Homeowners insurance is a critical item if you own a home. It protects the structure of your house and everything inside in case of a disaster. What about plumbing? Does homeowners insurance cover plumbing issues?
Read on to learn more about whether or not homeowners insurance covers plumbing issues and how you can prevent broken pipes when coverage does not apply. There’s a lot to cover, so let’s get started!
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Plumbing Issues?
If the plumbing issues are sudden and accidental, homeowners insurance will generally cover it. For example, unknown water leaks in the walls and frozen pipes in a properly heated home will receive coverage from homeowners insurance.
Examine your policy to decide if your plumbing issues are covered. There are four types – dwelling coverage, other structures coverage, personal property coverage, and loss of use coverage.
If covered, you need to file a claim with your insurance provider. You have to meet your policy deductible before the insurance meets your needs for the plumbing issues.
When Does Coverage Not Apply?
We’ve discussed whether coverage applies to plumbing issues – and most of the time, it does. When does coverage not apply? What troubles should you look for that indicate insurance won’t provide any help?
Here are a few plumbing issues homeowners insurance will not cover:
- Preventable pipe mold and leaks
- Frozen pipes if the home is unheated
- Galvanized steel or polybutylene pipes
- Sump pump or backup sewer lines
Homeowners insurance generally will not cover these, as they are preventable by the homeowner.
It’s critical to take care of your pipes as best as possible. If you do everything you can to prevent broken pipes, the issues you do experience will likely be available for coverage by your homeowners insurance.
How can you protect your pipes and keep them from breaking? Let’s cover this topic for the best insurance coverage possible in a home.
How Can You Prevent Broken Pipes?
There are many ways to be proactive with your pipes and prevent them from breaking. You can stop unnecessary breaks in your system before the pipe’s predicted lifespan is over by acting.
Here are a few ways to prevent broken pipes:
- Winterize your pipes to prevent them from freezing
- Replace pipes that are old and corroded
- Remove hazardous tree roots to stop potential punctures
These actions will reduce the chance of broken pipes in your home.
It’s better to put in a little extra work to keep pipes safe than to deal with a repair your insurance won’t cover.
Conclusion
Broken pipes are troubling for many homeowners. In most cases, insurance will cover the repair, but they may refuse to help in some instances. Therefore, it’s critical to prevent broken pipes if possible.
It can feel impossible to deal with plumbing issues, but there’s no need to worry! We’re here to help. Give Stephens Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning a call or schedule an appointment today to begin the process and receive a free estimate.