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Unpredictable weather can also mean unpredictable expenses. Learn how your insurance may cover repairs to burst water pipes and replacement of other damaged property or personal belongings.
Your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy should help you cover expenses related to burst pipes, as long as it’s not caused by negligence or lack of maintenance.
Dwelling coverage for homeowner’s insurance can pay for the structural damage to your house. But you’ll also need personal property coverage to pay for any water damage to your belongings. Additional living expenses coverage can also pay the costs of a hotel, food and transportation if you need to stay somewhere else while the damage gets repaired.
If you’re found responsible for the damage, though, homeowner’s insurance may not cover the burst pipes. This could include if the pipes froze in winter weather and you didn’t take steps to prevent it. Also, your insurance may not cover old pipes needing replacement because these might fall under normal wear and tear.
For renter’s insurance, personal property coverage will take care of your belongings. Your landlord’s property insurance should cover the burst pipes and apartment damage.
However, if you’re deemed responsible for the damage, you may need property damage coverage to pay those costs, too.
Your insurance policy can cover a variety of damages related to burst pipes, but be aware of the details surrounding the incident:
Most likely not. Your homeowners policy will likely cover the damage caused by your burst pipes, and the area around the burst pipes if it’s destructed to make repairs.
However, standard policies don’t cover replacement costs, so if your pipes need to be replaced, you probably won’t get any help from your home insurance policy.
Your insurance company may deny your claim for a few reasons, including:
If the pipes in your home or apartment have burst, you’ll need some key pieces of information when reporting the damage:
To file a claim against your homeowner’s or renter’s policy:
If your pipe damage isn’t covered by insurance, you may need to pay for home repairs out of pocket. The amount varies based on how much damage the burst pipes caused. For example, replacing your personal belongings will depend on the value of the damaged items.
Costs you may need to cover:
Damaged items | Associated cost |
---|---|
Water pipes (replacing sections) | $350 to $1771 |
Carpet | $2 to $5 per square foot, or $350 to $750 for a standard 12-by-12 room |
Drywall | $1.50 to $3 per square foot, or $480 to $720 for standard room size |
Furniture or appliances | cost varies, often $500 to $2,000 per piece |
Frozen water pipes often lead to the pipes bursting. When the water freezes, it expands inside the pipe, putting pressure on the pipe walls. You can prevent damaged pipes due to freezing weather in several ways:
Homeowner’s insurance or renter’s insurance usually cover damage from burst water pipes, as long as the damage didn’t happen out of negligence. In addition, renter’s insurance covers damages to personal belongings when personal property coverage is chosen.
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