Does Homeowner's Insurance Cover Water Lines?

Your Greensboro homeowners insurance policy is designed to cover a great number of perils, however, it may also not cover some things that you assumed it might. Coverage of damaged water lines is something that may or may not be covered, depending on certain conditions. These conditions can best be understood by carefully reading your policy and, if you're unclear about anything you read, getting together with your insurance agent or broker for a detailed explanation.

Sudden and Unexpected

One important phrase that likely applies as a condition in your Greensboro homeowners insurance coverage is “sudden and unexpected.” As a condition to any acceptable insurance claim, the event causing the damage must first be determined by your insurer to be both unexpected and sudden. This may include water damage resulting from a burst water pipe or a ruptured water heater, but with certain exceptions. Here are some examples of home water damage that are probably not covered by a standard homeowners insurance policy:

• A leak that's the result of wear and tear or old age
• A leak that's the result of lack of maintenance, such as one that started out slowly but was allowed to progress unattended
• Water damage that could have been prevented, such as frozen pipes that burst inside your home because the heat was turned off during cold weather while you were away
• A flooded or backed up sewage system is typically not covered
• Water damage or water line damage caused by ground water or flooding is typically not covered by your standard Greensboro homeowners insurance policy, although specialized flood insurance may be purchased separately

Two Types of Coverage in Your Policy

Sudden and unexpected damage caused by a burst water line or pipe within your home will likely be covered by your insurance policy and the claim may fall under two different sections of your coverage. If a wall, floor, ceiling or any other part of your home's structure is damaged and requires repair, your dwelling coverage will likely help pay for the needed repairs.

If you have personal property that becomes damaged as a result of a water event that's deemed a covered peril, it will be the personal property coverage in your policy that will help repair or replace the damaged items. This could be a computer or electronic sound system, furniture, clothing or other items susceptible to being damaged or destroyed by water.