Does homeowners insurance cover plumbing problems?

In most cases, homeowners insurance will cover damage caused by unexpected plumbing problems. Here are a few scenarios that are typically covered by a standard homeowners policy.

Burst pipes

You awaken from a cold winter night to find a sopping-wet basement. In the cold, a pipe burst, and there's water everywhere. Most homeowner's insurance policies will cover the cost of repairing damaged drywall and replacing ruined carpets. (Please keep in mind that most policies do not cover the cost of repairing or replacing the pipe.)

If you could have done more to prevent the burst pipe, your insurer may refuse to pay your claim. Assume you were out of town and did not leave the thermostat set to a high enough temperature to warm the area. The insurer may argue that the damage occurred as a result of your negligence, which a homeowners policy does not cover.

Appliance leaks

Your dishwasher bursts, spewing soapy water all over your kitchen and into the basement below. Your homeowners insurance will most likely cover the cleanup as long as the leak was sudden and unexpected.

This coverage may also cover plumbing issues with other appliances such as washing machines, water heaters, refrigerators, and air conditioners. However, unless you add water backup coverage, many policies exclude sump pump failures. (We'll get to that later.)

The replacement or repair of the broken appliance is also not covered by your policy. In order to obtain this coverage, contact your insurer and inquire about equipment breakdown insurance. It's a common addition to a homeowners policy that covers mechanical or electrical failures of major appliances such as heating and cooling systems.

Overflowing toilets, bathtubs and sinks

You're lying down on the couch when you notice water dripping from the ceiling. You rush upstairs to find that one of your children has left the bathtub running for the past 20 minutes, causing it to overflow. Your homeowners insurance will most likely cover any damage caused by this type of accident.

Will your policy cover damage caused by a sink, tub, or toilet that overflows due to a clogged drain or pipe? This is where things can get a little complicated.

Water that backs up into your house is frequently covered by homeowners insurance as long as the blockage is within your property's plumbing system. However, if the problem is in a public sewer system, your insurer is unlikely to cover it unless you have water backup coverage added to your policy. The extent of your coverage is determined by where you live and the terms of your policy.

If you have any questions about your coverage, read your policy thoroughly or contact your agent or insurer.

Other causes of pipe damage

Other incidents that could damage your pipes are covered by homeowners insurance. This could include a kitchen fire or a blizzard knocking a tree onto your house. Pipe damage in these circumstances would typically fall under the dwelling coverage section of your policy. Dwelling coverage pays to repair damage to your home's structure.

Which plumbing problems aren’t covered?

There are some things that no insurance policy will cover. Here are a few common ones, as well as how you might be able to supplement your coverage.

Sewer backups and sump pump failure

As previously stated, many homeowner policies will not cover damage if your sewer system backs up or your sump pump fails. If you need assistance dealing with these claims, talk to your insurance company about adding water backup coverage to your policy.

It's important to note that water backup coverage does not cover the cost of replacing a broken sump pump; it only covers the damage caused by the failure. If you want your insurer to pay for failing appliances like sump pumps, consider adding equipment breakdown coverage.

Flooding

Flooding, as defined by insurance, is water that enters your home from sources such as an overflowing river, a tidal surge, or heavy rain that the ground cannot absorb quickly enough. Unless you specifically add flood coverage to your policy, homeowners insurance does not cover flooding.

So, if a flood damages your plumbing, for example, by washing soil or debris into your pipes, your homeowners insurance is unlikely to cover the repairs.

Maintenance or general wear and tear

Insurance exists to pay for sudden, accidental expenses, not for regular home maintenance. So your homeowners policy usually won’t pay for a plumber to fix a leaky faucet or replace older pipes that are starting to corrode.

Insurers expect their policyholders to keep their appliances and other property in good working order. If you noticed a small leak under your bathroom sink but did not address it before it became worse, your insurer may deny your water damage claim due to negligence.

Should you file a claim for plumbing problems?

Consider the type of problem and the amount of damage when deciding whether to file a claim. If the damage was caused by a sudden accidental event, you are more likely to be covered than if the problem was caused by a slow leak or another maintenance issue. If you're unsure about a claim, your insurance agent may be able to walk you through your options.

If the damage is minor, it may not be worth filing a claim. Most homeowners claims are subject to a deductible, which is an amount deducted from your payout by your insurer. Assume you have a $1,000 deductible and a $750 damage from a burst pipe. Your insurance company will not pay anything.

Because insurance companies tend to raise rates after a claim, you may decide to pay for minor issues yourself.

How to prevent plumbing problems

Here are a few tips for preventing plumbing problems before they cause major damage.

Check for leaks

Inspect the water seals on your dishwasher, water heater, washing machine, and refrigerator on a regular basis. This is especially important as your appliances age and become more prone to failure.

Keep drains moving

Pipes can become clogged with hair, grease, food, and other substances over time. To avoid this:

• Regularly flush drains with hot water. Baking soda and vinegar can also be used to dissolve clogs.
• To catch hair in showers and bathtubs, use a mesh screen.
• Place food and grease in the trash rather than the kitchen sink.
• Except for toilet paper and human waste, never flush anything down the toilet.

Act quickly

Do not disregard potential leak indicators such as a loss of water pressure or an unexpectedly high water bill. A plumber may be able to prevent a minor problem from becoming a major one.

Turn to technology

Consider purchasing an intelligent water leak detector (or several). You can install these devices near leaky appliances and receive notifications on your phone if they detect water. More expensive devices can monitor your entire plumbing system and automatically shut off the water if they detect a problem.

Some homeowners insurance companies provide discounts for the installation of these and other types of smart-home technology.

Keep pipes from freezing

Set your thermostat to a minimum of 55 degrees Fahrenheit when the weather turns cold, even if you're not at home. This aids in keeping pipes warm. Allow heated air to circulate around the pipes by opening cabinet doors under your bathroom and kitchen sinks, and set faucets to a slow drip. It is also beneficial to insulate exposed pipes.