Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Plumbing?

Navigation

Is plumbing covered under standard homeowners insurance policies?
When and how does homeowners insurance cover plumbing?
Why doesn’t homeowners insurance cover plumbing?
If homeowners insurance doesn’t cover plumbing, what will?
Expert(s) Found on this Page

Is plumbing covered under standard homeowners insurance policies?

As a new homeowner, I’m curious about what all is covered under my insurance. Sometimes I worry about my plumbing system and the possibility of pipes breaking and causing leaks or even flooding. I don’t want to get stuck paying for the plumbing system repairs and any resulting water damage at the same time. Is plumbing covered under standard homeowners insurance policies?

Not exactly. Standard homeowners insurance policies provide coverage for the damage caused BY leaking pipes, faucets, etc. because water damage is a covered peril. You’d also get reimbursed for temporary living arrangements, such as a hotel room, under your loss of use coverage if the water damage was so bad that it made your home uninhabitable during repairs. But your homeowners insurance won’t cover the actual plumbing.

When and how does homeowners insurance cover plumbing?

Your homeowners insurance will only provide coverage for damage caused by and around your plumbing system. There are two main ways your policy covers you, and we’ll break each down.

Homeowners insurance typically covers the following scenarios related to plumbing issues:

• Water damage: Since water damage is covered by homeowners policies, your insurance company will pay to repair the damage caused by leaking or busted pipes, faucets, etc. in many cases. Your personal property that gets damaged by the water is usually also covered. Resulting mold or mildew is usually covered, too.
• Destruction necessary to get to the plumbing system: In order to get to those leaking or busted pipes, etc., you’ll often have to tear through the wall, or maybe even through the foundation. Your homeowners policy will cover the damage done to the house to get TO the plumbing system for repairs, but not for the replacement of any pipes or other plumbing equipment.

You can work with an independent insurance agent to review your specific homeowners policy if you’d like more clarification on the exact coverage you have concerning your home’s plumbing. However, standard policies do not include replacement coverage for the actual plumbing equipment in any scenario. Your homeowners insurance will only protect you from the resulting damage.

Why doesn’t homeowners insurance cover plumbing?

Simply because most causes of plumbing issues are not covered perils under homeowners insurance. Typically, pipes, etc. burst because of negligence on the homeowner’s part, or their failure to keep up with routine maintenance to their plumbing. Pipes may also burst in extreme cold temperatures if the homeowner fails to keep the heat on. Last, underground pipes may burst due to natural disasters such as earthquakes, which are another non-covered peril.

If homeowners insurance doesn’t cover plumbing, what will?

Your homeowners insurance policy will provide coverage for damage done by the plumbing issue and any destruction to your home that is necessary to get to the plumbing system for repair or replacement. But there’s not any type of insurance policy out there that actually covers busted pipes or other plumbing equipment.

That being said, you may find coverage for pipes and other plumbing equipment that bursts due to earthquakes, landslides, or soil changes under a special type of policy known as earth movement insurance. An independent insurance agent can help you find the right policy for your needs.