Leaking or Broken Pipes? Call Your Insurance Company

8/30/2019 (Permalink)

Leaking pipes in a South Oceanside, CA home

If you have water damage or a flood in your home due to leaking or broken pipes, your insurance company may cover the costs of repair and restoration. Insurance companies have different categories of pipe breakage events. Whether or not they cover your event depends upon the terms of your insurance policy.

Three Clauses That Provide Insurance Coverage

Typical home insurance policies provide coverage for a sudden pipe incident. For example, a flood caused by the rupture of the main sewer line into your home would likely be covered under one or all of the following clauses:

• Property Coverage: Personal property, such as furniture, clothing, and appliances, that are destroyed by water damage are reimbursed through this clause.
• Dwelling Coverage: This clause insures the physical structure, such as walls and floors. It will typically pay to fix a broken pipe and for water damage restoration.
• Additional Living Expense (ALE) coverage: If you have to leave your home due to water damage or flooding, this clause pays for hotel, food, and travel expenses.
  
  

When Insurance Won't Pay

Homeowner's insurance will not pay for damage caused by leaky or broken pipes when it is the result of normal wear and tear, negligence, or lack of maintenance. When the insurance adjuster arrives at your home to evaluate your claim, they will look for the following:

• Signs of deterioration, such as rust, that you should have taken care of.
• The age of the pipes and if the leak is the result of normal wear and tear.
• The location of the pipes; Are they near an outside wall and susceptible to freezing?
• Leakage; If the pipe is leaking, does it appear to be an old leak you should have repaired?
  
  

When broken plumbing causes a flood in your home, always check with your insurance agent. Remember that plumbers and restoration companies in South Oceanside,CA, are Here To Help.