Does Homeowners’ Insurance Cover Burst Pipes

1/6/2022 (Permalink)

If your home has sustained damaged from burst pipes, SERVPRO of Jacksonville Beach/Ponte Vedra is here to help!

Does Homeowners' Insurance Cover Burst Pipes

When a pipe bursts, the damage to your home can be extensive. Worse, water damage repair can be time-consuming and expensive. If this happens in your house, will your homeowners’ insurance protect you? The answer is a little bit complicated.

If your pipe bursts suddenly, the resulting water damage will probably be covered by your homeowners’ policy. “Suddenly” is the key word in this sentence, though. If your pipe begins to leak because of damage that occurs gradually, like rust, the insurance company is not likely to cover it.

What does homeowner’s insurance cover then? A homeowners’ insurance policy protects you in three ways.

• Dwelling coverage protects your home’s structure. This is the part of your insurance that helps pay to repair or replace your carpet or flooring or rebuild the physical structure of your home.
• Property coverage protects your belongings. In other words, this covers the repair or replacement of things like furniture, clothing, sporting goods, or electronics. Typically, insurance will cover the actual cash depreciated value of the items instead of covering the cost to replace them.
• Loss of use coverage reimburses you for costs associated with damage to your home. If you’ve lost the use of your home for a time, this coverage will pay for things you have to have while you’re waiting for home repairs, like your lodging, food, and boarding for your pet.

That all sounds pretty comprehensive, but it’s important to carefully read your policy and understand the terms. In most cases, if something sudden and accidental happens to your plumbing, like a fixture failure or a water line damaged by construction, the resulting damage will be covered. In some cases, burst pipes fall into this category. If, however, the problem is the result of age or wear and tear, like a water leak because of a rusty pipe, it won’t be covered. Similarly, if the problem was preventable, the insurance company probably won’t cover it. So, if your pipes burst suddenly in a freeze, it will probably be covered. If you’ve left town and turned off your heat, leaving your pipes vulnerable to freezing, it most likely will not be covered. Acts of nature are generally not covered, so if you live in an area prone to flooding, it’s smart to purchase additional flood insurance.

If your home has sustained damage from burst pipes, call SERVPRO of Jacksonville Beach/Ponte Vedra for help. Not only do we provide water damage restoration, but we also work with your insurance, managing the paperwork and claims process to reduce the stress of the experience for you. Our highly-trained restoration technicians have the experience and equipment to restore your Jacksonville, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach or Ponte Vedra area property and get everything back to normal. A trusted leader in the restoration industry, we’ve served our community for more than 40 years. Call (904) 246-6118.