As summer changes to fall and eventually winter, we have to face certain things — most notably, the drop in temperature. That seasonal transition from heat to cold can wreak havoc on your home’s water pipes. As water freezes, it becomes much heavier and expands inside the pipe, which can lead it 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 you will no doubt have home insurance that covers you in the event of fire, water damage, and a host of other issues.
But in the case of burst pipes, the role your homeowners insurance plays can be a little more complicated.
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, your policy and deductible will play a role in terms of how much these repairs will cost.
However, what if you’ve neglected repairs over the years, causing slow leaks to form, which ultimately led to the eventual burst? In cases like that, insurance companies expect you would have maintained your home and repaired problems as they occurred. Avoiding making fixes to visible or obvious problems is 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:
When it comes to frozen pipes, however, things 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.
When it comes to burst pipes, prevention is the best medicine. Mitigating the damage can be done by following these steps: