Your homeowners insurance policy will typically cover plumbing damage and repairs if the problem is sudden or accidental, such as a burst pipe. However, most standard plans do not cover gradual leaks and you may need backup for damage to sewer lines.
When does home insurance cover plumbing repairs?
It depends on your policy and the specific situation, but standard coverage applies to sudden or unexpected events. For example, if a pipe bursts and causes water damage in your home, your policy could pay to repair or replace the following:
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Floors
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Walls
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Furniture
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Electronics
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Cabinets
Similarly, you could be covered if your plumbing system is damaged by fire or vandalism, resulting in water damage to your home.
Read more: What does home insurance cover?
When is plumbing not covered?
Water damage to your home resulting from a problem with your plumbing system will likely not be covered if:
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Plumbing was installed, modified or repaired incorrectly.
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Your pipes failed due to old age or poor maintenance.
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Your plumbing system was damaged by a flood or earthquake.
Situations may vary, but if there is a problem with your plumbing system caused by neglect, natural wear and tear, or an event not normally covered by insurance, any resulting water damage may not be covered.
Read more: What doesn’t home insurance cover?
Special scenarios to take into account
Sewer or underground service lines.
Your insurance may cover clogged sewers or damaged service lines, but usually only if you have additional coverage. For example, Progressive offers a service line endorsement that you can add to your homeowners insurance policy.
Failures in the water heater or other appliances.
Many homeowners insurance policies will cover water damage to your home due to a malfunctioning appliance, such as a washing machine or water heater, although the appliance itself may not be included in your coverage.
Some providers offer equipment breakdown coverage for the repair or replacement of home equipment.
Mold
Your policy may cover mold damage and repair, but only if it is the result of a covered loss or peril. For example, if a burst pipe causes water damage and you later encounter mold as a result, your insurance may offer some mold remediation coverage, although there may be limits.
How to Expand Your Home Insurance Plumbing Coverage
You can expand your plumbing coverage by increasing your home insurance coverage in different areas, including:
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Service Line Coverage can protect you if there is a problem with the utility lines outside your home, or if one of those lines causes damage to your home.
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Equipment breakdown coverage Covers damage to home equipment, including appliances.
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Housing coverage Protects your home from structural damage, often including plumbing systems, floors, roofs, and more.
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Personal Property Coverage It covers damage to your belongings, such as if a pipe bursts and floods your home, damaging electronics, furniture, and other items.
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Coverage of other structures may cover damage to other structures you own, such as an accessory dwelling unit or other detached building.
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Loss of usage coverage It can cover room and board if you have to temporarily live somewhere else while home repairs are made.
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Personal Liability Coverage It can cover damage to someone else’s property if you are at fault.
How much do plumbing repairs cost?
Most homeowners pay around $339 to hire a plumber, according to Angi, but the actual cost varies depending on the plumber’s hourly rate, materials, and scope of work.
For example, Angi estimates that the average cost to repair burst pipes is between $1,000 and $4,000. However, water heater repair typically costs between $150 and $750.
Your location can also affect the amount you pay for plumbing repairs. The normal range for northern Las Vegas, Nevada is $170 to $506, while a New York City area has a slightly higher range of $202 to $549.
How to File a Plumbing Insurance Claim
You can file a plumbing claim by following the same steps for filing a home insurance claim:
1. Stop further damage
If your plumbing continues to cause damage, do everything you can to stop it if it is safe to do so. For example, if it is a broken pipe, try turning off the main water line.
2. Collect evidence
Be sure to take plenty of photos of the damage, including the compromised plumbing system and any resulting water or other damage. Having photographic and video evidence of the cause of the damage, as well as the damage itself, will only help you when filing your claim.
3. Call your provider
You want to call your insurance provider as soon as possible to report the damage and start the claim process, as this will help get you paid faster. Additionally, your insurance may require that you file a claim within a certain time period.
4. Stay in touch with your claims adjuster
Once you have started your claim, your adjuster will walk you through the next steps and provide you with information about what they will need from you. Depending on the method of communication, be sure to answer your phone, check your email, and/or respond to messages to keep the process moving positively toward a successful outcome.
5. Get paid and schedule repairs
As long as everything is okay, you should receive a payment for your claim. If everything looks good, you can use the money to schedule necessary repairs.
Plumbing maintenance tips
Consider these tips to help prevent problems with your plumbing:
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Schedule frequent inspections: Annual or more frequent inspections can help ensure your pipes are in good working order and prevent problems like leaks before they occur.
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Consider leak sensors: A burst pipe can quickly fill a room or basement with water and cause a lot of damage. With a leak sensor and automatic shut-off valve, you may be able to prevent even more damage from occurring, especially if you are away from home.
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Use storage shelves: Storing items on shelves in your basement can help prevent damage to your belongings if something were to happen to your plumbing.
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Identify your water shut-off valve: It’s always a good idea to know where the water shut-off valve is in your home, so you can access it immediately in case of an emergency.
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Insulate your pipes: Insulated pipes can help prevent condensation, mold, and rust, and save you money on your utility bills.
Home and Plumbing Insurance FAQs
Does home insurance cover the cost of a plumber?
Homeowners insurance typically covers the cost of repairing damage caused by plumbing problems, not necessarily the cost of hiring a plumber. However, depending on how your provider handles insurance claim payments, you may be able to use the funds to hire professional tradesmen to carry out repairs.
Does home insurance cover pipe leaks inside walls?
Homeowners insurance generally does not cover slow or gradual leaks, but may cover damage caused by a burst pipe inside a wall.
Is a burst pipe covered by home insurance?
Yes, burst pipes are typically covered under standard homeowners insurance policies. This usually means that the pipe burst was a sudden or accidental event, rather than caused by lack of maintenance or negligence.
Does home insurance cover sewer line repair?
A standard homeowners insurance policy typically doesn’t cover sewer line repair, but you may be able to add sewer line coverage to your plan.
What is the difference between homeowners insurance and a home plumbing warranty?
Homeowners insurance policies typically cover damage caused by sudden, unexpected sources, such as basement flooding due to a burst pipe. Home warranties typically cover repair or replacement of systems and appliances.
For example, if a pipe in your water heater breaks and causes water damage, your insurance policy may cover that damage, while your warranty may cover repairs to the water heater.
