What Should Homeowners Do If Pipes Burst in Winter

The leading cause for submitting a property or homeowner’s insurance claim in winter is due to burst pipes. If you need to prepare and submit a frozen pipes insurance claim you’ll likely be asking yourself, “Does my homeowners’ insurance cover frozen pipes?”. In this posting, United Public Adjusters & Appraisers, a leading public adjusters firm, will detail your responsibilities, that of your insurance carrier’s, along with tips to make the restoration process as painless as possible for you.

In the wake of discovering your home or business property’s burst pipe, you’ll need to act quickly. Your insurance company holds you responsible for initiating the cleanup, drying possessions that can be saved, and initiating the mitigation process to prevent additional damage from occurring. In other words, when you discover a burst pipe, here are the steps to take:

• Shut off the water service to your building. You may also need to shut off the electrical service if it is located near the source of the burst pipe.
• Move salvageable items to safety to allow them to dry.
• Remove as much water as possible using a sump pump if you have one, or a wet-dry vacuum. If your electric service is not in jeopardy, you may set up fans or a dehumidifier to speed the dry out process.
• Contact your plumber immediately. Be aware that your homeowner’s insurance usually does not include coverage for the repair of your burst pipe.
• Read your insurance policy and if you believe that you have damage that should be covered by your policy, contact your carrier to send an adjuster to view the damage and for guidance about submitting a claim.
• Take a cell phone video and photos of the damage for documentation purposes.

As you scan your policies to see if you have frozen pipe burst insurance coverage, be aware that a standard “all-perils” homeowners’ policy will not cover repair costs for the plumbing. However, it may, repeat may, cover resulting water damage caused by the frozen burst pipe. If the water damaged or ruined carpeting, hardwood flooring, drywall, paint, ceilings, etc. these will likely be covered. Also, costs to clean up the spill, to dry out your home to prevent mold, may also be covered. Here is where your burst pipe situation becomes tricky. If your carrier’s adjuster discovers that the burst pipe was due to a slow leak or “gradual damage”, your claim will likely be denied. Insurers do not accept ignorance of a maintenance issue, even one that is not visible, as an acceptable excuse. Citing homeowner negligence, your claim for water damage will most likely be denied.

The best policy is still that ounce of prevention. United Public Adjusters & Appraisers advises that you contact our team now for assistance. Even if you have not experienced a frozen burst pipe, we can evaluate your existing insurance policies, and make you aware of areas that need an upgrade before a setback such as flooding caused by a burst pipe, leaves you entirely responsible for the cost of repairs and replacements to your property. Another time to bring our experts on the case is for assistance in documenting, preparing, and submitting your frozen pipes insurance claim.

Our guidance can mean the difference between a low settlement offer and a just one. And, if you have received an inadequate offer from your insurer, do not respond, instead call us immediately. United Public Adjusters & Appraisers will negotiate on your behalf with your carrier to bring about a satisfactory conclusion in the form of a settlement in line with your policy’s allowances. There are many more considerations and benefits to having our team of public adjusters protecting your back. We advise you to call our office to schedule an appointment for the peace of mind, and service, you deserve.