with photos and videos for the insurance company. Do this before cleaning up the area.
Clean up the water. After you document the damage, it’s important to clean up the water to prevent the damage from getting worse. Begin getting rid of water in the area, remove damaged items, and start taking steps to dry out the area.
Contact your insurance company. Finally, contact your insurance company to file a claim. You’ll provide documentation of the damage, and your insurance agent or a representative from the company will walk you through the next steps.
How to file an insurance claim for a burst pipe
Filing an insurance claim is one of the most important steps you’ll take after a pipe bursts in your home. The claims process may differ slightly depending on your insurer. For example, some insurers have a largely online claims process, while others will require you to work with your local agent.
It’s important to understand what your home insurance policy does and doesn’t cover. Though most standard homeowners insurance policies cover accidental burst pipes, read your policy documents to know situations in which your insurance company might not cover the claim.
2. Gather essential documentation
It’s important to thoroughly document the damage from your burst pipe with photos and videos. Additionally, save any receipts or documentation from your plumber, contractor, or any other professionals you work with along the way.
3. Provide a detailed report to your insurance company
The more detail you provide in your insurance claim, the easier it’ll be for your insurance company to resolve. Explain exactly what happened and what steps you took afterward. It may also be helpful to explain proactive steps you’ve taken to help maintain your pipes.
4. Prepare for your insurance adjuster’s visit
It’s likely that an insurance adjuster will come to your home to assess the damage. While it’s important to make any emergency repairs, you should leave the other damage as-is for your adjuster to see.
Questions to ask your insurance adjuster
It’s normal to have questions when you’re filing a home insurance claim, especially if the damage was extensive. Some questions you may want to ask your adjuster include:[3]
What else do you need from me to proceed with the claim?
How long will the claims process take?
What are my policy limits and deductibles for this damage?
What valuation method will the insurance company use for this claim?
How and when will I receive the funds?
How can I get my additional living expenses reimbursed?
What recourse do I have if you deny my claim?
Common reasons for claim denials
Unfortunately, your insurance company may deny your claim for a burst pipe in some situations. Homeowners insurance generally doesn’t cover burst pipes if you fail to take reasonable steps to prevent them. For example, your insurer may deny your claim if you haven’t properly maintained your pipes or if you kept the temperature too low to prevent freezing.[4]
Another common reason for a claim denial is if the damage results from something that homeowners insurance doesn’t cover. For example, home insurance doesn’t cover general wear and tear. It’ll probably cover your burst pipe if it’s sudden and accidental, but not if it results from long-term wear and tear on your pipes. Similarly, your insurance company will likely deny the claim if the water damage is a result of something else, such as a sewage backup, sump-pump failure, or flood damage, which standard homeowners insurance policies typically don’t cover.
Finally, homeowners insurance usually doesn’t cover pre-existing damage. For example, if the pipe had damage or was faulty when you signed up for your current policy, your insurer is unlikely to cover your claim.[5]
If your homeowners insurance company denies your claim but you disagree, you may be able to appeal the decision or ask for a second opinion. If the company stands by its decision but you’re certain your insurer should cover the damage, you may need to file a complaint with your state’s insurance commissioner.
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Protecting your home from future burst-pipe incidents
A burst pipe can cause significant property damage and financial losses, even if your insurance policy covers it. Not to mention, it’s a huge inconvenience. The good news is you can take steps to prevent burst pipes and protect your home:
Maintain regular plumbing maintenance. The most important way to protect your home is to properly maintain your plumbing system and pipes to prevent damage.
Insulate pipes. Properly insulate your pipes, especially those in unheated or poorly heated areas such as the basement or garage. You can use foam sleeves, expanding foam, batt insulation, or pipe tape.
Maintain an adequate temperature. Keep your home warm enough in the winter, especially if you live somewhere with cold weather. You should maintain a temperature of 55–60 degrees Fahrenheit in all areas of your home.
Caulk and seal leaks in your home. If you have any cracks or leaks letting cold air into your home, caulk and seal them to reduce the risk of freezing.
Monitor water pressure and usage. By monitoring your water pressure, you can identify potential pipe leaks as quickly as possible.
Fix water leaks promptly. If you identify a broken pipe or water leak in your home, fix it right away. If you leave it too long, it can result in greater damage.
Burst pipe insurance claim FAQs
Whether you have a burst pipe in your home or you simply want to know how to prepare in case of one, these answers can provide you with a bit more information.
How do you file a successful water leak insurance claim?
The best way to file a successful water leak insurance claim is to make sure the incident is something your insurance policy covers and to document the damage thoroughly. You’ll have the best chance of your insurer approving your claim if you’ve taken every step possible to care for your plumbing system and prevent the leak.
Why would a water damage claim be denied?
Homeowners insurance doesn’t cover all forms of water damage, so your insurer may deny your claim if the damage is a result of something not included in your policy, such as flooding. Additionally, your insurer may deny a claim if the damage was due to poor maintenance or negligence.
Does most homeowners insurance cover broken water pipes?
Homeowners insurance usually covers broken water pipes if the burst is sudden and accidental. If it’s the result of wear and tear or negligence, your policy may not cover it.
Can you claim plumbing repairs on insurance?
Typically, yes. Your insurance policy should cover the cost of repairs for a burst pipe as long as the incident was sudden and accidental. Your policy’s dwelling coverage pays for repair costs up to your policy limits.
Erin Gobler is a personal finance writer and journalist based in Madison, Wisconsin. With more than five years of experience, Erin has covered topics such as investing, credit cards, mortgages, insurance, and more. Her work has been featured in major publications like Business Insider, Fox Business, and Time. Erin received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 2013, studying journalism and political science. She also received a certificate of financial planning from Boston University in 2022.
Sara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.
Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves rock climbing, yoga, and crocheting.
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