Are frozen pipes covered by insurance?

Frozen pipes can create real home damage. It's all bad news, from a full flood to significant water damage. The only worse information that could come along will be the news that your insurance provider refuses to pay for the damage. Though this is not necessarily the case, there are some cases under which the insurer can and will not pay for the harm caused by frozen pipes. Your insurance comapny has the burden to prove any exclusion. Don't let your insurance company get away with not paying for a perfectly valid claim. Here's what you need to do about homeowners' insurance and frozen pipes.

How Big is a Pipe Burst Deal?

CostHelper estimates that the average insurance claim for water damage caused by damaged frozen pipes is about $15,000. In other words, it's not a small thing to fix the harm caused by this sort of incident. It's not anything the insurers choose to pay if it's clear that a pipe burst should have been avoided. Keep in mind that the insurance company has the buden to prove any exclusion. Don't be a victim twice in leting them underpay your claim!

Pipes that burst due to negligence, failing to repair a pipe that has been leaking for some time, can be rejected by the insurance provider.

However, the kicker for homeowners to remember is that although individual policies would cover the frozen pipe's resulting harm, the insurance company may try to claim you have to fix it. That means the insurance company may claim that you are responsible for fixing the pipe that froze and then exploded, as well as the expense of getting the plumber to make repairs. You have rights to dispute this!

Protecting yourself to ensure that your claim is acknowledged

Nothing is more frustrating than the inability to have a water damage claim incurred by frozen pipes' rupture, especially when you believe that you did something right. There are measures you can do to reduce the chances of a rejected claim for frozen pipes, such as:

Have regular pipe inspections, practice routine maintenance, and perform quick pipe repairs when required. Keep paperwork related to such assessments, maintenance appointments, and repairs.

Know where your water shut-off valves are and use them quickly when the pipes burst to mitigate damage. Allowing the water to continue to flow excessively after a frozen pipe has burst creates preventable harm. Your insurer may reject your claim if you have not acted quickly to fix the issue.

Switch the heat on when the weather is calling for it. It doesn't have to be set high, but it needs to be warm enough inside the home to prevent the pipes from freezing whenever possible.

Isolate pipes in vulnerable areas. This involves pipes in the crawling zones, the basements, and the exterior walls of your house.

Open the doors of the cabinet to allow heat to enter the uninsulated pipes on the exterior walls. This will help ensure that the heat gets where it needs to go to protect your uninsulated pipes.

And if you're going to be away from home for a more extended time during the colder winter months, there are things you can do to help avoid frozen pipes. They shall include:

Set the thermostat to 55 degrees when you're away from home. Don't forget to swap the battery with your thermostat before you go.

Have a trustworthy friend or family member search your home when you're gone. They should make sure it's warm enough in your house and there's no sign of frozen pipes.

Consider wintering your home by turning down the water and draining your water system. Do this, particularly if you're a snowbird that's flying south for the whole winter.

Consider adding an automated water shut-off valve that detects water either by measuring the water flow in the pipe or by detecting water on the surface. If the flow is erratic or the moisture is detected, the valve will shut down the water supply to your house. They will avoid a large amount of damage caused by water leaks. Some of these devices also come with apps that allow you to regulate water flow through your phone.

Of course, when it comes to shielding your home from frozen pipes, there is no such thing as a foolproof device. The next best thing to know is how to act in a way that helps prevent frozen pipes from bursting.

Solving the Problem of Frozen Pipes

Acting to reduce the risks of pipe freezing is a significant first step. Unfortunately, the outcomes you are looking for are not always net. You need to know how to react when your pipes freeze to keep them from bursting.

Next, try thawing the pipes with a hairdryer. Don't do this in standing water, and never use a blow torch or something else with an open flame.

However, if the pipes have already burst, it is necessary to shut off the water at your home's main shut-off valve and call the plumber.

YOU CAN OBTAIN A HIGHLY SKILLED INSURANCE LAWYER

If your insurance company has refused to honor your policy despite having a valid claim, you can recover damages based on "bad faith." At Dick Law Firm, PLLC, we are committed to fighting for the total compensation you deserve. When you retain our services, we fight to protect your rights as a policyholder.

Hiring a highly-skilled property insurance attorney will help by:

Significantly increases the value of your claim
Learning all of the ins and outs of your policy
Helping you navigate the claims process and negotiations
Validating the cause and extent of the damage
Informing you if a claim denial is valid
Notifying you of all relevant insurance laws

If you have been mistreated or wronged by your insurance company, you can count on us to do everything possible to rectify the situation. We aim to resolve a claim as efficiently and effectively as possible.