Does Home Insurance Cover Frozen Pipes?

Freezing temperatures can turn water in your pipes into ice, leading to leaks or breaks. Our team can help you understand whether your home insurance policy covers damage from frozen pipes.

What Does Home Insurance Typically Cover?

Most standard home insurance policies include coverage for sudden and accidental water damage, which often applies when pipes freeze and burst. If a frozen pipe causes water damage inside your home, your policy may help pay for repairs and replacements for wet or damaged walls, ruined flooring and damaged personal belongings. This type of loss is usually addressed under dwelling coverage and personal property coverage.

Coverage can depend on the circumstances. Insurers generally expect homeowners to take reasonable steps to reduce the chance of damage, such as keeping the heat on during cold weather and insulating exposed pipes. If an insurer decides that neglect or lack of maintenance contributed to the loss, the claim may be denied.

What’s Usually Excluded?

While home insurance may cover the resulting water damage from a burst pipe, it typically does not pay to repair the pipe itself. Additionally, if the damage is due to long-term leaks, gradual deterioration or lack of upkeep, those situations are often excluded from coverage. Flooding from outside sources, such as heavy rain or rising rivers, is also not covered under standard home insurance and requires separate flood insurance.

How We Help Texas Homeowners

Herman Bell Insurance Agency can review your policy, identify coverage gaps and suggest ways to reduce the risk of frozen pipes. Contact us to discuss your home insurance needs.

This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.