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Does homeowners insurance cover plumbing and leaks?
Homeowners insurance generally covers plumbing damage and leaks when it’s sudden and accidental. If the water damage is caused by frozen pipes, and your home was properly heated at the time, homeowners insurance will help cover the cost of repairs. If a plumbing leak is hidden away in your walls and unknown to you, you may also be covered for repairs, even if the leak occurred over the course of weeks or months.
Your homeowners insurance policy includes several types of coverages that can protect your home, belongings, and temporary living expenses after a major plumbing accident.
When does homeowners insurance NOT cover plumbing damage?
Household plumbing, systems, and appliances all require maintenance to operate effectively. If your bathroom sink or washing machine has a minor leak, you’ll need to fix it yourself or hire a professional.
But what if the leak goes undetected for months and causes thousands of dollars in water damage to your home’s foundation and walls? Can homeowners insurance help cover the cost of repairs? Probably not.
Here are some instances where water damage is not covered by homeowners insurance unless you have a special coverage add-on in some cases (more on that below).
Preventable pipe leaks or mold damage
If your pipes leak over a matter of weeks or months and the leak itself is obvious and out in the open, you won’t be covered for repairs. If the leak causes mold growth in your floors or walls, mold removal and repair costs also wouldn’t be covered.
Pipes that freeze and break due to neglect
Homeowners insurance generally won’t cover water damage resulting from frozen pipes if it’s determined your house wasn’t sufficiently heated when they froze. If your pipes froze because you left your home vacant for an extended period of time and forgot to shut off the water supply, that also wouldn’t be covered.
Sump pump or sewer line backups
A standard home insurance policy won’t cover water damage from sewer line backups or clogged pipes. If you have a sump pump and it overflows, that also wouldn’t be covered. For coverage against sump pump or sewer line backups, you’ll need to add an optional water backup coverage endorsement to your homeowners insurance.
Outdated steel plumbing
Polybutylene and galvanized steel are materials that were widely used as supply piping in homes throughout much of the ‘70s and ‘80s, but homeowners insurance generally won’t cover homes with these pipes.
Polybutylene and galvanized steel pipes are notoriously hazardous, as chemicals like chlorine in public water were found to make the pipes brittle and cause plumbing leaks and burst pipes.
4 home insurance coverage add-ons to cover plumbing issues
If you live in a home with older plumbing, outdated home systems, or located in an area prone to mold or sewage overflows, there are a few optional coverage add-ons (also known as endorsements) that you should consider.
1. Water backup coverage
A standard homeowners insurance policy won’t cover water damage caused by sewer line or sump pump backups, but you can add a water backup coverage endorsement to your policy to extend your coverage to sewage backups and overflows.
If your sewer line or sump pump backs up and floods your basement, water backup coverage can help cover the cost of cleanup and repairs. It can be added to your homeowners insurance for a small additional cost of around $30 per year.
2. Service line coverage
Service line coverage is another optional add-on that covers the replacement of utility lines on your property but outside of your home — including water, steam, sewer, and drain pipes — when they're damaged.
Like water backup coverage, this type of coverage can be added to your standard homeowners insurance policy for a small fee, typically around $30 to $40 per year.
3. Mold damage rider
While your coverage will depend on your specific policy and state, mold damage is generally covered if it's caused by a sudden and unexpected accident, like a burst pipe or appliance malfunction. You may also be covered if the mold was caused by a leaking pipe hidden away in your walls or beneath your floors.
Most insurance companies will only pay for mold damage up to a limited amount — usually $1,000 to $10,000. Considering removal and remediation costs can be as high as $30,000, you may want to consider a mold damage rider.
This is an optional homeowners insurance add-on that increases your mold coverage to as much as $50,000. It also covers causes of mold growth that aren’t normally covered under your homeowners insurance, like mold that gradually forms in a damp area.
4. Flood insurance
Homeowners insurance won’t pay for flood damage that originates outside of your home. So if you live in a coastal community or in a floodplain, you may want to consider flood insurance.
Depending on your insurer, you may be able to add this coverage to your homeowners insurance policy for an additional premium. Otherwise, you can purchase a standalone flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program — with policies ringing in at an average of $738 per year.
What to do if you discover a plumbing leak
If you discover a leak in your plumbing system, you should act quickly in order to avoid further damage. Here are a few steps to take:
Stop the flow of the water. Follow the leak to its source and take measures to stop it. You may just need to tighten a loose connector to prevent the water from spilling out. But if the option is available to you, you can also turn off your home’s water supply while you investigate the leak.
Turn off electricity. If there are electrical wires in the damaged area, turn off your electricity to avoid electrocution.
Take photos of the damage. If you decide to file a claim, you’ll be asked to provide photos of the damage. Take pictures of the crack in your pipe and the water damage from the leak to better defend your claim.
Move damaged furniture to another room. Once you’ve discovered the source of the leak and gathered all your evidence, you should move furniture away from the source to prevent further damage.
Remove water from the damaged area. You can remove water from the room by dropping towels onto the ground and taking measures to evaporate the moisture in the room. Allow air to flow through the room by opening up your windows and run an air conditioner or a dehumidifier to dissolve the water in the air.
If your plumbing or a household system breaks and the resulting water damage is covered by your policy, you’ll need to file a homeowners insurance claim to be reimbursed for damage or repairs. You’ll also have to meet your policy deductible, which is the amount you’re responsible for paying on each claim before your insurance kicks in to cover the rest.
How much does it cost to replace water pipes in your house?
It can cost anywhere between $1,500 to $15,000 to replace an entire home’s plumbing, according to HomeAdvisor.
3 ways to prevent broken pipes
There are several steps you can take to protect your home’s plumbing and prevent costly water damage.
1. Winterize your plumbing
If you own a house that’s vacant during the coldest months, it’s recommended that you winterize your home to prevent your pipes from freezing. This includes shutting off your water, removing excess standing water from your pipes, opening drain valves, draining water from your hot water tank, and checking sink and tub drains that have drain traps.
2. Replace your plumbing
If your plumbing is old or corroded, you should consider hiring a local plumber or contractor to come by and inspect the pipes. They may suggest you replace certain pipes or appliances, and it will likely save you money in the long run.
3. Trim any hazardous tree roots
If you suspect tree roots are interfering with your plumbing and causing leaks or potentially hazardous blockages, have your pipes inspected by a local plumber and hire an arborist to trim any invasive roots.
