Will my home insurance cover a burst pipe?

This article has been updated from a previous version. 

As fall turns to winter, it’s worth paying a little mind to what’s happening between our walls. That seasonal transition from warm to cold can wreak havoc on your home’s plumbing system. 

As water freezes, it becomes much heavier and expands inside your pipes, which can lead them to burst. Broken pipes can do a lot of damage to your home. They can create mould, damage electrical systems, create flooding risks, and potentially damage HVAC systems.

As a homeowner, your home insurance should cover you in the event of fire, water damage, and a host of other issues.

But in the case of burst pipes, the role your home insurance policy plays can be a little more complicated.

Will my home insurance policy cover a burst pipe?

Your home insurance company will usually cover leaks that happen suddenly and unexpectedly — in other words, pipes you had no way of knowing were about to burst. Of course, how much these repairs will cost you out of pocket will depend on your policy and deductible.

However, what if you’ve neglected repairs over the years? And those years of neglect have caused slow leaks to form, which ultimately led to the eventual burst? 

Generally, insurance companies expect you to maintain your home and repair problems as they occur. Visible or obvious signs of disrepair are often considered negligence, which means your insurance company will not pay for the resulting damage.

Water damage insurance can sometimes provide coverage. In a traditional home insurance policy, coverage is generally provided for damage caused by:

• The sudden and accidental escape of water from a water main, plumbing system or hot water tank; and
• Water entering your home as a result of an opening caused by an insured peril (for example, a tree falls on and damages your home’s roof in a storm, letting in rain that damages the inside of your home)

Frozen pipes, however, are a little more nuanced. Most home insurance policies require you to shut off your water in the winter and drain the pipes if you plan to be away for an extended period. 

Your policy may also stipulate that you should have a “competent” person check in on your home while you're away, and this will be seen as an acceptable safeguard against water issues.

Failing to meet these requirements often means claims will be denied for water damage that results from frozen pipes bursting.

Learn more: When to file and not file a home insurance claim

How to prevent your home’s pipes from bursting

When it comes to burst pipes, prevention is the best medicine. Mitigating the damage can be done by following these steps:

• Insulate whatever pipes you can — Given that the pipes run through the walls, floors, and ceiling, it can be hard to know if they are properly insulated or not. If you’re unsure, an insulation company can check the walls and ceilings using an infrared camera to see if there is proper insulation.
• Turn off any water sources that are not being used — If you plan on going away for a short while during the winter, drain the water from the lines and turn off the water. Otherwise, have someone check on the property regularly to ensure there are no leaks or damage. Longer periods of absence require the water to be moving and dripping. If you know the water won’t be used for a very long time, it’s wise to leave the taps running (just a trickle will do) so water does not freeze in the pipes.
• Keep your property heated to a proper temperature — Keeping your home warm during the colder months will help prevent the lines from freezing.
• Assess any current leaks — If you are aware of any current leaks throughout your property, no matter how small, be sure to get them fixed before the cold weather hits. 
• Check your exterior pipes — Ensure any exterior pipes are dug deep enough into the ground to avoid freezing (or make sure they’re properly insulated, as stated above).
• Talk to your insurance company — Knowing your home insurance policy well will help you understand what is and isn’t covered when it comes to burst pipes. Your provider may even have tips for you on how to prevent damage and what sort of preventative measures will be accepted when/if a claim is made.

Burst pipes can be a headache and a half, especially if you have to pay for the damage yourself. Thankfully, most of the time, they can be easily avoided with routine maintenance and proper planning for vacation and time spent away. 

Most importantly, brush up on your insurance policy to make sure you know when they’re covered – and when they’re not. 

Read next: How to protect your home from severe weather