Usually insurance pays for the damage, not the pipe. Most homeowners policies cover water damage caused by a sudden burst, but the cost to repair or replace the failed pipe itself is often treated as maintenance. Many policies do cover tearing out and replacing walls or floors to reach the pipe. Check your policy. Need both done? Call (413) 603-1274.
Usually covered vs usually not
| Usually covered (sudden burst) | Usually not covered |
|---|---|
| Water extraction and drying | The cost of the new pipe section or fitting |
| Removing and replacing wet drywall, insulation, flooring | Replacing old pipes that are wearing out |
| Tear-out to reach the pipe | Repairs for a slow leak over weeks or months |
| Damaged belongings | The worn-out water heater itself |
| Extra living costs if you must leave | Upgrades you choose to make |
General information only. Wording varies by policy.
Why the invoice should separate them
Because the plumbing repair and the water damage work are treated differently, an invoice that lumps them together can slow a claim. Ours list them separately: the pipe repair, the access, the extraction and drying, and the rebuild. See water damage insurance claim help.
Is it worth claiming?
Compare the covered part, not the whole bill, to your deductible. See should you file a claim and what changes the price.
An example
Say a copper pipe in a kitchen outside wall freezes and splits. Water runs into the cabinet, the floor and the ceiling of the basement below. A typical homeowners policy would usually pay to open the wall to reach the pipe, dry the cabinet, floor and framing, replace ruined drywall, insulation and the cabinet base, and patch and paint. The few feet of new copper and the plumber's labor to replace the split section are often treated as the cost of repairing the pipe itself and may not be paid. Policies differ, so read the water damage and "tear out" sections of yours.
What if the pipe failed from age?
If the pipe failed because it was worn out, the insurer may look harder at whether the water damage was sudden or had been building. A single sudden failure in an old pipe is still usually treated as sudden. Repeated leaks from the same worn pipe, or signs that a leak ran for weeks, are where claims run into trouble. That is one reason to replace pipe that has leaked more than once. See copper pinhole leaks.
Code upgrades
If repairs require bringing part of the plumbing up to current code, some policies include a limited amount of "ordinance or law" coverage for that extra cost. Ask your adjuster if it applies.
Keep separate invoices
Ask for the pipe repair and the water damage work on separate lines or separate invoices. That makes it easy for the adjuster to see what is covered and avoids delays while they sort out the bill.
Questions
Does insurance pay for repiping the house?
Almost never. It is seen as maintenance. See repiping.
What about a pipe that froze?
The same split applies, plus the freezing exclusion if heat was not maintained. See burst pipe insurance in Massachusetts.
Need the pipe and the damage fixed? Call
Call (413) 603-1274 now. Locally owned in Chicopee: both in one call.