Will Insurance Cover a Broken Pipe?

12/26/2020 (Permalink)

Homeowners' insurance often covers repairs for water damage caused by unexpected, sudden occurrences

Will Insurance Cover a Broken Pipe?

A flood is sudden and almost impossible to prepare for. Cleaning up after suffering water damage can be a costly burden you were not expecting. Thankfully, homeowners insurance often covers such damage, depending on how it occurred.

1. Covered Occurrences
Damage caused by broken pipes, or sudden collapse, are generally covered by insurance. Leaks from malfunctioning washing machines or refrigerators are also included. Plumbing is considered part of general home maintenance. When your pipes and appliances break and cause damage despite normal upkeep, insurance can provide relief as you recover and clean up the mess.

2. What Is Covered
Insurance covers damage to your floor, floor coverings, walls, drywall, furniture, and belongings. Professional water damage cleanup services required to restore your home are also included in coverage. As well as services needed to achieve prompt drying of everything affected by the flood in order to prevent mold growth. Although the specifics of what is covered under every policy varies, the purpose of insurance is to help you restore your home when disaster strikes.

3. What Is Not Covered
Damages caused by gradual leaking over an extended period of time are generally not covered by insurance. Problems caused by wear and tear from regular use are also typically excluded from insurance coverage. The homeowner is responsible for keeping plumbing working properly and fixing issues as they occur. When damage happens despite these efforts, insurance may help. However, if you allow problems to fester over time so that they cause damage, you hold responsibility. While insurance does help with cleanup and restoration after leaks, insurance will often not pay to actually fix a broken pipe. It only pays for the damage caused.
Homeowners' insurance often covers repairs for water damage caused by unexpected, sudden occurrences. If you experience damage due to a leaking pipe, a flood, or a malfunctioning appliance, check with your insurance provider in Buckingham, PA, to see if you are covered.