Insurance and Broken Pipes – What Does Your Policy Cover?

3/13/2019 (Permalink)

When pipes rupture and a flood of standing water results, the insurance coverage will probably not pay for the repair the pipe

Are You Covered?

There are many different types of insurance policies written every day in Newtown, PA, from the all-perils coverage to the comprehensive package. No matter what type of insurance you purchase, if you make sure you have a complete bundle, the flood damage from a broken pipe will generally be covered. Here are three circumstances in more detail.

1. Resulting Damage

Depending on the type of policy purchased, the actual pipe repair may not be covered. However, the insurer almost always covers the resulting water damage from the gushing liquid that overflows in your home. This is also true for water damage that occurs outside due to a broken or ruptured line. Damage resulting from the incident is not considered primary, but rather the resulting damage.

2. Ruptured Pipes

When pipes rupture and a flood of standing water results, the insurance coverage will probably not pay for the repair of the pipe or the necessary tear-out to get to the problem. This is because most insurance companies consider the plumbing pipes to be a part of the normal maintenance required by the homeowner. Consider calling in a water restoration company to fix the broken pipe and document the problem to help you fight for your claim.

3. Negligent Inattention

When a pipe bursts, you may feel as if you are barraged by a million questions from the insurance adjustor. That is because if the insurance company can find you were negligent or inattentive to your home’s problems, the claim will become null and void. However, if the accident was not avoidable, but was sudden and unexpected, the claim may be considered valid.

You have a right to make an insurance claim for any watery flood that results from a ruptured pipe inside or outside your home. The way you report and document the claim may make a difference in how the paperwork is processed. For that reason, use these three circumstances to help you define your water damage when you make a claim.