Most homeowners insurance policies do indeed cover water damage caused by frozen pipes bursting. This often does not include the actual repair of the pipe itself, just the damage caused by the water from the pipe. And, of course, this water damage can be extremely disastrous in a very short amount of time.

Tip: Clean-Up is Policyholder's Responsibility

Our preferred contractor Superior Services of PA & MD handles our client's water damage mitigation, and we tell our frozen pipe clients to call them right away. It is the homeowner's responsibility to get the clean-up process started to mitigate and prevent further damage. Some claims are denied because the policyholder did not act immediately, so this is very important.

Frozen pipe bursts are insurable when they happen "Suddenly and by Accident"...

Another reason that frozen pipe burst water damage claims are denied is because they did not happen "suddenly and by accident". Often times a homeowner notices water damage for the first time but it is later discovered that the leak was happening over a long period of time. Since it is the responsibility of the homeowner/policyholder to be aware of any and all damage, this type of claim will be denied. This is why it is so important to have a public adjuster inspect your water damage before you file the claim on your own.

Tip: Watch Your Language...

Another common cause for denial is use of the word "flood". It may sound petty, but what our owner Eric said above is true. Insurance policy language is intentionally tricky and hard to understand, and having a professional public adjuster can help ensure that you don't have a burst pipe claim denied on a technicality. Flooding is a seperate policy, and is not covered by standard homeowners' insurance. Frozen/burst/broken pipes is not "flooding". Using the correct insurance terminology is important when filing a water damage claim!