Will My Homeowners’ Insurance Pay for Plumbing Repairs?

Sometimes insurance covers plumbing repairs, but only in specific situations. If the damage occurred suddenly and without warning, homeowner’s insurance will likely cover it. However, if the damage occurred due to a problem that built up over time that you ignored, insurance won’t cover it. Let’s consider these scenarios in-depth.

When Insurance Covers the Plumbing Work

Your home insurance probably covers damage from a burst pipe, especially if the action that caused the burst pipe came from outside your home, such as the city’s sewer line backing up. If the policy you purchased specifically includes coverage for plumbing-related damage, it receives coverage. If you purchased an HO-5 policy, it typically covers accidental damage to the plumbing in your home.

When Insurance Does Not Cover Plumbing Work

Most levels of homeowners insurance do not provide that level of coverage, though. If you purchased an HO-1, HO-2, HO-3, or HO-8 policy, it does not cover plumbing repairs unless you add a rider to the policy to do so. Most homeowners in the U.S. purchase HO-3 policies because their mortgage lender requires at least that level of coverage.

No homeowners insurance will cover damage from neglect. Every insurance policy includes verbiage stating that the homeowner must keep up the home and perform expected, normal maintenance on it.

Examples of What Most Homeowners’ Policies Do and Don’t Cover

We’ll provide a few examples to help you understand what a typical home policy covers. Most policies cover the home’s built-in electrical and plumbing-related equipment, such as its central heat and air system or water heater. If the water heater bursts, causing water to spew throughout the room, the home policy covers the water heater and the damage caused, such as replacement drywall.

If, despite your operating the heat in the home at a normal level, a pipe freezes or bursts, then insurance covers it. If it freezes or bursts in an unheated home, it does not.

Leaking pipes, a leaking dishwasher, or a leak in the HVAC system don’t usually receive home policy coverage.  If these leaks cause water damage, insurance companies typically see it as homeowner neglect. From an insurance company’s perspective, had the owner of the home checked for leaks regularly and hired a plumber to fix the leak as soon as it developed, damage would not have occurred.

Call Us Today for Plumbing Repairs

In Florida, call Plumber Near Me, located in Sanford, but serving the surrounding areas, too. We operate our business 24 hours a day and seven days a week. When you have a plumbing emergency, call us, and we will service your plumbing needs immediately.