Key Takeaways:
- Homeowners insurance typically only covers plumbing issues that are sudden, accidental, and unexpected.
- Plumbing issues that are considered avoidable are usually not covered by home insurance. This includes causes like neglecting to do regular maintenance.
- There are several steps you can take as a homeowner to avoid plumbing events, such as getting regular inspections from a plumber and making sure you aren’t flushing non-flushable items.
When Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Plumbing?
Homeowners insurance is generally meant to cover sudden, unexpected, and unpredictable damage to your house and belongings, such as a burst pipe. Covered perils could also include water damage on the walls, floors, carpeting, furnishings, and electronic equipment, as well as potentially, the mold that results, too.
This type of plumbing-related damage would be covered under specific types of coverages, such as personal property and dwelling. Or, if the damage were to happen in a detached structure, like a separate garage, you may need to have “other structures” coverage in your policy to get that damage covered by insurance.
If the damage is severe enough, loss of use — which applies if and when your home is rendered unlivable — may also factor in. That would cover the additional expense of staying at a hotel and dining out while your home is repaired.
Another coverage that may apply in this type of situation is personal liability if, for example, the water damage also damages a neighbor’s home. That way, you wouldn’t have to pay for that damage out of pocket.
When Doesn’t Homeowners Insurance Cover Plumbing?
In general, if you have a plumbing issue that results from “avoidable” causes, your homeowners insurance would not cover that event. For example, if a homeowner failed to insulate their pipes (to prevent freezing in subzero temperatures) or to fix a leaky pipe before it bursts, the costly plumbing issues that may result from that neglect would not be covered. Likewise, if the damage were to result from normal wear and tear, that’s also an excluded cause since, as the homeowner, you’re expected to perform routine maintenance.
Finally, a common exclusion here is sewer backups — though it will depend on how your policy is written. But in general, sewer backups and sump pump failures are not going to be automatically covered by a homeowners policy. That said, you may be given the option to purchase sewer backup coverage as an add-on to your coverages. But that typically means your premium will be higher. If you’re unsure about your current coverages or want to discuss adding this type of coverage, it’s best to talk to your insurance agent.
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How Can I Prevent Plumbing Issues
While some plumbing issues are unavoidable and happen without warning, others can be prevented with the proper due diligence. And it’s important to stay on top of those avoidable issues to save money. For example, homeowners can — and should — regularly have their pipes inspected by a professional plumber. That’s especially true for those who have older homes, whose infrastructure may be outdated or worn out.
If you live in a colder climate, insulating your pipes properly is essential to prevent them from freezing. This may also save you a bit of money on your energy costs during the winter by maintaining a higher water temperature more easily during those low temperatures.
And then there are the best day-to-day use practices that can help you save on costly plumbing issues, including being mindful of what you flush. For instance, you should be aware that “flushable” wipes are often not actually safe for your pipes, according to many plumbers. So sticking to only flushing regular toilet paper and waste is the best practice.
Another option that homeowners may wish to invest in a water monitor, which can help you detect and stop pipe-related issues (like drops in water pressure, which could indicate a leak) early on.
FAQ
How do I file a claim for plumbing damage?
If you have plumbing damage that is covered by your homeowners insurance, you can file a claim by contacting your insurance agent and reporting the incident. (And you should do that ASAP.) They may require proof of damage, so you should thoroughly document that via photographs or video, and create a list of any objects that have been damaged. Your insurer should send someone out to your home to evaluate the extent of the damages. And, once approved, keep in mind that you will still have to pay your deductible, and then the insurance company would cover any costs over that amount.
How do I obtain sump pump or water backup coverage?
If you want this type of coverage, you’ll have to speak to your insurer about adding that to your policy. Your agent should be able to provide details about how that coverage works, any limitations that may apply, and how much it would cost to add that to your policy.
How do I obtain coverage for mold?
In general, if the mold is caused by a covered event, such as an accident that causes water damage, that should already be covered by your insurance policy. There may be a time limit here, so report it quickly. Otherwise, however, mold would not be something for which you could obtain separate coverage.
How do I obtain service line coverage?
Service line coverage may be available from your insurer as an add-on to your homeowners policy. In that case, you’d have to contact your agent to obtain that coverage. And you should note that this type of coverage may have its own deductible, separate from your homeowners policy.
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