24/7 Emergency Service4 Costs Insurance May Cover When Your Frozen Pipes Burst
10/14/2019 (Permalink)
Insulate your pipes and turn up the thermostat
It happens every year. In Richardsville, KY, the temperature falls below freezing. When it does, there’s a possibility your pipes will freeze, too. Even if you take precautions, if the pipes burst anyway, the cost to clean up the damage may be hefty. The Insurance Information Institute reports between 2013 and 2017, insurers paid out an average of $10,234 per insurance claim for water damage and freezing. However, insurance does not pay for the actual cost of the repair.
What Insurance Covers
Most insurance companies will cover an insurance claim citing “sudden and accidental” water damage. This includes damage caused by frozen pipes. However, your insurance company will want to verify you did everything possible to keep the pipe from bursting. If they approve your claim, they may cover the following:
- Tearing out the wall to reach your pipes: The plumbers need to have a way to access your pipes, and unfortunately a wall or cabinet may have to come down.
- Restoration of your property: After fixing the pipes, walls may have to go back up or cabinets need replacing.
- Further repairs: Other parts of your house may need fixes, such as the wet carpet or ruined hardwood floors.
- Alternate living costs: You may also receive extra money for living expenses if you cannot live in your house while it is being repaired.
Your agent may pay out when you file an insurance claim for damage due to frozen pipes, but to save money, be proactive and protect your pipes before the freezing weather hits.
How To Prevent a Burst Pipe
Remove garden hoses and cover the faucets. Insulate your pipes and turn up the thermostat. Don’t forget to check the pipes that run through your attic. You can insulate all your pipes with foam insulation or heat-rated tape. A home restoration specialist can give you more tips about how to shield your house during the winter months to avoid water damage.