Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Plumbing Leak?

Even if you do not like to hear so much about insurance, you cannot escape the reality of insuring your home, vehicle, and so on.

Life is full of unpredictable situations and one of the best ways to protect yourself is by having insurance coverage.

Insurance protects you from financial loss, it also helps to reduce the agonizing effects of uncertain losses.

When you have a plumbing leak, whether or not it is covered under your homeowner’s insurance policy will be dependent on your insurance provider.

That’s why we always advise that you read through everything you will be entitled to under an insurance cover before going ahead with the company.

Also, it is very possible for your next-door neighbor to have their plumbing leak covered, while you do not have the same coverage under your homeowner’s insurance package.

Everything that concerns your homeowner’s insurance cover is usually documented in your product description statement, and it is so essential that you read it and ask questions if need be, so as to avoid disappointments in the future.

Let’s consider some of the important terminologies that can better explain the relationship between insurance and plumbing leaks.

Here they are:

Water Damage Clause

This section of your insurance policy clearly defines the exact water damage coverage that is accessible to you.

it also states areas that are not covered, such as home repairs or floods that could have been avoided, if only you had paid close attention to them.

Always ensure that you read and understand the water damage clause before giving in to the terms of your insurer.

By so doing you will be able to confidently place a claim when water damages your home.

Water Damage

Sudden and accidental damage occurs when there’s damage caused by a pipe burst or flood, while gradual water damage is as a result of a slow plumbing leak.

That said, the former is covered by insurance whereas gradual water damage is not covered by insurance.

Plumbing leaks can be caused by several factors including a burst pipe, faulty faucets, a damaged pipe, and so on.

Find out from your insurer if this coverage is also under your insurance policy.

Gradual Water Damage

The word gradual already connotes steady damage that happens over a period of time.

One of such includes the build-up of mold, it doesn’t happen instantly, as many may have thought. Other examples are

• A decaying electrical wiring
• Pending home repairs
• Leaking pipes
• Visible parts and your home that needs to be repaired

Most insurers believe that these instances are tangible and common among homeowners; hence, they are not likely to be covered by insurance.

As always we strongly advise that you check with your insurer to know the extent of the coverage that you are entitled to.

What Are The Basic Things That You Should Not Expect Under Your Homeowners Insurance Premium?

Structural Damage

Don’t be surprised if you find out that your home is not covered for issues related to your building, it might be because the damage is synonymous to gradual water damage.

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Proper Maintenance

If your insurer discovers that the damage could have been avoided if you had done proper maintenance, then they are not likely to extend insurance coverage to you, even if you file a claim.

Tree Roots Damage

What happens when the root of a tree is responsible for your plumbing fault? When this occurs, there is no guarantee that your insurer will cover it.

Plumbing Leaks

Great news! The cost of fixing your burst or leaking pipe may not be covered by the insurance company.

However, if you are able to identify where the leak is, your insurance company can bear the cost of the damages.

It is okay to find out from your insurer, the exact amount they will be contributing to your plumbing leak.

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How To Minimize Plumbing Leaks

Instead of getting yourself all worked up over what would be covered under your homeowner’s insurance policy, focus on how to manage your plumbing leaks, at least the ones you have control over.

One of the best ways to achieve this is through scheduled maintenance. It is not as easy to do, but you can always plan it with your plumber.

Know when you need to replace your faucets, flush clean water through your pipe, etc.

You don’t always have to wait till these items break down completely.

Decide that you will prioritize maintenance, that’s a great place to start.

Conclusion

Having good home insurance coverage is great, but what if you have a plumber who can maintain your plumbing systems, in such a way that leaves you very little to worry about what’s under your coverage or not, would that be better?